17/02/2026
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 Alesonโs 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 Alesonโs 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 regionโs 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