The Tagbanua of Palawan: A Community Rooted in Tradition, Facing Modern Challenges

The Tagbanua people (comprised of Tagbanua, Cuyonon and Calamian) , one of the Philippines' indigenous groups, live mostly in the islands of Coron and Culion in Palawan. This serene, natural paradise is home to around 20,000 Tagbanua individuals who are proud bearers of their culture and traditions, passed down through generations. But behind the stunning landscapes lies a story of hardship and resilience. Despite their deep connection to the land, the Tagbanua people face significant barriers to opportunity and stability, especially when it comes to education, employment, and escaping the cycle of poverty.

Imagine living in a place where education is more of a dream than a given, where daily life revolves around fishing and small-scale farming just to meet basic needs. Many Tagbanua rely on fishing and farming for survival. While this way of life is rich in tradition, it also means their income is unpredictable, often too low to cover essentials, let alone save for the future or invest in education.

For the Tagbanua, pursuing higher education is uncommon, largely due to the remoteness of their communities and the lack of schools accessible by road. Most young people in these villages don’t make it past elementary school. With little education, they have limited options for sustainable employment. They are highly dependent on natural resources, which are vulnerable to environmental shifts and have even dwindled in some areas due to climate change and overfishing, affecting their primary source of livelihood.

To preserve the Tagbanua culture and the land they call home, the Philippine government has made strides to protect their heritage and grant them rights to ancestral lands. In 1998, the Tagbanua of Coron received a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), a significant legal recognition that allows them ownership and stewardship over approximately 22,000 hectares of land and sea. These titles empower communities with more control over their territories, preserving cultural practices, traditional fishing rights, and sacred areas.

These policies lay the groundwork for preserving the Tagbanua’s heritage and lands; however, there remains a need for greater infrastructure, resources, and opportunities to support their journey out of poverty. Basic facilities, like schools and healthcare centers, are still lacking, and economic opportunities remain sparse. Without access to education and stable income opportunities, many are left in the same cycle of hardship as generations before them.

Breaking the cycle of poverty for the Tagbanua means combining cultural preservation with access to modern opportunities. WE Foundation is dedicated to providing the resources, tools, infrastructure, and improved access to education and healthcare needed to empower these communities. By supporting these efforts, you’re helping to create sustainable change for the Tagbanua, fostering hope and opportunity for future generations. Join us in making a difference today!