The City Government of Isabela, under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, officially opened the Isabela City Business Summit & Expo 2025 (ICBSE2025) on April 23 at the Isabela City Civic and Cultural Center, marking a pivotal step in the city’s drive for inclusive economic growth and sustainable investment.
In her welcome address, Mayor Turabin-Hataman underscored the importance of fostering innovation and resilience among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—the backbone of the local economy. She emphasized the need to strengthen the engagement between the local government and the business community, citing the importance of improving visibility, impact, and participation among local entrepreneurs. She highlighted the city’s collaboration with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and called for proactive efforts to build bridges where they do not yet exist.
A keynote message delivered by Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro on behalf of MinDA Chair Leo Tereso Magno praised the city’s leadership and the Chamber of Commerce for spearheading the summit. Chair Magno emphasized that convening MSMEs and regional partners sends a clear signal: Isabela City and Basilan are open for business, ready to compete, and prepared to lead Mindanao’s economic transformation. Montenegro also presented investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector, highlighting the need to integrate clean energy into local development strategies.
In Session 1, City Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Gay Palagtiosa outlined Isabela City’s growth strategy, with a projected population of 151,880 by 2025 and a 3.1% annual growth rate. He introduced the city’s Local Investment Priority Areas (LIPAs) for 2025–2028, focusing on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, trade, manufacturing, and infrastructure, distributed across five strategic development zones or “kawmans.”
Two key planning tools were also presented: the Commodity Investment Plan (CIP) and the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP). Marie Grace Tipa discussed the city’s top 10 priority commodities, such as lowland vegetables, coconut, corn, native chicken, and sardines, along with planned interventions to boost production and market access. Engr. Merewyn Sadjail shared updates on the LPTRP, which includes rationalized transport routes, fleet modernization, and the integration of electric vehicles and bike lanes. The plan also addresses tricycle operations and terminal management, in line with national and local transport regulations.
The summit continued with Session 2 featuring Maria Antonia Odelia Arroyo of Sulo Barakah Ventures (SBV), who tackled the challenges faced by microenterprises—such as product redundancy, reduced foot traffic, and competition from online platforms. She proposed strategies like diversification, coopetition, and improving the customer journey, while urging MSMEs to leverage e-commerce and local government support.
Session 3, CREATE MORE Act and its salient features was presented virtually by BOI Director Atty. Elyjean Portoza and Irwin Jason Jamaca from BOI-CDO, followed by Session 4 on inclusive investment promotion led by Espie Hupida of ZABIDA-GIZ, which showcased the implementation of Local Investment and Incentive Codes across the Zamboanga Peninsula as part of multi-stakeholder efforts to combat poverty and foster sustainable, equitable development.
HDF Energy Rene Villarente also presented its RENEWSTABLE sustainable energy solution, leading into a synthesis facilitated by DTI Zamboanga City Provincial Director Grace Aduca, which aimed to consolidate insights and map out actionable plans. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
