History

The Ibanags, Yogads, Gaddangs populated the region corresponding to present day Isabela at the time of Spanish conquest in the late 16^th century. Dominican missionaries established missions in areas of upper Cagayan in 1599 as far inland as Tumauini, in the northern part of Isabela. The old town of Cabagan (now the municipality of San Pablo) became the center of missionary activity for the upper Cagayan River region. Due to the continued hostility of the natives, however, evangelization proceeded slowly.

The growth of the settlements in the upper Cagayan River proceeded gradually over the next two centuries but late 18^th century economic reforms spurred economic growth and agricultural expansion into the region. In 1782, the government imposed the tobacco monopoly. The residents of upper Cagayan were forbidden from cultivating the item and forced to buy the product from government-run stores. Three years later, the people revolted in protest of the monopoly. Many towns were reduced in size because residents chose to flee into the hills rather than give up tobacco cultivation.

In 1797, the town of Ilagan (in central Isabela) was authorized to cultivate tobacco for the monopoly. The extent of tobacco cultivation increased over the next thirty years until the region became the largest single producer of high-grade tobacco in the country.

In 1856, Isabela was created from parts of Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan and named after Queen Isabela II of Spain. During the mid-19^th century, tobacco became one of the most important Philippine exports and the most esteemed product came from Isabela. The brand name ‘La Flor de Isabela’ became synonymous to the best Philippine tobacco. Due to the increasing demand for Isabela tobacco in both domestic and international markets, the Spanish government encouraged largescale immigration from the Ilocos region.

Isabela provided refuge and aid to the retinue of President Emilio Aguinaldo between 1900 and 1901. For five months, Aguinaldo and his men made their headquarters at Palanan on the remote Pacific coast of Isabela. On March 23, 1901, Aguinaldo was captured by American troops, ending the existence of the Republican government.

People, Culture and the Arts

The influx of Ilocanos into Isabela, have made them the great majority of the province’s resident population. Ibanags compose the second largest ethnolinguistic group and are concentrated in the municipalities of Cabagan, Tumauini and Ilagan. Gaddangs and Yogads are scattered among the western and central lowlands, while Agtas and various other Negrito groups live in the Sierra Mountains. Tagalogs live in the coastal enclave of Palanan. Most of the lowland groups are integrated into the mainstream of Filipino culture and are indistinguishable except for their language. Ilocano is the common language understood and used in the province.

Despite the assimilation of most of Isabela's people into the mainstream of Philippine culture, some ethnic artistic expressions have survived until today. Ibanag literary traditions have survived in the form of old songs, proverbs, and poems that are still sung today, accompanied by indigenous musical instruments. These instruments produce both melancholy as well as martial tunes, reinforcing the cadence and theme of the spoken word. The oral traditions of the unoni, the berso, and the pabattang excellently convey folklore and ethnic values of the Ibanags. The Yogads, on the other hand, continue to produce and use the butting, a unique guitar. It is a bamboo bow using tukmoy fibers as strings.

The ancient Catholic churches of Isabela are among the more interesting representatives of Spanish colonial architecture in the Philippines. Made almost entirely of brick, because of the lack of quarry stones in the Cagayan region, the churches are intricately decorated with unusual motifs. The churches of San Pablo (old Cabagan), Tumauini and Echague (formerly Camarag) are fine examples of this unique architecture.

Trade and Investments

The vastness of Isabela and the wealth of its resources open a lot of potentials for the province. The province has 10,665 square kilometers of land, about half of which is covered with extensive forests. The fertile Cagayan River valley allows intensive agriculture. The lightly explored 208-kilometer Pacific coast is a potentially rich fishing ground. The province can also tap its vast mineral reserves, which include gold, chromite, zinc, manganese, nickel and copper. Isabela can rely on the largest labor force in the region to work its industries. Isabela's workforce is young and highly literate and is supported by ten educational institutions and a variety of technical and vocational schools.

The 540-megawatt Magat hydroelectric power plant and high dam supplies both power and irrigation to Isabela. There is also an abundance of water for irrigation and drinking purposes supplied by the great number of rivers, streams, lakes and artesian wells. Water is distributed to all municipalities. At present, 10 cities and municipalities enjoy direct international and domestic telephone connections. The province is very accessible by land and air. A good network of roads crisscrosses the province and links up with the concreted Maharlika Highway system. More than 20 bus firms provide regular trips to and from Manila daily. Cauayan airport is large enough to accommodate Boeing 737 jets and four other airstrips cater to light aircrafts.

Wood-based industries continue to provide investment possibilities for Isabela. Proper management, conservation and protection of this precious resource will continue to make these endeavors self-sustaining. The province is also encouraging investments in rattan processing and furniture, as well as handicraft and toys and gifts manufacture that rely on the abundance of raw materials.

Agriculture remains an important investment field. The availability of fertile land on which products such as rice, corn, tobacco, mangoes, cacao, cassava, peanuts, pineapples, calamansi, soybeans and mung beans can be planted, also supports the raw material requirements of the growing food processing industry. Mineral deposits can also be developed for viable commercial extraction.

Isabela’s eastern mountains and Pacific coast are still untouched by development. The pristine, powdery white beaches of the coast, lush virgin forests, and unexplored cave and river systems can be developed to cater to a growing eco-tourism industry. The province is fast becoming a surfers´ paradise and a challenging area of exploration and adventure for trekkers. The implementation of the Coastal Isabela Tourism Estates (CITE) is focused on constructing an airport and seaport to link the Isabela coast to the rest of the country. Investing in better accommodations, transportation facilities, resorts and restaurants to support this endeavor is potentially profitable. The province’s large population is also a potentially attractive market for goods and services.

Partnership Initiatives

The forests of Isabela have long been the source of good timber that has driven its wood-based industries. However, illegal logging operations, most of which enjoys political support, threatened to destroy the remaining forests and bring ecological disaster to the province. The DENR is the main agency tasked with protecting the forests but LGU initiatives, spawned by the passage of the Local Government Code have been launched to complement the DENR's work. A Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee was created with representatives from the provincial government, the DENR and other sectors of Isabela society to preserve and protect the forests. Through information campaigns, aggressive enforcement of conservation laws and the introduction of alternative livelihood sources for loggers, the MFPC has significantly reduced the incidence of illegal logging in the province. A sustained commitment from all the involved sectors will allow the MFPC to realize its mandate.

Development Initiative Highlights: