ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The delegation of the Iranun Development Council (IDC) officially launched its week-long Study Tour on Inter-Local Cooperation in Iloilo City, arriving in the “City of Love” ahead of its scheduled learning engagements on inter-municipal governance and development models.
The study tour formally began on April 23, 2026, with a series of site visits showcasing Iloilo City’s approaches to urban development, local economic growth, and public space management.
The delegation visited the Iloilo Esplanade, followed by the Iloilo Terminal Market and Iloilo Central Market, both of which were developed through public-private partnership arrangements. These projects were presented as examples of how collaboration with the private sector can improve public market systems and enhance service delivery.
In the afternoon, the IDC delegation engaged with the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC), an inter-local government body established through Executive Order No. 559 in 2006. The council is mandated to formulate, coordinate, and monitor programs and projects that promote economic development across Iloilo City, nearby municipalities, and the Province of Guimaras.
The session included a presentation from the MIGEDC Project Management Office, followed by an open forum that facilitated exchanges on governance practices and inter-LGU coordination. The day concluded with reflections from the IDC delegation, which organizers said helped set the tone for deeper learning in the succeeding activities.
Leading the delegation are Parang Mayor and IDC Chairperson Cahar P. Ibay, Matanog Mayor and IDC Vice Chairperson Zohria S. Bansil-Guro, Buldon Mayor Pahmia A. Manalao-Masurong, and Barira Mayor Abdul Rauf D. Tomawis.
They are joined by vice mayors Sanaira I. Ali-Imam of Matanog, Abolais A. Manalao of Buldon, and Bahrain M. Dagalangit of Barira, as well as IDC Executive Director Saipona Zaman, Deputy Executive Director May Quesada, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators, and members of the Technical Working Group under the IDC Alliance Management Office.
The study tour is part of the IDC’s efforts to strengthen inter-local cooperation by learning from established governance models such as MIGEDC. The delegation is expected to visit two more inter-LGU alliances, including another within Iloilo and a succeeding leg in Cagayan de Oro City. The activity is organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), with funding support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID Philippines), as part of ongoing initiatives to strengthen inter-LGU collaboration and governance systems in the Bangsamoro region.
