The City Government of Isabela under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, through the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), formally opened the Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) Plan Formulation Workshop on October 1, 2025 at the Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City.
The three-day workshop aims to craft the city’s POPS Plan for Calendar Years 2026–2028, which will serve as a roadmap in addressing peace and order concerns, ensuring public safety, and promoting resilience in the communities of Isabela City.
In his opening remarks, City Administrator Pedrito A. Eisma, who also serves as POC-ADAC Focal, underscored the importance of the planning workshop as a venue for collaboration among security sectors, city departments, and civil society organizations (CSOs). He emphasized that the POPS Plan must reflect the collective vision and strategies of stakeholders to sustain peace and security in the city.
Engr. Merewyn Sadjail, representing the CPDO, presented the overview of the POPS Plan formulation process for CY 2026–2028, providing participants with the necessary framework and guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and responsive plan.
The first day of the workshop also featured the presentation of the POPS Plan Accomplishment Report for CY 2023–2025, setting the stage for evaluation and improvement in the upcoming plan cycle.
Before the session ended, Mendry Ann Lim, the City Information Officer and GAD Focal Person, shared her insights on ensuring the integration of Gender and Development (GAD) perspectives in the POPS Plan. She stressed that peace and order initiatives should be inclusive, responsive to gender-related concerns, and mindful of the specific needs of women, children, and other vulnerable sectors.
The succeeding sessions will involve lectures, workshops, and group activities designed to review local strategic directions, identify priority challenges, and develop comprehensive strategies and action plans.
Representatives from the city government, national government agencies, uniformed services, and CSOs are actively participating in the workshop, ensuring that diverse perspectives contribute to the formulation of the city’s peace and order and public safety roadmap.
The activity will culminate with the presentation of the draft POPS Plan CY 2026–2028 on the third day, which will then be subject to review and finalization.
