Roel Pareño ISABELA CITY, Basilan — Once dismissed as a pushover, this city has emerged as the “face of the region” in transparent and effective governance—earning comparisons to progressive cities like Quezon and Baguio. In a stirring State of the City Address held Wednesday at the Isabela City Civic and Cultural Center, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman reflected on the city’s transformation over the past six years. “This is not just about reporting programs and projects,” the mayor said. “Today, we recognize the kind of city we’ve become—a city that has found its voice, its courage, and its place on the map of hope.” Turabin-Hataman recounted Isabela City's journey from a place plagued by fear and division to one of peace, unity, and resilience. Once overlooked and weighed down by conflict, the city has become a symbol of hope. Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman speaks during her State of the City Address. "We are a city full of dreams, often denied the o...
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