Create your program(s) in /usr/local/src; this way you will not have problems with gcc looking for files in the "include" section.
Your program(s) would be something like this:
| /* My program */
#include <getopt.h>
#include <sys/errno.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <fcntl.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <dlfcn.h>
#include <time.h>
#include "libiptc/libiptc.h"
#include "iptables.h"
int main(void)
{
  /* Use always this part for your programs .... From here ... **** */
  iptc_handle_t h;
  const char *chain = NULL;
  const char *tablename = NULL;
  program_name = "my_program";
  program_version = NETFILTER_VERSION;
  /* .... To here .... ******************************************** */
  /* From here you write your own code */
  .... your code ...
  ....
  ....
} /* main */ | 
The "include" section is a must in your c/c++ program(s).
If you are using c++ do not forget to write extern "C" for these include.