Isabela is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Ilagan and borders, clockwise from the south, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Cagayan. This primarily agricultural province is the second largest in the Philippines, and the largest on the island of Luzon.
Region: Cagayan Valley (Region II)
Capital: Ilagan
Founded: —
Population: 2000 census—1,287,575 (17th largest) Density—121 per km² (18th lowest)
One of the biggest dams in Asia, it is comprised of the Power House and related facilities built at a cost of PhP6.5 Billion. The water from the dam generates 360 megawatts of electricity for the Luzon Grid and supplies the irrigation diversion requirement for 102,000 hectares of agricultural land in Region 2 and CAR.
St. Mathias Church (Tumauini, Isabela)
Built in 1753 under Dominican Supervision and completed in 1805, it is an ultra-baroque church unique for its extensive use of baked clay both for wall finishing and ornamentation. Clay bricks come to life in concentric circles on the façade, spiral curves on the finial serpentine reliefs, and many finely molded details – flowers, foliage, surfaces, cherubs, and saints. Its architecture bears Chinese ancestry. This church of stone features a unique cylindrical bell tower that is the only one of its kind in the Philippines. It was declared a National Historical Landmark on February 24, 1989.
Sta. Victoria Caves and Environmental School
Located at Fuyo National Park, it is the first of its kind in the region to give environmental awareness education to its patrons. The area is a favorite destination for family bonding and educational trips.
San Pablo Church
Built in 1624, it is said to be the oldest in the province. Its lofty bell tower of six layers including the circular apex made of adobe is the tallest in the Cagayan Valley. San Pablo, the oldest town of Isabela, was founded by Padre de Sto. Tomas, 210 years before Isabela was made a province.
NEW "GREEN" RESORT IN DELFIN ALBANO ISABELA
The BOI has granted non-pioneer investment to TAPJ Resort and Restaurant, a 100% Filipino-owned resort in Barangay Aga, Delfin Albano, Isabela. Owned and managed by Mr. Thomas A. Pua, the project promotes an environment theme featuring a botanical garden that will be planted with 2,000 seedings of forest and fruit-bearing trees. The TAPJ was endorsed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and aims to provide tourist accommodations for local and foreign visitors to the province. It covers a total land area of 30,000 square meters and will be built with airconditioned restaurant, vacation cottages, two swimming pools, a four-hole fishpond stocked with tilapia and catfish, a botanical garden and ample seminar and conference facilities.
