The City Government of Isabela unveiled the Mayors’ Wall during a ceremony held on September 21 at the City Hall Lobby, honoring the former mayors who served the city and contributed to its development.
The Mayors’ Wall features the names of Isabela City’s former leaders, preserving their place in the city’s history of public service:
• Hon. Ricardo Mon — January 1, 1976–February 28, 1980
• Hon. Alvin Dans — March 1, 1980–June 15, 1986
• Hon. Herminio Montebon — June 16, 1986–December 1, 1987
• Hon. Lucresio Cabaangon — December 7, 1987–February 1, 1988
• Hon. Benjamin Valencia — February 1, 1988–September 15, 1991
• Hon. Leonardo Pioquinto — September 16, 1991–June 30, 1998
• Hon. Asan Camlian — January 1996–April 1997
• Hon. Luis Biel — June 30, 1998–March 1, 2006
• Hon. Rodolfo Tan — March 3, 2006–June 30, 2007
• Hon. Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar — June 30, 2007–June 30, 2016
• Hon. Al-Qaid Akbar — July 1, 2016–June 30, 2019
• Hon. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman (July 1, 2019-present)
The ceremony brought together city officials, former mayors, representatives and families of past mayors, and guests in a gathering that recognized Isabela City’s leadership legacy.
In her keynote message, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring the leaders who served the city before the present administration. She highlighted that the development of Isabela City is built on the collective efforts of those who previously carried the responsibility of leading the city and serving its people.
Mayor Hataman also underscored that the Mayors’ Wall is more than a display of names, as it serves as a reminder of the city’s history and the public service rendered by its former leaders. She emphasized the value of preserving this history for present and future generations, allowing them to recognize the contributions and legacy of those who helped shape Isabela City through their respective terms of service.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of Certificates of Recognition to former mayors, which were received by their representatives and families, in appreciation of their service and contributions to the city.
The Mayors’ Wall was blessed by Prof. Ustadz Alzad Sattar and Rev. Msgr. Franklyn Floyd Costan before its official unveiling led by Mayor Hataman, joined by Councilors Yusop Abubakar, Jeromy Casas, Jashim Tiplani, and IPMR Panglima Jamalul Habibun. The ceremony continued with a walkthrough and ceremonial viewing of the Mayors’ Wall, joined by city officials, families, and guests.
In a message delivered on behalf of former Mayor Alvin Dans, he described the significance of the Mayors’ Wall, describing it as more than a display of names.
“Today, we are not unveiling a wall. We are unveiling a story—a story of public service and leaders who accepted the responsibility of serving Isabela,” Dans said.
He emphasized that each mayor represents a chapter in the city’s history and that Isabela’s progress has been shaped by the collective contributions of successive generations of leaders. He also stressed that leadership should be measured not only through projects and accomplishments, but also through the lives touched, opportunities created, problems addressed, and hope given to the people.
Dans further encouraged current and future leaders to uphold the values of public service and reminded the community that good governance is strengthened when government and citizens work together toward the common good.
The ceremony continued with a walkthrough and ceremonial viewing of the Mayors’ Wall, joined by city officials, former mayors, families, and guests. Closing remarks were delivered by Vice Mayor Ajibon, represented by Councilor Asan Al-Ameen Camlian.
The newly unveiled Mayors’ Wall serves as a lasting record of Isabela City’s past leaders, preserving their names and recognizing their contributions to the city’s history and continuing tradition of public service.
