In a significant move to bridge heritage and economic opportunity, officials from the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) paid a courtesy visit to the Isabela City Government on Monday, April 13—centering discussions on advancing the creative sector across the entire Province of Basilan.
Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman received the delegation led by MTIT Minister Farserina Mohammad, together with ministry executives and Special Assistant Jack Isnaji. The meeting served as a strategic platform to align regional priorities with grassroots realities—ensuring that programs are inclusive and beneficial not only for Isabela City, but for communities throughout Basilan.
At the core of the dialogue was a shared commitment to unlock the province’s cultural and economic potential through high-impact strategies, including:
Cultural Mapping – systematically identifying and documenting Basilan’s rich heritage assets across its municipalitiesTraditional Weaving Support – strengthening assistance for local weavers to preserve and scale indigenous craftsmanship province-wideJob Creation – developing sustainable livelihood programs that transform traditional skills into long-term economic opportunities for BasileñosThis engagement also sets the stage for the upcoming BRIDGE MTIT Mission scheduled on April 14–17—an initiative designed to deliver essential government services directly to communities across Basilan, including Halal Roadshows, Business Registration Services, and Technical Support.
The visit was reinforced by a high-level technical team from the Ministry, bringing expertise in tourism development, legal frameworks, and enterprise growth, ensuring that implementation will have both depth and province-wide reach.
Among those present were Engr. Marites Maguindra (Director, Bureau of Tourism), Atty. Maymona Ampuan (Legal Officer, MTIT), Snookey Gani (Chief of Enterprise Trade Development), Engr. John Lomboy (OIC Director of Planning), Argie Sarco (Provincial Director, MTIT Basilan), and Abo Moh. Asmawil (Chief of IDIP Region, MTIT). (Words by S. Angging/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
