State of Organizing and role of CSOs in the IP Sector the furtherance of the divisions among the ranks of the IP sector. The enactment of the IPRA has ignited a substantial growth in the number of NGOs and other social development organizations working with IP communities. Prior to the passage of the law there was a dearth of capable groups specializing on IP issues. While the increased number of NGOs working on IP issues bodes well for the future, this has also raised the incidence of conflicts with communities. There have been numerous instances where well-meaning NGOs, with little or no exposure to the cultures and ways of IP communities but very eager to implement projects, have generated local conflicts among community members. The picture, though, is promising. While there are very strong challenges against the IPs in the Philippines, there are very clear signals that show growth and progress in the sector. While the IPOs still need to build their capacity, most civil society groups working with the sector now have IP community members among their ranks. In fact in some groups, the majority of the staff and officers of the organization come from the ranks of indigenous communities. Thus, this explains why the IP agenda clearly resonates in most IP support groups’ activities and policy directions. Indigenous communities have clearly benefited from the assistance and support provided by NGOs and other advocates. Currently there are hundreds of indigenous peoples organizations (IPOs) in the country actively engaged in various activities and are in partnership with the civil, development agencies including Government. Currently there are several active national coalitions of IP communities, the Katutubong Samahan ng Pilipinas (KASAPI), the Kalipunan ng Mamayang Pilipino (KAMP) and the National Coalition of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines (NCIPP). Under these national aggrupations are several layers of regional, provincial as well as local IPOs all over the Philippines. There still divisions within the indigenous peoples movement in the Philippines. This is expected due to the volatility of the issues that are being tackled by the sector and the intensity of the personalities involved as well. However, it must be said that there are instances where the civil society and government must share the blame in 106 Opportunities and strategies to advance Indigenous Peoples’ Customary Rights The issue of climate change is at the top of the list and acknowledged as the priority agenda of the Philippine Government. In order to ensure the country’s adaptability to the effects of climate change, the Philippines is a signatory to many International Covenants and Agreements that provide the international framework to address the impacts of climate change. Most noteworthy of these is the CBD which has set several targets to achieve biodiversity conservation. Target 11, one of the most important in the CBD, aims to achieve by 2020, that “at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes” (Convention on Biodiversity, Aichi Target 11). Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC)