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Isabela - Rice Granary of
the North
Dubbed as the ‘Rice
Granary of the North’, Isabela is gifted with vast agricultural
lands which grow quality rice, tobacco, and crops which are
exported to other countries. Most farmlands in the province
are highly mechanized.
The biggest dam project in
the Asia during its construction, the Magat Dam, is located
in the province as well. The dam supplies water to the farmland
and households and electricity to certain parts of the region
and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Demographics
1. Population – 1,401,495
(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area –10,644.6 sq. km
3. Capital – Ilagan
4. Language/Dialect –Ilocano, Ibanag, Yogad, Gaddang, English,
and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (2)
- Cauayan City
- Santiago City
Municipalities (8)
- Alicia
- Angadanan
- Aurora
- Benito Soliven
- Burgos
- Cabagan
- Cabatuan
- Cordon
- Delfin Albano (Magsaysay)
- Dinapigue
- Divilacan
- Echague
- Gamu
- Ilagan
- Jones
- Luna
- Maconacon
- Mallig
- Naguilian
- Palanan
- Quezon
- Quirino
- Ramon
- Reina Mercedes
- Roxas
- San Agustin
- San Guillermo
- San Isidro
- San Manuel
- San Mariano
- San Mateo
- San Pablo
- Santa Maria
- Santo Tomas
- Tumauini
Famous For...
Magat Dam
It was Asia’s biggest dam project at the time of its construction.
Aside from serving as a water reservoir, it is also used as
a hydro electric power plant.
St. Mathias Church
A National Historical Landmark, this church has a unique cylindrical
belfry, the only one of its kind in the country.
Northern Sierra
Madre Natural Park
This 300,000-hectare protected rainforest is home to endemic
species of flora and fauna and exceptional biological diversity
World’s Biggest
Butaka
This lounge chair is a Guinness Book of World Records holder
for the biggest lounge chair in the world. It was constructed
by 25 workers in 29 days.
Our Lady of the
Visitation National Shrine
The image of the Miraculous Lady of the Visitacion is as popular
as the Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan. Every July, religious pilgrims
come to offer prayers of thanks and to ask for another year
of good fortune.
Delectable food
Savor the taste of the famous binallay, a special rice cake
wrapped in banana leaves. This delicacy from Ilagan requires
certain skill to be able to eat every single bit of this stick
and sweet desert.
Places of Interest...
Cultural
Isabela Museum and Library
Location: San Pablo, Isabela
Artifacts, fossils, ethnographic items, heirloom pieces, visual
arts (photographs, paintings, sculpture, and graphic arts);
historical and cultural dioramas, and miniature models of provincial
landmarks are among the contents of this 10-year old museum.
Historical
Aguinaldo Shrine
Location: Palanan, Isabela
This is the site where the American forces capture President
General Emilio Aguinaldo, thus ending the Philippine –
American War in 1901.
Natural
Northern Sierra
Madre Natural Park
Location: Palanan, Isabela
It is the largest protected area in the country with more than
300,000 hectares of rainforest, and the lowest at 800 feet above
sea level. Due to the lack of roads, it has remained unpolluted
and undisturbed by loggers. It is a confirmed habitat of the
endangered Philippine Eagle and the Cloud Rat.
Man-made
World’s Biggest
Butaka
Location: Brgy. Alinguigan Ilagan, Isabela
This world record butaka measure at 11 feet 4 inches high, 20
feet 8 inches long, and 9 feet 7 inches wide. Thus, Ilagan was
tagged as the “Butaka City of Isabela.”
Magat Dam and Magat
Hydro Electric Power Plant
Location: Ramon, Isabela
The water from the dam generates 360 megawatts of electricity
for the Luzon Grid and supplies the irrigation for the agricultural
land in Region 2 and CAR. Its reservoir area of 4,450 hectares
has a great potential for water-based recreation like fishing,
boating and water skiing, among others.
Religious
Shrine of Our Lady
of the Visitation
Location: Brgy. Guibang, Gamu, Isabela
The shrine is filled of devotees every July 2, the feast day
of the Our Lady of the Visitacion. These pilgrims come to offer
prayers of thanks and to ask for another year of good fortune.
Parish Church of
St. Mathias
Location: Tumauini, Isabela
It is an ultra-baroque church unique for its extensive use of
baked clay both for wall finishing and ornamentation. This church
of stone features a unique cylindrical bell tower that is the
only one of its kind in the Philippines.
Festivals...
Bambanti Festival
Place: Isabela Province
Date: May 10
Banbanti is a term which means ‘scarecrow’. The
festival is a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of rice
and corn and other agricultural products of Isabela. Locals
celebrate through street dancing and float parades.
Feast of Our Lady
of the Visitacion
Place: Brgy. Guibang, Gamu, Isabela
Date: July 2
Pilgrims from all over and outside the province participate
in the religious activities prepared by the parish. |
