AJUY, Iloilo, Philippines — The Iranun Development Council (IDC) delegation continued its Study Tour on Inter-Local Cooperation on April 24, 2026, with a visit to the Municipality of Ajuy, Iloilo, as part of the Panay Island learning exchange focused on inter-LGU governance and collaboration.

The visit aimed to provide the IDC delegation with direct insights into the governance practices of the Northern Iloilo Alliance for Development (NIAD), an inter-local government unit (LGU) alliance composed of 11 municipalities in Northern Iloilo. NIAD serves as a collaborative platform for coordinating local development initiatives, particularly in the management of shared marine and coastal resources and the promotion of community-based livelihood programs in the region.

The IDC delegation was warmly received by NIAD Chairperson and Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul “Bongbong” Tupas, former NIAD Chair and Concepcion Mayor Millard Villanueva, Ajuy Mayor Loida Espinosa, Lemery Mayor Oscar Villegas, Iloilo Board Member Dr. Darl Tupas, former San Dionisio Mayor Peter Paul Lopez, and Barotac Viejo Vice Mayor Vivian Buenavista.

During the engagement, NIAD officials shared their experiences, governance mechanisms, and best practices in sustaining inter-municipal cooperation, particularly in coastal resource management and joint development planning.

The IDC expressed its appreciation to the NIAD leadership and the Municipality of Ajuy for their hospitality and for openly sharing their institutional experiences and successful practices in inter-LGU collaboration. The activity forms part of the ongoing IDC Study Tour on Inter-Local Cooperation organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), with support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID Philippines), as part of efforts to strengthen governance and cooperation among IDC member municipalities.