Isabela

城市概覽

Isabela is considered among the richest and most progressive provinces in the Philippines. The province has three geographic areas. The eastern area, straddled by the Sierra Madre mountain range, is rugged and thickly forested. A substantial portion is uncharted. These unexplored hinterlands are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, and some are under government reservations. It is home to one of the world's largest remaining low-altitude rainforests, with numerous unknown endemic species of flora and fauna and biological diversity in the protected area known as the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. This primarily agricultural province is the rice and corn granary of Luzon due to its plain and rolling terrain. Major languages spoken are Ilocano followed by Ibanag, Yogad, and Gaddang.

History Isabela was colonized by the Spanish in the late 16th century. But due to indigenous resistance, only the towns along the Cagayan River basin and the route leading to Nueva Vizcaya were occupied by the Spanish, leaving a string of heritage churches in their wake. Nevertheless, Ilocano migration has upended the ethnic balance and turned indigenous peoples into minorities. The province was established in 1856 from the southernmost towns of Cagayan and what used to be the northern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya. It was named after Queen Isabella II of Spain. Like the rest of Cagayan Valley, Isabela was turned into the main production hub of tobacco during this time. Isabela, particularly Palanan, was the site of the last capital of the First Philippine Republic, which ceased to exist after President Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in Palanan in a daring American raid in 1901. The province was one of the first epicenters of the New People’s Army rebellion in the 1970s but gradually subsided by the 21st century.

如何抵達

By road Almost 180 km (110 mi) of the Asian Highway 26 pass through the different towns and cities of the province. Several bus companies offer daily trips to different routes like Manila, Dagupan, Baguio, Ilocos, and vice versa. Public utility vans and small-time bus operators ply daily trips from Tuguegarao in Cagayan to Santiago City vice versa, while jeepneys and tricycles are commonly used as the basic mode of transportation within the province's jurisdiction. Dinapigue is accessible only through Aurora province.

By plane There are three airports in the province. Cauayan Airport (CYZ IATA) is the primary airport in the province serving a trip to Manila, Palanan, and Maconacon. The other two are Palanan Airport in Palanan and Maconacon Airport in Maconacon. The country's leading passenger airlines Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines service the Cauayan-Manila-Cauayan Route. Light planes operated by Cyclone Airways and WCC Aviation's Sky Pasada have flights from Cauayan Domestic Airport to the community airports in Palanan and Maconacon. The northernmost parts of Isabela, including Cabagan, Tumauini, San Pablo, Delfin Albano, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, and Quezon, are serviced by Tuguegarao Airport in Cagayan, which is nearer.

By boat The Pacific coastal towns of Divilacan, Maconacon and Palanan are also accessed from Santa Ana in Cagayan or from Dinapigue using irregular ferry boats that involve a 9-hour journey across choppy waters.

當地交通

The main backbones of road travel in the province are the AH-26, which services the main cities of Isabela, and the parallel Santiago-Roxas-Tuguegarao Road, which services the Mallig Plains. Capillary roads connect the two thoroughfares. Vans and buses are the main forms of transportation between towns. A jeepney service operates between Cauayan and Ilagan. For travel within towns, a tricycle is the best option. Calesas (horse-drawn carriages) exist in Cabagan. In the rainy season, some bridges over the Cagayan River may be submerged. You may need to take a ferry, basically a small motor banca or a barge consisting of at least two motorized bancas tied together with a plank installed to accommodate vehicles. Since 2025, the Ipil Bridge along the Maharlika Highway in Echague has been closed to buses due to structural issues. Hence, passengers going to Alicia, Echague, and neighboring towns may need to change vehicles in Santiago, San Mateo, or Cauayan. Since 2019, construction is ongoing on a road to connect the coastal towns of Divilacan, Maconacon and Palanan.

必看景點

1 Tumauini Church (St. Matias Parish Church), Barangay 4, Tumauini. One of the oldest churches in Isabela and a designated national treasure. It contains the only cylindrical bell tower in the Philippines. Its striking red brick facade has intricate carvings and symbols, including an inscription of its construction date of 1784. (updated Jan 2026) 2 San Pablo Church (St. Paul the Apostle Parish Church, San Pablo Church Ruins), Barangay Poblacion, San Pablo. The oldest church in Isabela, built in the 17th century. (updated Jan 2026) 3 Alicia Church (Our Lady of Atocha Parish Church), Maharlika Highway, Barangay Magsaysay, Alicia. An 18th century heritage church. (updated Jan 2026) 4 Cauayan Church (Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church), Rizal Avenue, Barangay District III, Cauayan. An 18th century heritage church. (updated Jan 2026) 5 Gamu Church (St Rose of Lima Parish Church), Real Street, Barangay District III, Gamu. An 18th century heritage church. (updated Jan 2026) 6 National Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang (Guibang Shrine), Maharlika Highway, Barangay Guibang, Gamu. A shrine dedicated to the most venerated Roman Catholic symbol in Isabela, a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. Its feast day is on July 2. (updated Jan 2026) 7 Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP). An extensive protected area covering a large swathe of the Sierra Madre Mountains from the boundary with Cagayan to San Mariano town. Home to the indigenous Agta/Dumagat tribes, endemic species such as the Philippine crocodile, the Philippine eagle, the Isabela oriole, pitcher plants and virgin forests, in addition to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) peaks that have never been named or climbed by humans. (updated Jan 2026) 8 Ilagan Sanctuary (Fuyot Springs National Park), Barangay Santa Victoria, Ilagan. Part of the larger Fuyot Springs National Park, it is a resort/nature reserve containing a minizoo, swimming pools fed by natural springs, a series of small caves, and Pinsal Falls, acce

美食

Rice and corn-based delicacies and sweets are a staple here, including inatata, tupig and binalay. During corn harvest season, expect to see roadside vendors selling boiled or roasted corn cobs. Pancit Cabagan is a local noodle dish named after the town. Ilocano dishes such as pinakbet and igado, derived from liver, are common.