The City Government of Isabela, through the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, conducted the Budget Hearing for Calendar Year 2026 from November 10–12 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall. On its second day, the activity continued under the organization of the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Councilor James Abner Rodriguez, who also serves as chair of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, Rules, Resolutions, and Ordinances.
The budget hearing served as a vital venue for local government offices to present and justify their respective budget proposals, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with the city’s development priorities. The deliberations focused on the proposed Executive Annual General Fund Budget for 2026, which will guide the City Government’s operations and programs in the upcoming fiscal year.
During the session, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, City Health Officer Dr. Mohrein Ismael VI, CDRRMO Chief Uso Dan Salasim, CIO Mendry-Ann Lim, City Treasurer Mary Jane Abenojar, and City Assessor Vido Yu presented their 2025 Accomplishment Reports and 2026 Plans and Programs, highlighting key achievements, continuing initiatives, and proposed projects designed to advance the city’s sustainable growth and public service delivery.
Among those present were Vice Mayor Ar-jhemar Ajibon and Sangguniang Panlungsod Members Jeromy Casas, Yusop Abubakar, Asan Al-Ameen Camlian, Jashim Tiplani, Sara Ismael, Khaleedsher Asarul, Haizer Salain, Karel Annjaiza Sakkalahul-Hataman, and SK Federation President Naila Belleng.
The Budget Hearing continued the committee-level review of proposed budgets for various city departments. After thorough deliberation, the following offices’ proposed budgets for Calendar Year 2026 were approved at the committee level:
City Health Office – P75,025,484.79City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office – P6,063,809.40City Information Office – P10,018,037.44Office of the City Mayor – P287,232,744.65City Treasurery Office – P27,116,803.50City Assessor’s Office – P12,380,644.35These approved budgets reflect the City Government’s focus on essential services such as public health, disaster preparedness, information dissemination, fiscal management, and administrative efficiency—all vital to the continued progress and resilience of Isabela City. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
