RESILIENCY AMIDST VULNERABILITY: A STORY OF THE INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES-INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' EXPERIENCES IN MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF PANDEMIC IN THE PHILIPPINES

Indigenous Peoples worldwide are most vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic. They are at a disadvantage when it comes to adequate access to health care services. However, traditional behavior, indigenous health practices, and belief systems make them more resilient to the public health crisis. The study is a narrative of experiences of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples' (ICCs/IPs') resilience to the pandemic in the province of Nueva Ecija in the Philippines. It used the mixed-method of research to gather and analyze data within the framework of the resilience-vulnerability model. Findings show that ICCs/IPs, seldom access health services in terms of health practitioners, health facilities, and medical supplies. Through their traditional practices, they develop resilience during the pandemic. While there is no significant relationship between resiliency and vulnerability, there is a significant relationship between the Demographic Profile and the Resiliency of the indigenous peoples. It is recommended that a similar study be undertaken using other ICCs/IPs in other parts of the country as the subject of inquiry to establish a segregated database on the government's access to health services.