From War Zones to Economic Zones: Bangsamoro Mayors Collaborate for Sustainable Peace and Development 

In 2000, Philippine President Joseph Estrada launched an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, culminating in the Battle of Camp Abubakar that scarred what was then the province of Maguindanao. 

More than two decades later, local leaders are forging a path toward sustainable peace and development. 

On February 19, 2025, the mayors of the neighboring towns of Parang, Barira, Buldon, Matanog, and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao del Norte signed a memorandum of agreement, formalizing their partnership focused on sustainable development and economic cooperation. 

That agreement was one of the outcomes of the Building Resilience and Inclusion through Democratic Governance and Engagements, or BRIDGE, program, an initiative supported by the U.K. Government in partnership with The Asia Foundation, or TAF, and Galing Pook Foundation. Under the program, a cohort of mayors from the Iranun Development Council completed a six-month Local Government Unit Fellowship Program on social cohesion and resilience. The fellowship program aims to build a community of practice among local government units, equipping leaders with the skills to implement solutions to violence and conflict that foster social cohesion and resilience. 

While TAF supported the ideation of the MOA through the BRIDGE Fellowship program, it is important to note that the MOA signing event on February 19, was organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, or IAG, with funding support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. IAG has been actively collaborating with the Iranun municipalities, and the combined efforts of various development partners have strengthened the commitment of the five local chief executives to shaping a better future for the Iranun communities. 

The day of the signing ceremony formalizing their partnership, the members of the executive committee of the Iranun Development Council, or IDC, along with representatives from the staff of all the municipalities participated in a workshop facilitated by their fellowship mentors under BRIDGE. During the session, they identified actionable steps to implement their plans and ensure the long-term success of their initiatives. 

The signing was an evolution of a process that began in December 2024, when as part of the BRIDGE fellowship the five mayors from communities of Iranun people came together to reestablish a previous initiative that sought to address peace and development challenges in their municipalities. As part of this process, TAF facilitated discussions that shaped the memorandum of agreement, ensuring it reflected the shared vision of the Iranun leaders for their communities. 

“In recent years, we saw that our Iranun leaders have not been united, which led to slower development in our area,” Mayor Abdul Rauf Tomawis of Barira said, emphasizing the long-standing divisions among their communities. 

They hope that the agreement, which established the Iranun Development Council—an inter-municipality body focused on sustainable development and economic cooperation—will bridge those divisions. The leaders inaugurated the council at the February signing ceremony. 

Through the initiative, the Iranun people can expect long-term economic growth and improved delivery of social services, among other benefits outlined in the agreement. It emphasizes cooperation among the local government units of the member municipalities to enhance peace and order, infrastructure development, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. With each municipality allocating funds to support the council’s programs, the Iranun Development Council will also coordinate policies and initiatives that generate jobs, attract investments, and ensure the sustainable management of resources. This initiative promotes transparency and context-based planning and decision-making. 

“This council is a powerful declaration that these five local government units are ready to shape their own destiny and build institutions that reflect their aspirations and take full ownership of their development,” said Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Minister of Interior and Local Government Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba in a speech delivered by Tarhata Balading, Maguindanao del Norte provincial director of the ministry.  

In a previous event, Andrew Bowes of the British Embassy Manila underscored the essence of sustainable peace, stating: “This is what sustainable peace is built on—not just policies but people working together, sharing ideas, and leading with integrity.” He highlighted the critical role of local leaders in fostering stability, emphasizing that “real, lasting peace is built from the ground up, and leaders like you make the biggest difference.” 

This alliance among the Iranun mayors marks a transformative shift from conflict-driven governance to a collaborative approach centered on sustainable peace and development. Through their commitment, the once conflict-affected neighboring towns are now on a trajectory toward stability. 

“This journey is one which will give the Bangsamoro a good model—a model that shows unity,” said Marivel Sacendoncillo, former undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and mentor of the municipalities in their fellowship. 

May Quesada, deputy executive director of the council, emphasized that the revitalization of the Iranun Development Council is more than just a formal agreement, “It is a renewed commitment to unity, progress, and inclusive development for the Iranun people.”