ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 17 (PIA) – Isabela City’s former dumpsite in Sitio Lantung, Barangay Baluno has been transformed into an ecological park that can soon be enjoyed by Isabeleños and visitors here.

The said dumpsite was closed on May 29, 2018 during the administration of former Mayor Al-qaid Akbar who has a vision of making Isabela cleaner and greener in the years to come. The area is located inside a 32-hectare city-owned property acquired during the incumbency of the late Mayor Luis Biel and was opened and operated as a controlled dumpsite for many years until its closure by Mayor Akbar upon consultations with DENR EMB IX.

Now the transformation of the former dumpsite is a result of the Isabela City’s Solid Waste Management (CSWM) Team’s efforts to intensify cleanliness and orderliness of the city’s main thoroughfares and facilities. They ensure the smooth implementation of regular garbage collection, vegetation control, janitorial needs in all government establishments and maintaining the cleanliness of public roads and all government’s installations.

Mayor Sitti Djalia T. Hataman in her 2^nd State of the City Address on July 08 reported that the City Government also allocated P3,252.959.81 for the construction and landscaping of Ecological Park Dumpsite (Phase 1) which was started on April 27, 2020.

Mayor Hataman also emphasized their programs on solid waste segregation to include the procurement of alternative technology machinery/biodegradable waste shredder machine, the conduct of solid waste segregation at dumpsite and the conduct of information, education and communication campaign on solid waste management in different barangays, assemblies and public markets through the Kontra Kalat Basura Task Force.

“Mas malinis na po ang Isabela City ngayon kaysa noong nadatnan natin, marami ng pagbabago,” Mayor Hataman stressed.

Hataman also lauded and expressed her gratitude to the Barangay Chairpersons of 45 barangays in Isabela City for their support to all the plans, programs and activities of the city government.

Earlier this month, Chairperson Sitti Khadija Amil of Diki Barangay, together with the CSWM Team also showed their support in the cleanliness program through taking immediate action to the garbage problem in Diki Barangay.

A clean and environment-friendly Isabela City is one of the Top 9 Priority Agenda of Mayor Sitti Djalia T. Hataman in her administration. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)