About Us
The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) is an independent and non- partisan think tank founded in 2001 to generate ideas on making autonomy an effective vehicle for peace and development in the Southern Philippines.
IAG views autonomy as a broad and evolving concept that encompasses any political structure that is less than an independent state. It provides the country’s minority Muslim and Indigenous Peoples platforms to evolve self governance structures whether federal, autonomous or associative.
IAG continues to conduct research, fora, roundtable discussions, and conferences on the issues of autonomy, good governance and political settlements between the GRP and the Rebel Fronts (MNLF and MILF). It has published policy papers and journals on political, economic, and security issues that define the much needed measures to be undertaken for meaningful self-governance in the region.
IAG also provides support to the ARMM Executive and the Iranon Development Council (Buldon, Barira, Matanog, Parang and Datu Blah Sinsuat), specifically in capacity-building with focus on the processes of policy formulation and legislation.
IAG is an institutional partner of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in the Philippines.
Our Goals
To take a lead role in evolving meaningful policies to make autonomy in the Southern Philippines an effective instrument for peace and development.
To help strengthen governance in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
To expand and consolidate the network of organizations and leaders to promote autonomy and self-determination as a means of addressing the causes of conflict in the Southern Philippines.
To engage the Armed Forces of the Philippines in meaningful Security Sector Reform.
Our Objectives
To organize policy studies, forums, and conferences, and engage in research and publication on political, economic, security, and social issues in Southern Philippines to advance public policy for peace and development in the region.
To conduct activities for the development of the rule of law, democracy, and effective and accountable governance.
To engage in programs to promote and develop democratic and political institutions.
To partner with Local Government Unit (LGU) alliances in advancing development and self-determination.
To initiate programs and activities that support and sustain meaningful Security Sector Reform.
Our Thrust
To expand the negotiating table for the peace talks between 1) the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF) and 2) the Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front (GPH-NDF) to broaden stakeholders participation.
To continue involvement in the review of the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the GPH and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and help shape amendments to Republic Act 9054.
To continue engagement in the capacity-building of the ARMM government and enhance good governance.
To engage in policy studies, researches, forums, conferences and publications on political, economic, security and social issues in Southern Philippines in shaping public policy for peace and good governance.
To engage in programs and activities for the development of the rule of law, democracy and effective and accountable governance in the ARMM and the component LGUs.
To bring together individuals and institutions within and outside the country in promoting coordination and synergy in policy studies on self-determination, ancestral domain, and reconstruction.
To strengthen and consolidate the initial efforts in Security Sector Reform.
Core Principles of IAG Programs
The basic root of conflict in Mindanao is injustice and underdevelopment.
Mindanao conflict as essentially a political problem that requires a political solution.
Evolving an effective and viable vehicle for Moro and Indigenous Peoples self-determination as the core of this political solution.
Empowerment of all stakeholders to assert their rights in the context of the Philippine national political structure.