The City Government of Isabela de Basilan, under the vibrant leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, recently held its Local Council for Women (LCW) second quarterly meeting, presided over by LCW President Sheila Pagarigan, to discuss priority matters concerning women’s welfare and sectoral development in the city.
Ms. Sheila Pagarigan led the session, which centered on four main agenda items: membership updates, reports on outgoing activities, presentation and deliberation of 2026 GAD proposals and other matters relevant to the council’s mandate.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the formal acknowledgment of updates on LCW membership. With growing interest from stakeholders, the council is now composed of 45 members.
The council also presented reports on recent activities and initiatives carried out in the previous quarter. During this segment, the GAD Unit presented the city’s recent accomplishments, including highlights from the successful 2025 Women’s Month celebration.
A portion of the meeting was devoted to the presentation and deliberation of new proposals and responsive solutions aligned with Gender and Development (GAD) principles. These proposals covered various areas such as livelihood support, capacity-building, advocacy campaigns, and community development programs geared toward empowering women and addressing gender-based issues in Isabela City. Under the term of Mayor Hataman, accredited Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and People’s Organization (POs) are considered as partners of the city government who can submit and implement city programs.
Before the meeting adjourned, the council tackled other pressing matters raised by members, including logistical and operational considerations for upcoming engagements. The LCW reaffirmed its collective commitment to advancing gender-responsive governance and creating inclusive platforms for women’s voices.
With renewed direction and shared purpose, the Local Council for Women remains a strong force in championing gender equality and inclusive progress in Isabela City. (Words by Y. Acdalin/ Photos by M. Santos)
