{"id":780,"date":"2026-03-13T22:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/?p=780"},"modified":"2026-03-16T23:17:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:17:17","slug":"strengthening-local-government-cooperation-in-the-philippines-uclg-aspac-mission-advances-asean-vision-2045-agmf-2026-preparation-and-local-development-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/strengthening-local-government-cooperation-in-the-philippines-uclg-aspac-mission-advances-asean-vision-2045-agmf-2026-preparation-and-local-development-initiatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Strengthening Local Government Cooperation in the Philippines: UCLG ASPAC Mission Advances ASEAN Vision 2045, AGMF 2026 Preparation, and Local Development Initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Strengthening Local Government Cooperation in the Philippines: UCLG ASPAC Mission Advances ASEAN Vision 2045, AGMF 2026 Preparation, and Local Development Initiatives<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-03-13T22:12:00+07:00\">March 13, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-4-background-color has-background\"><strong>MANILA, Philippines<\/strong> \u2014 The AGMF Secretariat, led by Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi and AGMF Programme Officer Mohammad Ridwan, concluded a high-impact mission to the Philippines this March, strengthening the bridge between local governance and regional strategy. The visit marked a critical milestone in advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and laying the groundwork for the 2026 ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regional Integration at the Local Level<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>At the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly in Manila, the AGMF Secretariat engaged with hundreds of municipal leaders to emphasize that regional vision begins at the local level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center is-image-fill-element has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f1f5c7;grid-template-columns:26% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-16-at-22.34.11-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-782 size-full\" style=\"object-position:9% 51%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-16-at-22.34.11-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-16-at-22.34.11-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-16-at-22.34.11-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-16-at-22.34.11-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-16-at-22.34.11.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:2em;padding-right:2em;padding-bottom:2em;padding-left:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"line-height:1.2\"><strong>The success of ASEAN\u2019s economic, political-security, and socio-cultural pillars in ACV 2045 depends on concrete actions by municipalities at the local level, such as aligning regional priorities with their local development plans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-extra-small-font-size\"><strong>Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi<\/strong>, speaking at the LMP General Assembly, 10 March 2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preparations for the ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) 2026<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>High-level coordination for AGMF 2026 advanced during a visit to Manila City Hall. The AGMF Secretariat met with city officials to align on the strategic framework for the event. These discussions ensured that the host city and regional organizers are in lockstep regarding the forum\u2019s role in showcasing Philippine leadership within the ASEAN community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-2-color has-ast-global-color-4-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-99ad67b3dfe4c4d6701a07707ba76903\"><strong>CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines<\/strong> \u2014 Following the engagements in the capital, the mission shifted to Catbalogan City to focus on implementation and community empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advancing the ASEAN SDGs Park Initiative<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership on the ASEAN SDGs Park Project. This initiative creates a public space that merges sustainable development with economic opportunity through a modular, sustainable marketplace that serves as a pilot for regional replication.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/649433275_1520232416439621_7165144065154231072_n-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-783 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/649433275_1520232416439621_7165144065154231072_n-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/649433275_1520232416439621_7165144065154231072_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/649433275_1520232416439621_7165144065154231072_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/649433275_1520232416439621_7165144065154231072_n-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/649433275_1520232416439621_7165144065154231072_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Women&#8217;s Month Celebration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-12-at-11.06.07-AM.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-785 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-12-at-11.06.07-AM.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-12-at-11.06.07-AM-300x181.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-12-at-11.06.07-AM-768x462.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>At the end of the mission, the Secretariat participated in an event hosted by the Catbalogan City Government focused on women in governance. In the session, Dr. Bernadia highlighted that women\u2019s leadership is a primary driver for improved public services, stronger community engagement, and more inclusive economic opportunities. Empowering women at the local level was underscored as a necessity for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links aligncenter is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aseangovernorsandmayorsforum\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-x  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AGMF_UCLGASPAC\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M13.982 10.622 20.54 3h-1.554l-5.693 6.618L8.745 3H3.5l6.876 10.007L3.5 21h1.554l6.012-6.989L15.868 21h5.245l-7.131-10.378Zm-2.128 2.474-.697-.997-5.543-7.93H8l4.474 6.4.697.996 5.815 8.318h-2.387l-4.745-6.787Z\" \/><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">X<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MANILA, Philippines \u2014 The AGMF Secretariat, led by Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi and AGMF Programme Officer Mohammad Ridwan, concluded a high-impact mission to the Philippines this March, strengthening the bridge between local governance and regional strategy. The visit marked a critical milestone in advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and laying the groundwork for the &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/strengthening-local-government-cooperation-in-the-philippines-uclg-aspac-mission-advances-asean-vision-2045-agmf-2026-preparation-and-local-development-initiatives\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Strengthening Local Government Cooperation in the Philippines: UCLG ASPAC Mission Advances ASEAN Vision 2045, AGMF 2026 Preparation, and Local Development Initiatives<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"","site-content-layout":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=780"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":788,"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780\/revisions\/788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uclg-aspac.org\/agmf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}