Intersecting Dimensions of Education, Health, and Indigenous Knowledge System: A Multisectoral Case Study of the Agta Community in Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines

Abstract

This Special Problem examines the intersecting dimensions of education, health, and Indigenous Knowledge System within the Agta community of Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines. Acknowledging the longstanding inequities experienced by Indigenous Peoples, the study employs a multisectoral case study approach to analyze how cultural, social, and institutional factors collectively influence the community’s educational engagement and health-care practices. It further explores how these factors shape their pursuit of an improved quality of life amid changing environmental and socio-cultural conditions. Data were gathered through in-depth interview with the Agta respondents and key informants, and observation within the Agta community. The findings reveal that educational practices and their acceptance within the Agta community are increasingly aligned with modernization, while health-care practices remain deeply rooted in their IKS. The study also identifies key barriers– such as distance from education and health facilities, limited financial resources, inadequate government support, discrimination, and gaps in intercultural communication - that affect the quality of services available to the community. Overall, the study recommends that government interventions for the Agta community particularly through NCIP, be culturally responsive, community-driven, and multisectoral, with the integration of IKS into both education and health programming. Strengthening Philippine IP-related policies, particularly the IPRA, is highly recommended to ensure protection, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall quality of life of the Agta community and Indigenous Peoples in general.