The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) recently returned to Midsayap, North Cotabato, to conduct a comprehensive voter education orientation for students of Notre Dame of Midsayap College (NDMC). Approximately 150 students, many of whom are first-time voters, and faculty members participated in the session. The orientation covered essential topics such as voter registration, election day procedures, and understanding the ballot. To enhance civic engagement, the session also included a detailed exploration of active citizenship and social participation.

Fifty of the participating students furthered their learning by honing their facilitation skills and developing effective engagement strategies. They created informative TikTok clips to promote voter education and formulated action plans to foster civic engagement within their communities.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will conduct its first parliamentary election in 2025, parallel with the mid-term national and local elections.

NDMC serves students from both North Cotabato province and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the BARMM. The SGA, comprising 63 barangays across six municipalities in North Cotabato, became part of BARMM following a two-part plebiscite in early 2019. On April 13, 2024, eight new municipalities were established from these barangays.

IAG and NDMC established a strategic partnership on March 8, 2024, with the aim of enhancing civic education and research efforts within the SGA. This recent activity at NDMC marks the second in a series of collaborative initiatives. The partnership between IAG and NDMC underscores their commitment to promoting democracy, rule of law, human rights, and pluralism as essential foundations for sustainable peace and development in the region. The activity is part of IAG's political dialogue program supported by the Australian Government.