Parang, Maguindanao del Norte - A wave of community engagement has swept across the five municipalities of the Iranun Development Council (IDC) as diverse sectors actively participated in a series of Local Stakeholder and Community Consultations throughout April 2025. Spearheaded by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), these consultations aimed to ensure that upcoming development projects, generously funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), are truly reflective of the unique needs and priorities of each locality within the IDC.

The enthusiastic participation spanned a wide spectrum of society, including civil society organizations, the private sector, the academe, solo mothers and women's groups, both in-school and out-of-school youth, differently abled persons, local farmers and fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, traditional leaders, barangay officials, and Sangguniang Bayan members. This inclusive approach underscores a commitment to fostering a more responsive and impactful path towards development in the region.

Building on the insights gathered during these consultations, the IDC is set to roll out capacity development training sessions this year focusing on vital livelihood programs. These include aquaculture, fisheries and marine resources management, innovative food processing techniques, sustainable agriculture practices, and livestock raising. Complementary feasibility studies, directly informed by the priorities voiced by the local communities, will also be conducted to ensure the long-term success and viability of these initiatives.

This renewed momentum builds upon the relaunch of the inter-LGU cooperation among the five municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Parang, and Sultan Mastura in February 2025. This revitalization has injected a palpable sense of unity and collaboration into the Iranun corridor within Maguindanao del Norte, part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The formalization of this commitment was marked by the signing of a memorandum of agreement and the inauguration of the newly established IDC office in Parang on February 19.

READ: Iranun Corridor in BARMM Poised for Development Boost with Revitalized Alliance

The IDC's journey began in 2002 under the leadership of then-Parang Mayor Ibrahim Ibay and was officially launched by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Initially conceived to address the urgent needs for relief and rehabilitation following the 2001 conflict between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the council experienced a period of significant activity until 2013, followed by a period of relative inactivity. Under the guidance of former three-term Barira Mayor Alexander Tomawis from 2010 onwards, the IDC achieved notable milestones. These included the establishment of the vital Iranun Communication and Emergency Response Center (IRA511), the influential Iranun Supreme Council for Peace and Development (ISCPD), the community-focused Iranun Radio Station DXIB (100.7 Khz), and crucial support for the registration of the Iranun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). In 2012, in partnership with IAG and Development Consultant (DevCon), and with the support of the Australian Government, the IDC developed the ambitious Iranun Sustainable Integrated Area Development and the Iranun Agro-Industrial Growth Area (SIAD-IAGA) Plan.

While the SIAD-IAGA Plan was adopted with considerable optimism, its progress was unfortunately hampered by the absence of adequate peace infrastructure. However, the establishment of the BARMM in 2019 has ushered in a renewed opportunity to strengthen governance frameworks and foster inclusive economic development across the region. The revitalized IDC, with its strong foundation of community engagement and inter-LGU collaboration, is now strategically positioned to capitalize on this opportune moment and work diligently towards realizing its full potential for the benefit of the Iranun people.