Isabela
Isabela is the second-largest province in the Philippines and the largest in Luzon, covering an area of approximately 12,414.93 square kilometers. It is located in Region II – Cagayan Valley and is bordered by Cagayan to the north, Kalinga and Mountain Province to the west, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Ilagan City serves as its provincial capital.
Known as the “Rice and Corn Granary of the Philippines,” Isabela is a top agricultural producer, contributing significantly to the country’s food supply. The province is the leading producer of corn, and one of the top rice-producing provinces in the country. It also produces high-value crops such as tobacco, mungbean, and bananas, as well as livestock and poultry. The Magat Dam and Irrigation System, one of the largest hydroelectric and irrigation projects in Southeast Asia, plays a crucial role in supporting the province’s agricultural productivity.
Isabela also has a growing fisheries and aquaculture sector, supported by its inland bodies of water and fishponds. Additionally, the province is rich in forests and mineral resources, contributing to its potential for ecotourism and agroforestry industries.
Agricultural Sector
Isabela Province is a cornerstone of the Philippines’ agricultural sector, earning its reputation as the Rice and Corn Granary of the Philippines. The province’s fertile plains and favorable climate have positioned it as a leading producer of staple crops, contributing significantly to the nation’s food security.
Key Agricultural Highlights:
Rice Production: As the second-highest rice-producing province, Isabela accounts for about 15% of the national rice production annually.
Corn Production: Isabela is the country’s top corn-producing province, contributing approximately 13.02% to the annual national yellow corn output.
High-Value Crops: Beyond rice and corn, Isabela cultivates high-value crops such as mung bean (monggo), tobacco, coffee, banana, and mango, diversifying its agricultural portfolio and boosting the local economy.
Livestock and Poultry: The province has a growing livestock and poultry industry, with notable activities in dairy processing, hog production, cattle breeding, and commercial poultry raising.
Fisheries Sector
Isabela Province, located in the Cagayan Valley region, boasts a diverse fisheries sector encompassing marine, inland, and aquaculture activities.
Marine Fisheries: The province’s coastal municipalities—Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, and Dinapigue—border the Pacific Ocean, offering fertile fishing grounds rich in marine biodiversity.
Poverty Situation
Isabela Province has a poverty incidence of 19.92% as of 2021, meaning nearly one in five individuals live below the poverty threshold. This rate places Isabela slightly above the national poverty average of 18.1%, yet lower than some of its neighboring provinces in the Cagayan Valley. The province’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, making it vulnerable to challenges such as natural disasters, fluctuating crop prices, and market instability, which significantly affect the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk. Additionally, larger household sizes in rural areas contribute to resource constraints, further exacerbating poverty levels.
Project Profile
DA
The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Isabela focuses on boosting agricultural productivity and improving the livelihoods of marginalized farmers through targeted interventions. The key initiatives include:
- High-Value Crop Production Support – Distribution of certified seeds, fertilizers, and farm inputs to increase crop yield and ensure food security.
- Livestock Distribution – Provision of cattle to diversify income sources and support rural livelihoods.
- Farm Equipment Assistance – Providing tools, and other modern farm equipment to enhance efficiency and reduce labor costs.
- Training and Capacity Building – Conducting training sessions on sustainable farming practices, organic agriculture, and agribusiness management.
- Post-Harvest and Processing Support – Providing tools and equipment to improve product quality and marketability.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | San Isidro | Villaflor | Sustainable Cattle and High-Value Crops (Balance Fertilization and Pesticide Safe Strategy) Production in San Isidro, Isabela Province-with Community-Based Mushroom Production | Dur-as Farmers Association | 35 | 4,720,000.00 |
| 2024 | Luna | Santo Domingo | Sustainable High Value Crops Production Enterprise | Samahan Ng Tobacco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative | 30 | 1,932,850.00 |
| 2024 | San Isidro | Patanad | Sustainable Sheep and High Value Crops Production Enterprise | Patanad Farmers Association | 30 | 2,780,900.00 |
| 2024 | San Isidro | Villaflor | Provision of Greenhouse | Dur-as Farmers Association | 30 | 250,000.00 |
| 2025 | Luna | San Isidro | Sustainable High Value Crops Production Enterprise | San Isidro Luna Intergrated Farmers Association | 28 | 560,000.00 |
| 2025 | Luna | Santo Domingo | Sustainable Cattle Production | Samahan Ng Tobacco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative | 42 | 1,447,500.00 |
| 2025 | San Isidro | Patanad | Support to sustainable Sheep and HVC production enterprise | Patanad Farmers Association | 49 | 841,000.00 |
| 2025 | San Isidro | Ramos West | Sustainable High Value Crops Production Enterprise | Capayacan Ramos West Farmers Association | 34 | 490,000.00 |
| 2025 | San Isidro | Villaflor | Sustainable Cattle and High Value Crops Production Enterprise | Dur-as Farmers Association | 25 | 100,000.00 |
BFAR
The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the BFAR in Isabela focuses on boosting agricultural productivity and improving the livelihoods of marginalized farmers through targeted interventions. The key initiatives include:
- Aquaculture Development:
- Providing fingerlings and training for fishpond or cage culture, especially for species like tilapia.
- Supporting the establishment of community-based aquaculture projects.
- Capture Fisheries Support:
- Providing appropriate fishing gear and training on sustainable fishing practices.
- Supporting the management of inland water resources.
- Post-Harvest and Marketing:
- Training on fish processing and preservation techniques.
- Facilitating access to markets for fish products.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bombon | San Jose (Pob.) | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Bombon Fishpond Operators Association | 57 | 1,450,744.00 |
| 2023 | Buhi | Santa Isabel | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Buhi Indigenous People Farmers And Fishermen Association | 19 | 1,286,680.00 |
| 2023 | Cabusao | Pandan | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Samahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan | 42 | 972,552.00 |
| 2023 | Camaligan | Tarosanan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Team Camaligan Hanap-buhay Association | 20 | 1,100,980.00 |
| 2023 | Gainza | Cagbunga | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association | 20 | 1,286,680.00 |
| 2023 | Garchitorena | Mansangat | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Mansangat Farmers And Fishermen Association | 20 | 421,940.00 |
| 2023 | Goa | Gimaga | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Goa Fisherfolk And Farmers Association | 65 | 1,078,976.00 |
| 2023 | Libmanan | Tinalmud Nuevo | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Punto Asul Fisherfolk Association | 30 | 560,940.00 |
| 2023 | Sagñay | Nato | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Sikap Parapangke Association | 50 | 934,900.00 |
| 2023 | San Fernando | Cotmo | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | San Fernando Fisherfolk Association | 35 | 1,336,179.00 |
| 2023 | Siruma | Pinitan | Seaweed Culture | Samahan Ng Mga Mangingisda Ng Pinitan (smp), Inc | 34 | 984,000.00 |
| 2023 | Tigaon | San Antonio | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association | 52 | 1,450,744.00 |
| 2024 | Bombon | San Jose (Pob.) | Tilapia and Catfish Culture in Pond | Bombon Fishpond Operator Association | 43 | 1,408,548.00 |
| 2024 | Buhi | Santa Isabel | Tilapia Culture in Modified Cage | Buhi Indigenous Peoples Farmers And Fishermen Agriculture Cooperative | 18 | 766,000.00 |
| 2024 | Cabusao | Pandan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Samahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan | 42 | 1,802,200.00 |
| 2024 | Camaligan | Tarosanan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Team Camaligan Hanap-buhay Association | 20 | 130,000.00 |
| 2024 | Gainza | Cagbunga | Fishing Gear (Freshwater Gillnet) | Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association | 19 | 185,000.00 |
| 2024 | Garchitorena | Mansangat | Motorized boat (22 footer) | Mansangat Farmers And Fisherfolk Association | 17 | 868,000.00 |
| 2024 | Goa | Gimaga | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Goa Fisherfolk And Farmers Association | 62 | 848,894.00 |
| 2024 | Libmanan | Tinalmud Nuevo | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Punto Asul Fisherfolk Organization | 30 | 868,000.00 |
| 2024 | Sagñay | Nato | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Sikap Parapangke Association | 50 | 1,232,885.00 |
| 2024 | San Fernando | Cotmo | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | San Fernando Coastal Fisherfolk Association | 28 | 868,000.00 |
| 2024 | Siruma | Pinitan | Fishing Gear (Crab Entangling Net and Crab/Squid Pot) in Support to Seaweed Culture | Samahan Ng Mga Mangigisda Ng Pinitan (smp), Inc | 30 | 808,404.00 |
| 2024 | Tigaon | San Antonio | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association | 33 | 848,894.00 |
| 2025 | Bombon | San Jose (Pob.) | Catfish Culture in Pond | Bombon Fishpond Operators Association | 45 | 1,272,050.00 |
| 2025 | Buhi | Santa Isabel | Tilapia Culture in 1900 sqm Modified Cage in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Buhi Indigenous Peoples Farmers Fisherfolk Agriculture Cooperative | 19 | 1,861,380.00 |
| 2025 | Cabusao | Pandan | Non-motorized boat (30 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Samahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan | 42 | 1,499,500.00 |
| 2025 | Camaligan | Tarosanan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Team Camaligan Hanapbuhay Association | 19 | 500,605.00 |
| 2025 | Gainza | Cagbunga | Fishing Gear (Freshwater Gillnet) | Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association | 21 | 302,200.00 |
| 2025 | Garchitorena | Mansangat | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Mansangat Farmers And Fishermen Association | 20 | 324,000.00 |
| 2025 | Goa | Gimaga | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Goa Fisherfolks And Farmers Association | 63 | 1,813,380.00 |
| 2025 | Libmanan | Tinalmud Nuevo | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Punto Azul Fisherfolk Organization | 30 | 1,435,080.00 |
| 2025 | Sagñay | Nato | Milkfish Culture in Pond | Sikap Parapangke Association | 46 | 1,654,550.00 |
| 2025 | San Fernando | Pinamasagan | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | San Fernando Fisherfolk Association | 29 | 1,227,408.00 |
| 2025 | Siruma | Pinitan | Seaweed Culture | Samahan Ng Mangingisda Ng Pinitan Inc. | 34 | 210,000.00 |
| 2025 | Tigaon | San Antonio | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association | 42 | 1,644,130.00 |