KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – 02 December 2025. A 36-member delegation of local government units (LGUs) from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Sulu completed a week-long International Benchmarking Visit on Social Cohesion and Resilience in Malaysia from 25 to 30 November 2025.

The learning mission forms part of the Local Government Fellowship Program on Social Cohesion and Resilience jointly implemented by The Asia Foundation (TAF) Philippines and the Galing Pook Foundation with support from the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. The benchmarking was facilitated by the Galing Pook Foundation team led by Executive Director Jay Carizo, with former DILG Undersecretary Marivel Sacedoncillo and former NAPC Secretary and Lead Convenor Veronica Villavicencio serving as mentors. They were joined by PJ Hernandez, Project Manager for the Fellowship Program, and TAF representatives Noraida Chio and Addie Unsi.

Strengthening Partnerships Through Diplomatic Engagement

The delegation started with a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Maria Angela A. Ponce on 26 November. Ambassador Ponce reaffirmed the Embassy’s support for efforts to strengthen governance, institutional capacity, and economic development across BARMM.

Second Secretary and Consul Kara Denise C. Frayco provided a briefing on Philippines–Malaysia bilateral relations, followed by an open forum on cross-border cooperation and consular assistance to Filipino communities in Malaysia and Sabah.

Learning From Malaysia’s Governance and Community-Building Models

The delegation met with several Malaysian government institutions, including:

• Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) – for discussions on integrating Islamic values into governance and community engagement;
• Putrajaya Corporation – to understand the operations, management practices, and urban governance systems of Malaysia’s federal administrative capital;
• Ministry of National Unity – to learn from programs and strategies designed to foster social cohesion and strengthen national unity in diverse communities.

Civil Society Dialogues and Community-Focused Insights

BARMM officials also held sessions with Malaysian civil society organizations such as Architects of Diversity (AOD), Think City, Women of Will, ENOKU, Future Lab, Pusat KOMAS, SIS Forum, and TAF Malaysia. These engagements deepened their appreciation of grassroots initiatives that promote community empowerment, inclusion, and social cohesion—while providing an opportunity to share BARMM’s own context, challenges, and emerging innovations.

Islamic Finance and Technology for Development

The delegation further explored economic and financial models relevant to BARMM through sessions with INCEIF University (International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance) and iWealthX, a fintech start-up applying Islamic finance principles. Discussions centered on the potential of Islamic finance in promoting financial inclusion, economic resilience, and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro.

Cultural Immersion in a Multicultural Setting

Complementing the technical exchanges were cultural activities in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, allowing the delegates to experience Malaysia’s multicultural environment and appreciate firsthand how diversity is embraced and reflected in its public spaces, institutions, and communities.

Advancing Social Cohesion and Inclusive Governance in BARMM

The week-long benchmarking visit strengthened the participants’ understanding of practical models for social cohesion, inclusive governance, and resilience-building. Lessons drawn from Malaysia’s institutions and civil society organizations are expected to inform ongoing initiatives within BARMM LGUs, particularly in fostering community participation, strengthening local institutions, and integrating Islamic principles into governance practices.

The International Benchmarking on Social Cohesion and Resilience remains a cornerstone of the Local Government Fellowship Program implemented by The Asia Foundation and Galing Pook Foundation since 2023. The program continues to equip BARMM local leaders with knowledge, tools, and networks to promote participatory, peaceful, and community-centered governance.

#PHinMalaysia | Bangsamoro Government | The Asia Foundation | Galing Pook Foundation