This paper contributes to the scant body of literature on inequalities among and within ethnic groups
in the Philippines by examining both the vertical and horizontal measures in terms of opportunities
in accessing basic services such as education, electricity, safe water, and sanitation. The study also
provides a glimpse of the patterns of inequality in Mindanao. The results show that there are significant
inequalities in opportunities in accessing basic services within and among ethnic groups in the
Philippines. Muslims (particularly the indigenous people) are the worst-off ethnic groups while the nonindigenous/
non-Muslim groups are the better-off groups. Disparities in terms of literacy rate and
access to electricity and sanitation between ethnic groups, however, appear to be narrowing between
2000 and 2010.
