Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman served as a panelist at the Business-Government Forum hosted by the Makati Business Club (MBC) on February 24, joining national leaders in a high-level discussion on strengthening transparency, accountability, and budget integrity in government.
The forum, held in Makati City, brought together key stakeholders from the business sector and government. Mayor Hataman joined the panel alongside DBM Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo and ARTA Director-General Ernesto Perez. Discussions focused on restoring public trust and investor confidence through reforms in budgeting, procurement, and project implementation. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also delivered his message via video.
During the panel, Mayor Turabin-Hataman shared Isabela City’s governance experience, emphasizing reforms that promote participatory governance, fiscal transparency, and citizen engagement. She underscored the need to align legislative, executive, and local government efforts to address implementation gaps and ensure that public funds translate into tangible community outcomes.
She further highlighted the City Government’s commitment to strengthening public financial management systems and institutionalizing transparency mechanisms that empower citizens to take part in governance processes.
The invitation from MBC recognized Isabela City’s leadership in advancing accountable and reform-oriented governance. The mayor’s participation also provided an opportunity to present local innovations that may contribute to national reform initiatives.
The City Government of Isabela remains steadfast in its commitment to integrity, transparency, and inclusive development, demonstrating the vital role of effective local governance in rebuilding public trust nationwide. (Contributed Photos)
