Isabela Province
Also known as: Province of Isabela · Corn Capital of the Philippines
Definition
Isabela Province, officially the Province of Isabela, is a province in the Cagayan Valley region of the Philippines, located in northeastern Luzon. It is the second largest province in the country by land area and the most populous in Cagayan Valley. The capital of the province is Ilagan City, while Santiago City serves as its independent commercial center. Driven by agriculture, Isabela is known as the Corn Capital of the Philippines. Its major component cities and municipalities include Ilagan, Santiago, Cauayan, Roxas, Alicia, Tumauini, and Cabagan. (Wikipedia, Isabela Govt)
Identities
| Source Type | Identity |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Isabela (province) |
| Wikidata | Q13813 |
| DBpedia | Isabela_ |
| ProductOntology | N/A |
| Wiktionary | isabela |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) | Isabela (Philippines) — History |
| MeSH | N/A |
| NCBI Taxonomy | N/A |
| AGROVOC | N/A |
| Google Scholar | Isabela province agriculture corn production Ilagan economy |
| ConceptNet | isabela |
| OpenCyc | N/A |
Also Known As
- Province of Isabela
- Corn Capital of the Philippines
Examples and Analogies
- Giant Corn Processing: Isabela hosts the largest post-harvest corn processing facility in Asia (in Reina Mercedes), handling thousands of metric tons of corn grain daily.
- Modern Agro-Industrial City: Cauayan City is recognized as a pioneer ‘smart city’ in the region, using digital systems to support local farmers.
Usage Scenarios
1. Establishing a Feed Mill
A livestock feed manufacturer purchases land in Alicia to build a milling facility next to corn farming cooperatives.
2. Acquiring Commercial Offices
A commercial retail brand leases space in Santiago City to establish a regional headquarters for the Cagayan Valley market.
Strategies
- Utilize the Cauayan Domestic Airport for executive transport and light air cargo logistics to Metro Manila.
- Consult the Magat Dam water release schedules to prepare for seasonal flooding in low-lying river areas.
Security and Safety Measures
- Verify that properties along the Sierra Madre foothills do not encroach on the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park conservation zones.
- Conduct land checks to ensure properties are free of active agrarian claims before entering purchase contracts.
Historical Context
Isabela was created on May 1, 1856, through a royal decree by Spanish Queen Isabella II, carving out territory from Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya. The province played a key role in the Philippine-American War, being the site where President Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in Palanan in 1901. Isabela developed rapidly from a tobacco-growing region into the top corn and rice producing province of northern Luzon by the late 20th century. (Wikipedia)
Challenges and Controversies
Seasonal River Flooding
The Cagayan River runs through the province, and heavy rains often cause severe flooding that submerges low-lying bridges and crop fields.
Coastal Isolation
The coastal towns of Palanan, Maconacon, and Divilacan are isolated from the rest of the province by the Sierra Madre mountains, reachable only by boat or light plane.