Mayor Jose T. Villarosa has pledged to provide livelihood, medical and educational support for the Mangyans.

The San Jose mayor made the made the announcement during the orientation in San Jose on Republic Act 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous People’s Right Act.

Villarosa said the municipality will provide agricultural and livelihood support, like the distribution of farm animals such as carabaos (water buffalo) and goats. Free seedlings will also be given to the Mangyans.

He also vowed to fast track the construction of several farm-to-market roads, leading to the Mangyan communities so they can easily transport their products to the market.

Some scholarship requirements will also be waived to make it easier for the indigenous people to avail of the local government’s educational assistance, he said.

Free medical services and medicines will also be given, Villarosa said.

At the same time, the municipal government will construct a Mangyan hall, where members of Mindoro’s ethnic communities can gather, he said.

Villarosa said it is just fitting for the Mangyans to accorded such services by the municipal government, saying they, after all, are the original inhabitants of Mindoro island.