Written By: Jasten Dwight B. Desierto | Photos By: Yanna Gabrielle I. Nasol

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Council (MSAC) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region IX—an institutional body that guides and enhances local governance partnerships and knowledge sharing among national agencies, academe, civil society, and other governance stakeholders —successfully held its 4th Quarter Regular Meeting on December 16, 2025 at Badsbrotel Suites, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. The meeting served as a platform to assess progress, address key policy issues, and strengthen collaborative frameworks for regional governance. The Council reviewed and validated prior actions, identified areas requiring regulatory clarification, and set directions for follow-through coordination to support effective local government implementation.

A key outcome of the meeting was the endorsement of prioritized programs that reinforce disaster risk reduction and resilience at the community level, alongside approved enhancements to partnership arrangements designed to institutionalize cooperation, strengthen accountability, and expand engagement across member networks. Discussions also laid the groundwork for sustained collaboration in 2026, highlighting the need for inclusive participation, early planning, and flexible mechanisms that accommodate diverse partner capacities.

Members were updated on proposed 2026 priority activities focusing on knowledge management, governance performance, innovation, and system integration, with emphasis on aligning efforts to avoid duplication and maximize impact. The meeting reaffirmed shared commitments to collaborative governance, data-driven planning, and coordinated support for local government units throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula, setting a strong foundation for sustained multi-stakeholder engagement and governance excellence.