In a continuing commitment to environmental transparency and sustainable governance, representatives from the CENRO Zamboanga Regional Office’s Coastal Resources Management Unit paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman on April 3.
The visit served as a vital briefing for the local chief executive, setting the stage for the rigorous Validation Monitoring that took place from April 10-11 across the coastal areas of Malamawi.
During the engagement at City Hall, the visiting team shared compelling video footage of the city’s underwater treasures. The validators were highly impressed by the results of their monitoring, particularly highlighting the health of the local reefs:
Barangay Panigayan: The team described the area as beautiful and remarkably free of waste, making it a prime spot for eco-tourism.
Marang-Marang: Observations confirmed healthy coral growth and, more importantly, a total absence of illegal fishing activities.
The validators gave a perfect score for the city’s “Sea Sweepers” effort, noting that compared to other regions, Isabela City’s seas are exceptionally clean.
Beyond environmental data, the visit emphasized the importance of inclusive development. The validators provided various educational materials, including brochures on the Magna Carta of Women, coordinated through GAD (Gender and Development) Focal Person Ms. Mendry Ann Lim.
The technical experts, including Rommel Soriano, William Viloria, and Ren Mark Bote from NAMRIA, alongside Randel Pantaleon from DENR-IX, confirmed that a comprehensive assessment of the corals will be finalized by June 2026.
The meeting was also attended by CENRO Albino Orbecido and CGSO Eugene Cal Strong, representing the local departments that work hand-in-hand with national validators to maintain the city’s natural assets.
