PCCI Isabela de Basilan

The Isabela City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the Isabela City LEDIPO and the Investment and Promotion Officer Network of the different barangays of Isabela City, joined the 35th Mindanao Business Conference held at the Limketkai Atrium in Cagayan de Oro City.

Through the conference, we promoted Isabela City’s investment opportunities under the GoGo Isabela program and strengthened partnerships for inclusive growth and economic development.

𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙖 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙖 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮

The Isabela City Chamber of Commerce and Industry condemns the recent shooting incidents and extends our condolences to the victims and their families.

It took us a long time to reach the peace we now enjoy, but to suddenly see it threatened by these acts of violence is deeply alarming. We cannot allow fear and lawlessness to undo the progress our city has made in building a safe and business-friendly environment.

We call on the Philippine National Police to:

1. Conduct a swift investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
2. Increase police visibility in commercial and public areas to ensure safety.
3. Work closely with civic and business sectors to address security concerns and prevent further violence. Safety affects everyone.

The safety of our people and businesses depends on decisive police action. We trust the PNP will act promptly to restore peace and confidence in Isabela City. A safe city is the foundation of a strong economy and a prosperous community.

We urge the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with authorities, and reject violence in all forms. Let us stand united in protecting the future of Isabela City.

Julie-Ann Marie R. Lim
President
Isabela City Chamber of Commerce and Industry

February 17, 2026

THE HONORABLE MUJIV S. HATAMAN
Governor of Basilan
Sta. Clara Brgy. Lamitan City

Dear Governor,

Warmest Greetings of Peace!

On behalf of the Isabela City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I am writing to bring to your attention the challenges faced by our members, particularly the small-scale businessmen, in transporting goods from Zamboanga City to Isabela City.

Since the suspension of Aleson Shipping Lines, the transportation of goods has become increasingly challenging. The Roll-on Roll-off services have become more expensive compared to Aleson’s previous rates, particularly for loose cargoes. It has become nearly impossible to transport goods without backloading them onto trucks, further adding to the difficulties. This has severely impacted the availability of perishable goods like chicken, eggs and vegetables in the entire Basilan Province, as they require urgent transportation. Weesam Express has become an option, but at a significantly higher cost. For instance, transporting a sack of chicken (80kg) now costs around Php800, a stark contrast to Aleson’s previous rate of Php34-Php50 as per the bill of lading. This is the reality that the business sector is facing. This has led to increased prices of these essential goods in the province, affecting both businessmen and consumers. The lack of affordable shipping options has also discouraged local farmers and producers from expanding their operations, hindering the region’s economic growth.

To address this , we respectfully request your assistance in exploring ways to restore affordable and reliable shipping services, or providing support for small-scale shippers. We believe that with your intervention, we can find a solution to alleviate the transportation challenges and ensure the availability of essential goods in Isabela City and Basilan Province as a whole.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong tulong. We look forward to your response and action.

Sincerely,

Julie-Ann Marie R. Lim
President-PCCI Isabela de Basilan