LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental, Philippines — The Iranun Development Council (IDC) delegation concluded its Study Tour on Inter-Local Cooperation on April 27, 2026, in Misamis Oriental after visiting the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) to learn its coastal governance and inter-LGU coordination practices.
The Macajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) is an inter-local government unit (LGU) alliance composed of the Province of Misamis Oriental and 14 coastal cities and municipalities surrounding Macajalar Bay.
The delegation was received by the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental through Special Assistant to the Governor Celso Abucejo, and by the Municipality of Laguindingan through Mayor Atty. Roy Macua.
During the engagement, MBDA Program Manager Kimberly Augusto presented the alliance’s key initiatives, including policy coordination among member LGUs, strengthened coastal law enforcement, and the implementation of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). These programs promote the sustainable use, protection, and rehabilitation of coastal and marine ecosystems while strengthening collaboration among government agencies, communities, and development partners for long-term environmental sustainability and livelihood development.
The learning visit also included a site tour of the Aquamarine Park in Barangay Tubajon, where Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and ecosystem-based coastal resource management practices were showcased.
The IDC expressed appreciation to MBDA for its hospitality and for sharing its experiences and best practices in inter-LGU cooperation and coastal governance.
The IDC said it will apply key lessons from the study tour by adapting relevant strategies and strengthening its alliance mechanisms to further advance sustainable development and resource management across its member municipalities. The activity marked the conclusion of the IDC Study Tour on Inter-Local Cooperation, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), with support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID Philippines).
