Conducted in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte and in Cotabato City, the four-day forum was attended by approximately seventy-eight (78) Iranun delegates from Sabah, Malaysia, which aimed to present the current development for opportunities for trade, tourism, and investments within the BARMM BIMP-EAGA cluster, sustain historical collaboration through research, information sharing, and cultural exposition, and strengthen cultural ties among the minority communities through education, tourism, trade, and investment.

With the overwhelming support of the BARMM Regional Government and the Local Chief Executives, who are also members of the IPADC, delegates of the four-day forum were taken to several areas of the BARMM region to explore wide opportunities for the BARMM BIMP-EAGA cluster.

During the Mayor’s Night Cum Cultural Presentations and Fellowship at the People’s Palace, BCPCH Chairperson impressed the delegates in delivering part of his speech in Bahasa, Malaysia. “As one of the 13 Muslim ethnolinguistic tribes of the Philippines, the Iranun is part of the greater narrative of the Bangsamoro rich in history, customs, beliefs, and traditions that has echoed until the modern times yet lacks rigorous documentation and preservation efforts. It is timely that scholarly undertaking like this activity would bolster our pursuit for truth, understanding, and knowledge of our identity as a people”. – Chairperson stated.

The Chairperson also underscored the role of the Commission as the lead agency of the Bangsamoro Government in the meaningful chronicling of the narratives of the Bangsamoro from our own perspective and the preservation of the Bangsamoro culture, heritage, and identity. “The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage is steadfast and committed to develop and safeguard our posterity and culture rooted in our identity. As such, we are in deep gratitude for the cultural properties presented and donated by our esteemed delegation as it adds value and story to how the younger generations appreciate and understand our culture.” – He added.

Before the fellowship night ended, Chairperson Lingasa, Ph.D., accepted the Iranun Musical Instruments as part of the agreement between the Commission and BIMP-EAGA delegates. This was also highlighted by a MOA signing between the Commission’s Chairperson and the BIMP-EAGA Envoy. The four-day forum has strengthened the commitments of attendees in working towards the development of opportunities for trade, tourism, and investments with the BARMM and BIMP-EAGA regions.

Aside from BCPCH Chairperson, BCPCH Executive Director Akmad D. Mama, BCPCH Senior Museum Researcher Glen Francis C. Lanticse, and other BCPCH Personnel also attended the Mayor’s Night Forum.

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BCPCH is the primary institution in preserving the history, culture, arts, tradition, and rich cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Commission is currently under the leadership of Chairperson Salem Y. Lingasa, Ph.D.