On September 23, 2011, Sagittarius Mines, Inc., a joint venture between global giant Glencore, Australia's Indophil Resources, and Filipino firm Tampakan Group of Companies, organised a public consultation in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Philippines, to present the results of a series of feasibility studies including the results of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and inherent “safety, merits and sustainability” of the planned US$5.8-billion Tampakan Copper-Gold mining Project.

Quezon City—Around 150 indigenous peoples from all over the country gathered at the SEAMEO Innotech Center in this city for a groundbreaking three-day national summit to affirm the National Indigenous Peoples’ Policy Agenda and formulate a common IP Action Plan for upholding their rights. The policy agenda and its action plan will comprise the sector’s major recommendations to the legislative and executive branches of the Philippine government.

In partnership with the Kalahan Educational Foundation (KEF), PAFID conducted the pilot training on carbon sequestration. The training was held in Imugan, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya on 01- 04 February 2011. It seeks to develop the abilities of local communities in measuring the carbon sequestration capacities of their ancestral domains.

The training involved familiarization with the attendant issues on climate change and carbon trading. Actual sample plotting were conducted to compute and project the carbon sequestration capacity of a certain parcel of forestland. The training is part of the small project supported by the International Land Coalition (ILC).

FUNDESO of Spain and PAFID recently signed a collaboration agreement to implement a project in two (2) communities in Maria Aurora, Aurora. The project aims to contribute to the reduction of poverty and improving the living conditions of the indigenous Ilongot community in Bayanihan, and the community of migrant Igorots in Kadayakan.

Among others, the project will support the development of potable water systems, provide livelihood support and technical assistance to increase farm production.

In the Philippines, the battle of indigenous communities for their rights to their domains has been, and remains to be a hard-fought struggle.