The island groups is home to numerous Indigenous Communities including the 7 Mangyan tribes of Mindoro; the 5 Ethnolinguistic groups in the Palawan archipelago; the Aboriginal Ati peoples of Panay and Negros, the Mangyan-Taga bukid Romblon and the Palawan, Tagbanwa, Batak, Ken-uy, and Molbog peoples of the Palawan archipelago.

The last remaining Indigenous groups that continue to possess and practice the usage of ancient script and writing systems are located in this region. The Buhid and Hanuoo People of Mindoro along with the Tagbanwa of Palawan are now the only remaining Filipino people who utilize the centuries old indigenous system of writing. It is expected that isf the the situation does not improve within the next couple of decades, these skills will be lost forever.

The main threats and problems that beset the IPs in this region are similar to those being faced by other communities in other parts of the country. These include mining activities in Mindoro and Palawan, massive cattle ranches in Mindoro which encroach into ancestral domains among others.

However, due to the island characteristics and the natural beauty of the region, the issue of tourism and the influx of development activities that it has brought in is very distinct for the island groups. Tagbanwa communities of Northern Palawan have decried the rampant and widespread island grabbing activities of investors. this has resulted into numerous communities being kicked out of their lands and prevented from pursuing their traditional livelihood activities.

In the world famous Boracay beach located in Panay, only 21 families of the aboriginal Aeta remain. They now live at the island dumpsite where they eke out a living and are forced to pay weekly rentals to the former Mayor of the town. The Indigenous Tagbanwa of Calauit island in Palawan on the other hand have endured years of continuous demolition and displacement to make way for the exotic African Savannah animals brought in by the former dictator. Calauit island has since become a major tourist destination churning out precious dollars for the local economy.