Isabela City unveils P100-M sports infra projects

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through its Isabela City District Engineering Office (ICDEO), formally turned over on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, some P100 million worth of completed sports infrastructure projects to the city government of Isabela.

The construction of the projects was made possible through the initiative of Basilan Lone District Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman.

Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman formally received the completed projects in a ceremony that was preceded by a citywide fun run and Zumba session organized by the Department of Education-Schools Division Office.

The fun run and Zumba session drew participation from students, teachers, local officials, national agency representatives, and members of the community—highlighting unity, wellness, and renewed pride in public infrastructure.

Among the completed projects turned over were two multi-purpose buildings (grandstand 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 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 were multi-purpose facilities, including the grandstand, a 6,057.53-square-meter rubberized track and field area, and a 1,881.86-square-meter artificial grass turf. This project was funded through GAA 2021 with a total cost of P40 million.

“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 (The turn-over to us from DPWH-ICDEO through the initiative of Congressman Mujiv Hataman — we thank him and we congratulate the people of Isabela, not only of Isabela but of the whole of Basilan, because we will all benefit from this, from young to old. As some say, it was just a dream before — now, it has come true),” Mayor Hataman said during the turnover ceremony.

“Isa na naman itong patunay na walang imposible basta’t nagtatrabaho tayo, may mabuting pamamahala, at naibibigay sa tao ang para sa kanila (This is yet another proof that nothing is impossible as long as we work hard, have good governance, and give the people what they deserve),” she added.

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 open 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 (DPWH agreed to open Phase I for jogging while works are still ongoing),” Representative Hataman said.

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 the proposed additional bleacher section, and P10 million allocated for a public market in Malamawi Island in support of Indigenous Peoples' livelihoods.

He also noted that the existing bleachers 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 emphasized the importance of formally turning over the facility to the City Government to ensure proper management.

Representative Hataman urged residents to help maintain cleanliness in the grandstand.

Meanwhile, a groundbreaking ceremony was also held during the event for the proposed construction of a new multi-purpose building at the grandstand site, aimed at further expanding Isabela City's capacity to host sports, civic, and community functions. (SunStar Zamboanga)