NUNUNGAN, Lanao del Norte (PIA) -- Marcos Mamay, the mayor of this town, was among 13 local leaders from the Philippines who embarked on a study mission to Bangkok, Thailand, with a focus on local governance and innovation for local economic development.

The delegation comprised mayors, vice mayors, a vice governor, a councilor, and a tourism officer representing various areas such as Batangas, Zambales, Pampanga, Camarines Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Cavite, Ilo-ilo, Occidental Mindoro, Nueva Ecija, and Misamis Oriental, among others.

Senator Francis Tolentino launched the program, Adaptive Governance and Innovation for Local Executives (AGILE), to provide officials with the necessary skills and insights for effective governance.

Organized with support from the Development Academy of the Philippines and the Foundation for Thailand Productivity Institute, the mission focused on fostering local economic development through innovative governance strategies. 

The AGILE program provides learning and development activities aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, supporting the government's goal of achieving economic and social transformation through effective governance. It also aims to develop competent, motivated, agile, and resilient public servants.

Mamay highlighted the valuable lessons learned during the five-day study mission, including Thailand's successful approaches to promoting the halal industry that can boost tourism and streamlining government transactions through digitalization.

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"Napakaganda na strategy po itong initiative na ginawa nila para ma-equip kami bilang isang elected official na magkaroon kami ng idea, ng  sapat na kaalaman o ng experiences that we could possibly apply in the Philippines or in our particular area of responsibility. Sa amin,  sa municipality of Nunungan, knowing that Nunngan has been deprived of peace and development for the past decades, ang daming kulang sa amin and posible maapply natin sa mga natutunan natin sa ibang bansa,” he said.

[This initiative's strategy is very good as it equips us, as elected officials, to have an idea, sufficient knowledge, or experiences that we could possibly apply in the Philippines or in our particular area of responsibility. For us, in the municipality of Nunungan, knowing that Nunungan has been deprived of peace and development for the past decades, many things are lacking in us, and it is possible to apply what we have learned in other countries.]

The delegates of the program also immersed themselves in the culture of Thailand through  cultural visits to iconic sites like the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of Dawn, and the Pattaya Floating Market. They also paid a  courtesy visit to the Thai Ambassador to Thailand, Millicent Cruz Paredes, and learned about the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand.

Additionally, participants engage in site visits and lectures at institutions like the Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior, Community Organizations Development Institute, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Tourism Authority in Thailand, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, and Government Development Agency (Public Organization).

Moreover, the settlement of rido or family feuds in Nunungan continues to ensure the maintenance of peace, which is crucial for progress. Numerous infrastructure projects are also ongoing in the municipality. This includes the construction of the 4-in-1 project: a hospital, 15 classrooms for balanced education in Arabic and English, a dormitory, and a mosque, funded with support from the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nouri Charity Society-State of Kuwait. Also, the construction of a bridge connecting the town to Sapad and Nunungan is nearing completion.

"Ang dami pa pong nakaline up na project para sa Nunungan. Pasalamat tayo sa lahat ng agencies na patuloy na tumutulong po sa atin sa Nunungan, sa national line agencies, senators, cabinet members, na andiyan patuloy na tumutulong para sa amin,” he said.

[There are still many projects lined up for Nunungan. We are grateful to all the agencies that continue to help us in Nunungan—the national line agencies, senators, cabinet members—who continue to help us.]

There are still many lined-up projects for Nunungan. We express our gratitude to all the agencies that continue to help us in Nunungan, to the national line agencies, senators, and cabinet members who are continuously assisting us.

Mamay is also thankful for his learnings as a former cadet at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2004. He is actively serving as the Vice President for External Affairs in the League of Municipalities of the Philippines. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)