Through the encouragement of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, the city’s participation is helmed by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office led by LEDIPO Chief Jaime Juanito Rivera and the City Tourism Office headed by CTO Claudio Ramos II. Besides the Isabela City’s booth featuring local products and tourism ventures, the opening day, October 6, saw Mayor Turabin-Hataman herself doing a live shoot of ‘DAH Cooking Show’ with City Information Officer Mendry-Ann Lim. The two prepared the Tausug dish ‘syagul’ while discussing the many inroads made by the city in the area of socioeconomic development under the Turabin-Hataman administration.

The opening of ZAMPEX 2023 was graced by no less than Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe and Zamboanga City District 1 Representative Kyhmer Adan Olaso. They were joined by DTI IX Regional Director Engr. Al-Zamir Lipae, PNP PRO 9 Regional Director PBGEN Bowenn Joey Masauding, Department of Agriculture IX Regional Director Reynaldo Campoman, Philippine Coconut Authority IX Regional Director Ferdinand Acaylar, DTI Zamboanga City Provincial Director Grace Aduca and other officials of DTI IX.

Meanwhile, the LGU-Isabela City contingent was led by City Administrator Pedrito Eisma with City Accountant Abdel Azizs Edris, City Assessor Vido Yu, CHRMO Rosella Luna, PESO Manager Aradelria Belleng, CPDAO Gemma Casas-Paculio among others.

For its finale on October 8, ZAMPEX 2023 will showcase a curated performance by the Isabela City Tourism Office dubbed ‘PAGLALAKBAY: Mahal Kong Isabela de Basilan’ —a visual extravaganza featuring music, dance and fashion. (Words by M. Guerrero, CIO/Photos by LEDIPO)