Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman welcomed the International Council of Islamic Finance Educators (ICIFE) Project Director Zulkifly Baharom and Zarina Binti Ishak, June 18, at the Isabela City Hall to discuss enhancing educational opportunities in the city. Director Baharom also visited the Microfinance Team at the USAHA Center to discuss ongoing initiatives.
Key city officials attended the meeting, included CIO Mendry-Ann Lim, CCRO Dayang Mirhama Jaljalis, PESO Manager Aradelria Belleng, CHRMO Rosella Luna, and CPDAO Gemma Paculio-Casas. Each presented a token of appreciation to Director Baharom. Executive Assistant for Indigenous Peoples Affairs Norhaya Macusang and Assistant City Human Resource Management Officer Mojaheden Cosain also participated in the discussions.
Since her assumption to office in 2019, Mayor Turabin-Hataman has tapped into her extensive networks of both local and foreign partners to nurture the seeds of social amelioration powered by microfinancing in a bid to stem what has been perceived as chronic and endemic poverty in Isabela City. To date, this program has been instrumental in jumpstarting a competitive local economy and halving the city’s poverty index. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
