The number, variety and political prominence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Philippines presents a unique opportunity to study citizen activism. Philippine NGOs provide an avenue for political participation and a mechanism for redressing the inequalities of society unequaled elsewhere in South East Asia. This book brings together research on these organizations and their programmes, addressing their political significance. The essays are based on rural and urban NGOs and document the transformation in the character of civil society and evaluate its impact on the state. It defines the context within which NGOs function, details the response of NGOs to enduring social, economic and ecological issues of Philippine society and records the interactions between citizen groups and the Philippine state.