What's New
Municipalities from Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in the Bangsamoro Autonomous REgion of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) took a major step toward stronger inter-local cooperation as the mayors and key officials of two emerging inter-LGU alliances—the Sebangan a Unayan Development Council (SUDC) and TAGDHAP—publicly signed their Statements of Commitment during a commitment signing ceremony held at Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas Center last January 27, 2026.
The commitment signing was witnessed by The Asia Foundation (TAF) Country Representative, Sam Chittick, and Galing Pook Foundation (GPF) Chairperson, Mel Senen Sarmiento, underscoring strong partner support for LGU-led alliance-building in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The SUDC alliance, based in Lanao del Sur, is composed of the municipalities of Butig, Lumbayanague, Lumbatan, Lumbaca Unayan, and Sultan Dumalondong. Through SUDC, member LGUs aim to institutionalize a platform for cooperative governance that can support joint planning, coordination, and shared initiatives—while respecting each municipality’s mandate and autonomy.
The TAGDHAP alliance, based in Maguindanao, is composed of Talayan, Guindulungan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, and Datu Piang. TAGDHAP seeks to strengthen inter-municipal coordination and pursue clustered, area-based solutions that can improve feasibility, cost-efficiency, and sustainability of priority initiatives.
The commitment signing followed the two-day Inter-LGU Alliance (ILA) Workshop conducted by GPF and TAF on January 24–25, 2026 at Seda Hotel, Makati City, where participating municipalities worked through alliance models and practical steps for institutionalizing inter-LGU collaboration. The workshop served as a foundation for helping LGUs clarify alliance governance options, operational arrangements, and the importance of follow-through mechanisms beyond initial agreements.
By signing the public statements of commitment, the mayors and key officials affirmed the value of moving from coordination to structured collaboration—anchored on clear governance mechanisms, shared work directions, and continued coordination with partners and stakeholders.
With the witnessing of TAF and GPF leadership, the ceremony also reinforced partner support for LGU-driven alliance-building as a pathway to deliver results at scale—especially where issues and opportunities are shared across municipal boundaries.
Following the commitment signing, SUDC and TAGDHAP are expected to proceed with alliance-building actions such as finalizing their Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), clarifying governance structures, and developing initial joint work programs and operating mechanisms—while keeping alliance priorities flexible and responsive as member LGUs further define and expand their cooperation.