Carrying the banner of transparent, people-centered, and accountable governance, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman—one of the country’s foremost champions of good governance—presented Isabela City’s Freedom of Information (FOI) journey during the LGU Conference held on December 3 in Baguio City.
As an Open and Transparent Local Governance Awardee, Mayor Dadah was invited as a panelist for the session “Shaping a Culture of Openness: How LGUs Make FOI Work for the People.” In her discourse, she shared Isabela City’s best practices, innovations, and milestones in institutionalizing FOI—an essential pillar of democratic governance.
Mayor Dadah underscored that true transparency begins at the grassroots, where citizens must be empowered not only to access information, but also to meaningfully participate in decision-making. She highlighted Isabela City’s trailblazing achievement of having 37 out of 45 barangays enact their own FOI ordinances, reflecting a strong local commitment to openness and public accountability. This milestone places Isabela City at the forefront of FOI localization in the country.
Joining her on the panel were Hon. Justin Dominic S. Gatuslao, Vice Mayor of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, and Ma. Rowena Rayos-Dimanlig, Assistant Department Head II and Head of Ugnayan sa Pasig–FOI Office, who both shared how their respective LGUs are strengthening transparency and public trust through FOI.
Organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the conference brought together LGU representatives from across Luzon, fostering deeper collaboration and advancing a shared national commitment to open, transparent, and responsive local governance.
