Indigenous Water, Sanitation and Hygienic WaSH Practices: The Case of the IP Community in Barangay Lower Panaga, Panabo, Philippines

Every Filipino has a right to good health, especially those individuals who belong to marginalized sectors. This study explores the health realities of the members of Indigenous People (IP) community in Panabo City, with the hope to promote Basic Health Science Education (HSE) to these indigenous peoples. Utilizing an adapted and modified Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) questionnaire, it was revealed that the way of life of the IPs in Barangay Lower Panaga had been influenced by the non-IP population they live with. It is evident that they already have improved knowledge, attitude and practices in the way they manage water, sanitation, solid waste, and hygiene promotion. However, it also emerged from the results the lack of knowledge of these IP members on the government programs they can avail, especially on health care services. Apparently, there are still indigenous practices they employ in their daily lives, which usually lead to poor health outcomes compared to their non-IP counterparts. Like any other IP communities, financial unstableness remains evident in this area. Hence, this study documented the realities of life of the indigenous peoples to stimulate the attention of the local leaders, especially those in the academe to pass over pedagogical efforts in helping this marginalized sector. It is hoped and expected that education can bring light to one of the identified Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Davao del Norte.