The province has a total population of 559,294 as of CY-2000 of which the Indigenous Peoples represent about 56% or 312,064. The household size of the IPs ranges from 5-8 members. Big numbers of household members is attributed to their culture in which married children are still living with their parents due to extended family ties. In the average, 60% of the IPs populations are members of the labor force. Children with ages below 15 years old are utilized as part of the labor force. For IPs residing in the upland, they are engaged in hauling falcata logs, rattan gathering, harvesting tree plantation species and upland farming. Lowland IPs are loaders of falcata logs, harvester of rice, laborer for lowland farm cultivation. For IPs in the marshland, they are engaged in inland fishing in rivers and lakes, buy and sell their catch and deliver them to the public market near their residence. All of these labor activities engaged by IPs are not stable. IP laborers are receiving P80.00 – P150.00 a day, depending on the nature of their work. For falcata loaders (6-8 persons) they earn P2,500.00 to – P3,500.00 per one (1) full truck loading. Expenses of IPs are equal or more than what they earn in a day. Lowland and marshland IPs line on a break even basis of their income. The average annual income of IPs in the upland or lowland ranges from P16,000 to P30,000 per year per family. Indigenous peoples who reaches adolescence is mostly married. Members of the families with ages 16 and above and who have no chance of going to school usually due to early marriages.

The enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act has resulted in eight Certificates of Ancestral Domain Claims covering 165,000 ha with 14,000 IP beneficiaries. IPs residing in the upland is engaged in hauling of falcata logs, rattan gathering, harvesting in tree plantations, and upland farming. Lowland IPs on the other hand, is loaders of falcata logs, harvester of rice, and farm workers. Marshland IPs is engaged in farming and fishing. IP laborers received from Php 80 to 150 a day with an annual income of Php 16,000 to Php 30,000 a year per family.

The Indigenous People remain as one of the most marginalized sector in the province. Among the problems that confront the IPs are:

•    Weak leadership
•    Desecration of sacred places
•    Non-recognition of territorial rights
•    Deterioration of customs, traditions and cultural values
•    Educational problems (mainstreamed and indigenous knowledge and skills)
•    Health and sanitation
•    Low family income and agricultural productivity
•    Conflicting land tenure and instrument
•    Poor and inadequate infrastructure facilities