Mulbog IPs in Balabac doing land use domain coding identifying the sacred zones of their ancestral domain. Photo by Dave de Vera Target 11 can only be achieved if the Government, as well as other sectors in Philippine society, set in place the proper policies and process for the recognition of the critical role that the indigenous communities play in the protection and conservation of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the Philippines. The data presented earlier clearly illustrates the importance of the traditional governance and resource management systems of indigenous communities with regard to the conservation of the environment in the country. This international commitment to the CBD can provide an opportunity for indigenous communities to work alongside government and lobby for the full implementation of the IPRA. Under the IPRA, indigenous communities can secure titles and define their own indigenous community conservation areas (ICCAs) and enforce their traditional resource management systems in these areas. Hence, KBAs in the country would be provided with an effective area-based conservation governance measure. As custodians and owners of the last remaining natural resources in the Philippines, indigenous communities can look at the viability of engaging other sectors and resource-users in demanding and negotiating for payment for ecosystem services (PES). PES are incentives offered to farmers or landowners in exchange for managing their land to provide some sort of Lok Niti 107

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents