The Department of Public Works and Highways-Isabela City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO), through the initiative of the Office of Basilan Lone District Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman, formally turned over several completed infrastructure projects to the City Government of Isabela under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, and led the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed construction of a new Multipurpose Building at the Isabela City Grandstand on May 6.
Among the completed projects turned over were two multi-purpose buildings (bleachers), and a rubberized track and field oval. The grandstand project involved a 25-meter by 8.5-meter bleacher area and 320 meters of perimeter fencing, funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2023 with a total project cost of P20 million. Additionally, a multi-purpose building with a 48-meter by 6.6-meter floor area and two staircases (17.8 meters by 1.5 meters each) was completed under GAA 2020, amounting to P40 million.
Also part of the turnover was the Construction (Completion) of Multi-Purpose Facilities including the grandstand, which includes a 6,057.53-square-meter rubberized track and field area and an 1,881.86-square-meter artificial grass turf. This project was funded through GAA 2021 with a total cost of P40 million.
A groundbreaking ceremony was also held during the event for the proposed construction of a new multipurpose building at the grandstand site, aimed at further expanding Isabela City’s capacity to host sports, civic, and community functions.
Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman expressed her gratitude to Congressman Mujiv Hataman and DPWH, stating, “Ang turn-over sa atin mula sa DPWH-ICDEO through the initiative of Congressman Mujiv Hataman — nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanya at binabati natin ang mga taga-Isabela, hindi lang taga-Isabela kundi buong taga-Basilan, kasi lahat tayo ay makikinabang dito, mula bata hanggang matanda. Sabi nga ng iba, pangarap lang ito dati — ngayon, nagkatotoo na. Isa na naman itong patunay na walang imposible basta’t nagtatrabaho tayo, may mabuting pamamahala, at naibibigay sa tao ang para sa kanila.”
Representative Hataman also highlighted the significance of the event, noting that the grandstand — originally referred to as the Basilan National High School Grandstand — is now finally being opened to the public. He explained that the decision to conduct the ribbon-cutting alongside the groundbreaking was in response to growing public interest in using the space, especially by joggers often seen along the diversion road.
“Pumayag ang DPWH na buksan ang Phase I para magamit na sa jogging habang may ongoing works pa,” Hataman shared. He added that while the football field was originally planned to use artificial grass, the decision was made to switch to topsoil and natural grass due to maintenance challenges.
He further disclosed that ongoing construction at the site includes a P15 million executive lounge and stage, as well as a P50 million funding grant from Senator Robin Padilla — P40 million of which will be used to build for the proposed additional bleacher section, and P10 million allocated for a public market in Malamawi Island in support of Indigenous Peoples’ livelihoods.
Representative Hataman also noted that the existing bleacher will be demolished and replaced to match the new structure, a P35 million initiative secured separately. Overall, the entire project to be implemented in the grandstand area — including those being broken ground — is estimated to exceed P100 million in total investments. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of formally turning over the facility to the City Government to ensure proper management, and he urged the residents to maintain cleanliness. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO and KC Galos, IsaTV)
