DILG Munai, Lanao del Norte

27/08/2026

𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐙𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 (𝐒𝐒𝐙) 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄

⚖️ LEGAL BASIS

The Circular is anchored on Article II, Sections 5 and 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly Sections 16, 387(b), 391(a)(16), and 393(d). It also aligns with DILG MC No. 2026-029, DILG MC No. 2024-086 on Barangay Tanods, and DILG MC No. 2025-072 on the deployment of Barangay Tanods in Department of Education schools.

The DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-037 provides practical guidance on the authorized roles, coordination arrangements, and operational boundaries of barangay tanods in school zones under the Safer Cities and Safer Communities Initiative.

📌 BACKGROUND

Schools should be peaceful, safe, and secure spaces for learners, teachers, parents, and the entire school community. Risks such as crime, traffic and pedestrian hazards, fire, stray animals, localized disaster risks, and other safety concerns can affect learners’ safe access and movement.

The Circular provides clearer guidance on the authorized roles, coordination arrangements, and operational boundaries of Barangay Tanods in supporting peace and order and public safety in school zones.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

The initiative promotes a visible, organized, and lawful barangay presence in school zones through:

✔️ Safe pedestrian and orderly movement assistance
✔️ Observation and reporting of hazards and incidents
✔️ Prompt referral to the proper authorities
✔️ Coordination with schools and concerned agencies
✔️ Support for safer routes and public spaces around schools

Most importantly, barangay tanods are unarmed civilian community support actors. They do not replace the functions of the PNP, BFP, health responders, social workers, school authorities, or other competent agencies.

📣 KEY REMINDER TO ALL:
-Municipal Mayors
-Punong Barangays
-Chief Tanods
-Barangay Tanods
-Sangguniang Barangay Members
-Sangguniang Kabataan
-DILG Field Offices

🤝 SAFER SCHOOL ZONES REQUIRE EVERYONE'S PARTICIPATION.

SEE. REPORT. REFER. PROTECT.

Together, let us build SAFER SCHOOLS • SAFER ROUTES • SAFER COMMUNITIES for every learner, teacher, parent, and community member.

20/08/2026

19/08/2026

𝗡𝗢𝗪 | Munai Municipal Mayor Racma D. Andamama, expressed hope that the collaboration among the participating LGUs and partners will continue to grow and expand across Lanao del Norte.

She emphasized that the plans and programs identified by the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators reflect the aspirations of their communities and a collective wishlist that can be turned into reality through a holistic and sustainable approach to peace and development.

Mayor Andamama also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation, complementation of resources, and shared commitment to ensure that every municipality has the opportunity to progress, prosper, and contribute to the overall development of Lanao del Norte.

19/08/2026

𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 (𝟴) 𝗟𝗗𝗡 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

READ HERE! 📰 | KOLAMBUGAN, Lanao del Norte, August 19, 2026 — 𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 (𝟴) Municipalities of Lanao del Norte strengthened their commitment to collaborative governance and shared development through the Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing on Inter-Local Government Cooperation for the Peace, Development and Investment Program anchored on the Inter-Local Government Cooperation (ILGC) Initiative, together with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), held on August 19, 2026 at KIBC Dormitel & Events Place, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.

The participating municipalities are Munai, Tangcal, Tagoloan, Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo, Kolambugan, and Poona Piagapo — came together to establish a stronger framework for cooperation in addressing common concerns, pursuing shared development priorities, and maximizing opportunities that extend beyond individual local government boundaries.

“Let this become a model that we can bring to other LGU clusters and other communities with shared challenges. Because at the end of the day, boundaries may define our jurisdictions, but they should never limit our cooperation”, OIC Provincial Director Jay Niel C. Añasco said during his presentation on the Background of the ILGC Initiative

The initiative was initiated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government 10 (DILG 10) as a local governance platform to advance Integrated Peace, Development and Investment Program. Anchored on the provision under Section 33 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, allowing local government units (LGUs) to group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them, the ILGC initiative seeks to translate the principles of integrated peace and development into concrete inter-local government actions by encouraging neighboring LGUs to jointly identify common priorities, harmonize plans, coordinate interventions, and align investments.

“Peace and development are two sides of the same coin—one cannot be achieved without the other. There must always be synergy and complementation each step of the way so that we can leverage each other’s strengths and maximize the development of our resources to areas that need them most”, Executive Director Cesar D. Mesa said, conveying the message of OPAPRU Secretary Mel Sarmiento.

The ceremonial signing marks a significant step toward institutionalizing collaboration among the eight municipalities and advancing a shared vision for peace, development, investment, and inclusive growth. The milestone was witnessed by OPAPRU Executive Director Cesar De Mesa; DILG Lanao del Norte OIC-Provincial Director Jay Niel C. Añasco, CESE; Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Jonathan M. Puno; the eight Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors, Municipal Planning and Development Officers, and Liga ng mga Barangay Presidents; PNP Lanao del Norte Provincial Director PCol Leo De Leon Sua; 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Bernardo A. Taqueban, PA; and representatives from local government, peace and order, and other partner institutions, all united in supporting this milestone in collaborative governance.

Ultimately, the initiative carries a simple but significant message: boundaries may define jurisdictions, but they should never limit cooperation. By planning together, investing together, and working together, neighboring LGUs can transform shared challenges into shared opportunities and build a more peaceful, resilient, and prosperous future for their people. (𝘋𝘐𝘓𝘎 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦/ 𝘑. 𝘈𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘰)

19/08/2026

𝗡𝗢𝗪 | Executive Director for Bangsamoro Transformation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Cesar D. De Mesa, conveyed the message of Secretary Mel Sarmiento, emphasizing that peace and development must move together and must be built through strong local ownership and cooperation.

He highlighted the partnership of the Province of Lanao del Norte and the eight participating municipalities as a concrete expression of unity, where neighboring LGUs can harmonize plans, complement resources, and pursue shared solutions to common peace and development concerns.

The message also stressed that lasting peace goes beyond addressing conflict. It requires stronger governance, economic opportunities, healing, social reconnection, and the meaningful participation of women, youth, former combatants, civil society, and vulnerable sectors.

OPAPRU likewise expressed its commitment to provide technical assistance and work closely with DILG, the Provincial Government, LGUs, communities, national government agencies, and development partners to ensure that the Integrated Peace and Development Investment Program remains inclusive, conflict-sensitive, and responsive to realities on the ground

19/08/2026

𝗡𝗢𝗪 | DILG Lanao del Norte OIC Provincial Director Jay Niel C. Añasco emphasized that political boundaries should never limit cooperation among local governments, especially when communities share the same challenges, resources, and aspirations for peace and development.

Through inter-local cooperation and convergence, LGUs can harmonize plans, share resources, align investments, and jointly address concerns that go beyond municipal or provincial boundaries, which transforms individual efforts into solutions that benefit entire communities.

OIC PD Añasco shared this message during the convergence activity with the Municipalities of Munai, Tangcal, Tagoloan, Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo, Kolambugan, and Poona Piagapo, together with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, OPAPRU, and partner stakeholders, as they work toward lasting peace, inclusive and sustainable development, stronger livelihoods, improved basic services, and a better quality of life for their communities.

19/08/2026

𝗡𝗢𝗪 | Kolambugan Municipal Mayor Lorenzo “Iyoy” Mañigos emphasized that lasting peace and sustainable development can only be achieved when local governments work together with a shared vision and purpose.

In his welcome message, Mayor Mañigos highlighted the significance of the Integrated Peace and Development Investment Program and inter-local government cooperation as a way for neighboring LGUs to move beyond political boundaries, align their priorities, pool resources, and pursue common development goals.

He stressed that what affects one municipality also affects its neighbors, and that progress in one area can strengthen the whole of Lanao del Norte. Through coordinated infrastructure development, economic opportunities, and investment strategies, the participating municipalities can position themselves as a stronger and more connected economic corridor that can create sustainable livelihoods and greater economic security for their people.

Mayor Mañigos also recognized the support of OPAPRU, DILG Region 10, DILG Lanao del Norte, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, and other partner institutions, noting that the agreement reflects what can be achieved when national agencies, provincial leadership, and local governments align their efforts toward peace, resilience, and inclusive growth.

17/08/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲. 𝗔𝗰𝘁.

Building trust and understanding between government and communities is at the heart of meaningful public service, as every connection we strengthen brings us closer to more responsive and inclusive governance. MLGOO Ekijeto S. Cañete highlights the vital role of MLGOOs in creating bridges among people, communities, and government.

How can we strengthen these bridges of trust and understanding in the communities we serve?