Ilagan, Province of Isabela, Cagayan Valley Region, Philippines

🇵🇭 Ilagan, officially the City of Ilagan, is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Isabela, Philippines.

With a total land area of 116,626 hectares (288,190 acres), it is the largest city on the island of Luzon and the fourth largest city in land area in the Philippines, after Davao City, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga City.

Etymology From an inversion of the Ibanag word nagali which means move or transfer in the English language, due to the relocation of the site of the capital from Naguilian Baculod to its present site in barangay San Vicente. The move was due to the economy and security of the town. Another etymology, according to Fr. Julian Malumbres, Ilagan derived its name from the word laga, an Ibanag word for smallpox during the town's founding in 1686 when the disease was widespread.

History The town was then called by its native Gaddang settlers as Bolo during the pre-Spanish conquest era. It was one of the populous settlements during that period and the site of the vast tobacco plantation in the region making it one of the most important economic areas in northern Luzon.

Spanish colonial era In 1581, Governor-General Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa sent Capt. Juan Pablo Carreon to explore Cagayan Valley as well as to establish missions. Among the Spanish missionaries who penetrated deeply into the region was Pedro Jimenez, who founded Ilagan.

The town of Bolo was founded by the Dominicans in 1619 in honor of Saint Ferdinand of Castile. The old Bolo was situated on the western side of Cagayan River in what is known today as barangay Naguilian-Baculod. The cultural shock brought by the dominating social and economic regulations introduced by the Spanish authorities propelled the natives to dissent in the Mallig and the Ilagan-Tumauini territories in what was known as the Gaddang Revolution. The natives abandoned their settlement after burning their church and houses until 1622 when the Spanish government pardoned and exempted them from paying tribute within three years. After the Gaddang revolt, the natives re-established their settlement upon the efforts of Fr. Pedro Jimenez in 1678 on the east side of the river thereby giving the legendary name for Ilagan which is the reverse of the word nagali meaning move or transfer. The Dominicans accepted the settlement as an ecclesiastical mission given the name San Fernando de Ilagan in honor of its patron, Saint Ferdinand of Castile.

Foundation On May 4, 1686, Ilagan was founded and missionaries converted the natives to Catholicism. Ilagan was made the capital town of Cagayan Valley when Brig. Manuel Sanchez Mira was then the governor of the whole territory.

In 1763, Ilagan was the scene of the revolt led by Dabo and Juan Marayag against the collection of tribute, the enforcement of tobacco monopoly committed by the friars during the Spanish colonization.

On May 1, 1856, Ilagan became the capital town when Isabela de Luzon was founded.

American colonial era Present-day Ilagan is an area that was detached from the old province of Nueva Vizcaya. The first municipal president of the town, Rafael Maramag, added luster to the history of his hometown by becoming the first governor of the province of Isabela after its reorganization by the Americans in 1901.

On August 4, 1901, the American occupation under the United States-Philippine Commission enacted the Provincial Government Act 210 that re-established Isabela and other provinces in the Philippines. Rafael Maramag, a former municipal president (mayor) of Ilagan was appointed as the first governor. The act then re-established Ilagan as the provincial capital.

On November 13, 1925, Gaffud approved a resolution filed by all Municipal Presidents of the Isabela (the counterpart of the present-day Mayor's League) following a four-day convention. The resolution called for the erection of a monument in honor of the country's National Hero José Rizal in Ilagan public plaza located in barangay Bagumbayan.

Japanese occupation The fortunes of Isabela as a province and Ilagan as a town followed a similar path to the rest of the country's history as a commonwealth nation and as a free republic in 1942, the Japanese occupation, liberation, political and military independence to this day.

On June 19, 1945, Ilagan was liberated from the Japanese Army as part of the liberation campaign with the combined forces of 14th Infantry, United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL), under the command of Lt Col. Romulo A. Manriquez, and the 37th Division of the U.S. Sixth Army against the Japanese.

During this era, a man-made tunnel was constructed from the sweat and blood of detained Ilagueños and it is now a tourist destination in the city. The tunnels are believed to have served as headquarters of the Japanese soldiers.

Philippine independence By the turn of the 1950s, the new Poblacion was located uphill from the old Saint Ferdinand Parish Church, formerly known as Saint Ferdinand Cathedral in barangay Bagumbayan to barangay San Vicente, which is the site of the current City Hall.

The Martial Law era When Ferdinand Marcos' September 1972 declaration of Martial Law began 14 years of authoritarian rule, the province of Isabela - including Ilagan - became a centre of both conflict and protest when Marcos cronies Danding Cojuangco and Antonio Carag managed to block a Spanish-era grant which was supposed to see the return of Hacienda San Antonio and Hacienda Santa Isabel in Ilagan to local farmers. Cojuangco and Carag purchased the two haciendas themselves, displacing tens of thousands of farmers who were supposed to get those lands back a hundred years after the Spanish acquired them.

In its desire to serve its parishioners, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilagan hosted a Social Action Center which would help the farmers. In the Social Action Center's newsletter, the "Courier", researcher Sabino Padilla Jr. documented and exposed the ways by which Cojuangco, Carag, the provincial government, and the military harassed the farmers who were supposed to get the land. This all led to a protest march in joined by 12,000 protesters from all over Isabela, and eventually, for 4,000 farmers to finally get the titles to their land. But it also earned the ire of the administration.

In 1982, Padilla and 12 others were arrested by the regime and jailed under poor conditions at the Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya Stockade of the Philippine Constabulary until almost the end of the Marcos regime.

In 1983, soldiers went as far as to raid the residence of the Bishop of Ilagan, Miguel Purugganan, in search of alleged rebels and firearms. They found none but continued to keep Bishop Puruggananan and the church workers under him under military surveillance.

Cityhood Ilagan has attempted to gain cityhood status at least three times in its history: • On February 2, 1998, congress passed Republic Act 8474 which sought to convert Ilagan into a city. But the plebiscite held on March 14, 1999, turned down its bid for cityhood. The majority of the people voted no in that event. • On March 2, 2005, House bill no. 3847 was filed and approved by the house and transmitted for the cityhood of Ilagan but remained pending concurrence in the senate. The bill did not go through when mayor Delfinito Albano was gunned down by three unidentified men in the night of June 27, 2006, in Quezon City. The campaign used the term C-U-DAD Ilagan for the cityhood status of Ilagan. • On February 27, 2012, Ilagan renewed its bid for cityhood as sponsored by House bill no. 5917. Local officials of the town expressed support for the town's conversion into a city. On May 22, 2012, the congress approved the cityhood bill of Ilagan on its House resolution no. 144 and was signed by then President Benigno Aquino III on June 21, 2012. Plebiscite was held on August 11, 2012, with a majority of votes voting yes. By virtue of Republic Act 10169, Ilagan was then proclaimed as a new component city, the third in the province of Isabela and the fourth in Cagayan Valley on the same day by COMELEC Commissioner Armando Velasco.

Geography The city is located in the central portion of the province of Isabela. It is bounded by nine municipalities: on the north by the municipalities of Divilacan, Tumauini, and Delfin Albano; on the west by the municipality of Quirino; on the east by the municipalities of Divilacan and Palanan, and the Pacific Ocean; and on the south by the municipalities of Gamu, Naguilian, Benito Soliven and San Mariano. Ilagan is 83 km (52 mi) south of Tuguegarao and 398 km (247 mi) north of Metro Manila (linked by a national highway via Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya).

Barangays Ilagan City is politically subdivided into 91 barangays, the highest number of barangays in the province.  Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Currently, 13 barangays in the city are considered urban (highlighted in bold). Barangays are grouped into 4 clusters, namely Centro Poblacion Cluster, Northeastern Cluster, San Antonio Cluster, and Western Cluster. • Aggasian • Alibagu • Alinguigan 1st • Alinguigan 2nd • Alinguigan 3rd • Arusip • Baculud (Poblacion) • Bagong Silang • Bagumbayan (Poblacion) • Baligatan • Ballacong • Bangag • Batong-Labang • Bigao • Cabannungan 1st • Cabannungan 2nd • Cabeseria 2 (Dappat) • Cabeseria 3 (San Fernando) • Cabeseria 4 (San Manuel) • Cabeseria 5 (Baribad) • Cabeseria 6 and 24 (Villa Marcos) • Cabeseria 7 (Nangalisan) • Cabeseria 9 and 11 (Capogotan) • Cabeseria 10 (Lupigui) • Cabeseria 14 and 16 (Casilagan) • Cabeseria 17 and 21 (San Rafael) • Cabeseria 19 (Villa Suerte) • Cabeseria 22 (Sablang) • Cabeseria 23 (San Francisco) • Cabeseria 25 (Santa Lucia) • Cabeseria 27 (Abuan) • Cadu • Calamagui 1st • Calamagui 2nd • Camunatan • Capellan • Capo • Carikkikan Norte • Carikkikan Sur • Centro - San Antonio • Centro Poblacion • Fugu • Fuyo • Gayong-Gayong Norte • Gayong-Gayong Sur • Guinatan • Imelda Bliss Village • Lullutan • Malalam • Malasin (Angeles) • Manaring • Mangcuram • Marana I • Marana II • Marana III • Minabang • Morado • Naguilian Norte • Naguilian Sur • Namnama • Nanaguan • Osmeña (Sinippil) • Paliueg • Pasa • Pilar • Quimalabasa • Rang-ayan (Bintacan) • Rugao • Salindingan • San Andres (Angarilla) • San Felipe • San Ignacio (Canapi) • San Isidro • San Juan • San Lorenzo • San Pablo • San Rodrigo • San Vicente (Poblacion) • Santa Barbara (Poblacion) • Santa Catalina • Santa Isabel Norte • Santa Isabel Sur • Santa Maria (Cabeseria 8) • Santa Victoria • Santo Tomas • Siffu • Sindon Bayabo • Sindon Maride • Sipay • Tangcul • Villa Imelda (Maplas)

As of December 31, 2022, the following barangays are considered urban: Alibagu, Baculud, Bagumbayan, Baligatan, Calamagui 1st, Calamagui 2nd, Centro Poblacion, Guinatan, Imelda Bliss Village, Osmeña, San Vicente, Santa Barbara, and Santa Isabel Sur.

Land Of the total 1,166.26 km² land area of Ilagan; 31% are agricultural, 36% are forest areas, and the remaining 33% are built-up areas and open grassland areas that are available for industrial, commercial and residential uses.

Economy At present, Ilagan has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the province of Isabela as well as in the whole Cagayan Valley over the past years. The city is the primary growth centre and investment hub of the Cagayan Valley region due to the rapid commercialization and stabilization of the different sectors involved in its economy.

The transformation of Ilagan into a fast-growing city in Cagayan Valley became evident upon the assumption into office of then Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz, the re-structuring of the economic landscape of the city and the eventual transformation of its business climate into a business-friendly environment successfully lured multi-national companies in investing their capitals into its market. The economic boom began to engulf Ilagan with the entry of eight banks and financial institutions in just several months.

The Local Government of Ilagan responded positively to these developments by the enactment of legislative measures including the provision of the Investment Incentive Code which provided for tax incentives to investments. These measures eventually opened the floodgates for big investments to enter the local market that included the establishments of malls like the Xentro Mall (formerly called Northstar Mall) and Talavera Square Mall that house the Savemore, Robinsons Supermarket, Puregold, Jollibee, McDonald's, Red Ribbon, Goldilocks, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Ace Hardware, D.I.Y. Hardware, Pandayan Bookshop, Watsons, MR.DIY, Mercury Drug, Infinitea, Black Scoop Café, Turks Shawarma, 7-Eleven, Havaianas and many other stores.

Agriculture, fishery, and animal industry Agriculture and fishery remain the main backbone of Ilagan's economy. There are almost 23,803 hectares that are cultivated land and 314 hectares are utilized for fish culture. However, the suitable farm area of Ilagan is 32,153.19 hectares with potential for crops, livestock, and fish production. This figure shows that a significant percentage (24.99%) is not being fully utilized for agricultural production leaving them idle and underutilized.

Most of the industries in the city are agri-based. For the last ten years, there has been a great number of local investment in poultry and hog raising. There are seven poultry contract growers and 33 small and medium-scale hog raisers in Ilagan. Other support facilities, warehouses, and small rice mills, strategically located in different barangays of Ilagan address the storage needs of farmers during the harvest season.

Of all cities in the country, Ilagan ranks as the top producer of corn. As an agriculture-based city, it produces ample supply of corn, rice, vegetables, and legumes. Fruits like bananas are year-round products, especially in the mountainous areas of the city. Ilagan also produces seasonal fruits such as mangoes and pomelo.

The Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC) is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that serves as the primary plant breeding institution in Cagayan Valley. It is one of the Bureau of Agricultural Research’s active partners in research and development in the region. It is located in barangay San Felipe along National Highway. Ilagan has rich forest resources. Hectares of forest land are strictly protected by authorities like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), several NGOs, and the Local Government Unit.

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2) and the city government of Ilagan had agreed to establish an i-Corn Complex worth P199.2 million. The agreement was reached after a consultation meeting led by the DA Region 2 officials and representatives from other concerned government agencies. The Department of Agriculture will provide P107 million while the city government of Ilagan will provide P92.2 million for the said complex that will serve as a one-stop agri-commercial centre once completed. The i-Corn Complex will serve Ilagueño corn farmers including those from Isabela and the rest of Cagayan Valley. The establishment of the facility is also aimed to solve problems in corn production, particularly drying during the wet season. The construction of the corn complex is in support of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), which aims to strengthen the agri-fisheries sector in a modernized perspective to attain food security, poverty alleviation, income enhancement and profitability, global competitiveness, and sustainability. The complex is designed to be used as a post-harvest, processing, and research facility that will ensure product quality and thus boost the income of farmers. It is expected to be operational by February 2024 with the operation of the Corn Innovation Center whose construction and implementation started in August 2023. The mechanical drying facility as one of its components will help farmers cope with losses and damage during calamities. The said corn complex facility is located in Barangay Marana 1st, where the city government donated the lot for the construction.

The Corn Innovation Center in barangay Marana 1st is one of the flagship agri-support projects of the City Government of Ilagan’s thrust for the next three years on food sufficiency and producing finished corn products as Ilagan affirms its Corn Capital title. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 12, 2022 led by top officials and executives of the city of government alongside officials and representatives from the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 2 and Bureau of Agricultural Research. The City Government of Ilagan pledged P10 Million as its counterpart, in addition to the P10 Million from the Department of Agriculture itself. The facility will be utilized as a training centre for farmers. It is also envisioned to be the city’s Tech-Hub Demonstration Center to showcase new technological advancements in corn processing and other commodities. The completion of its construction is set by the first quarter of 2024.

On December 2, 2020, then Agriculture Sec. William Dar attended the Inauguration of the P500 million 2,400 Sow level Swine Breeding Complex of the Thai-based Agro-Industrial Company, Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation in partnership with Sagittarian Agricultural Philippines Incorporated in Barangay Santa Victoria. The Department of Agriculture also signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the City Government of Ilagan for the establishment of the P270 million Ilagan Corn Processing Center and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the Urban Agriculture project. A joint venture of projects that is envisioned to transform the agricultural landscape of city and to support its farmers with their livelihood.

On June 20, 2023, the contract signing was held at the Ilagan City Hall for the Phase II of the 5,400 Sow level Swine Breeding Complex investment in Ilagan by Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation, Thailand's largest agriculture conglomerate and homegrown investor Sagittarian Agricultural Philippines Incorporated. The initial capitalization of the joint venture was valued at around P1 billion and set to be completed by 2024. The groundbreaking ceremony of the said project was held in Barangay Namnama on the same day.

Commerce and trade There were even more establishments in 1995 with a total of 1,877 in all. The trend shows that from 1995 to 2000, there was a growth of 2.94%, but from 2000 to 2006 a decreasing growth rate of -1.75% was registered. For the year 2000, commercial trade was at 1,996 revealing that there were more or less than 201 establishments that had been closed down within the period 2000–2006. Commerce and trade are the second economic-based income of the people of Ilagan.

In the year 2006, statistics showed that there are currently 1,795 registered business establishments. Just like the past years, for the year 2006, commercial activities within the municipality are classified into wholesale, retail, and service-oriented businesses.

Industrial sector The industrial sector of the municipal economy comprises 210 establishments in the year 2006 as compared with 207 in 2000. This reflects a 2.4% increase in industrial activities over six years (2000–2006). The existing industries are mostly on a micro-scale except for the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. located in barangay Guinatan which is the only significant employment generator within the locality at that time. Following the previous year's trend, industries currently operating are agro-industries, wood-based manufacturing, or service-oriented industries.

The commercial area includes areas that are occupied by public markets, wholesale and retail stores, restaurants, banks, shops, and other establishments or structures engaged in commercial activities. The bulk of those who are engaged in trade and commerce are found in the public markets. The area covered by the commercial area is approximately 90.56 hectares or 2.62% of the urban core.

As compared to the 2000 existing commercial area of 17 hectares, the increase of 73.56 hectares in 2007 is an indication that Ilagan is racing towards commercialization.

Retail industry On March 19, 2021, home-grown retail giant Talavera Group of Companies expanded their presence in Ilagan with the opening of Talavera Hypermart and Homebuilders Depot located at the former Ilagan Bowling Alley in barangay Calamagui 2nd.

Public markets The city has two major public markets which is the old Pamilihang Bayan ng Ilagan located in Centro Poblacion (now called Xentro Market) and the multi-million pesos New Ilagan Public Market Complex in barangay Baligatan. In front of the public market is a three-story structure called Ilagan City Mall, the first LGU-owned and operated mall in the city. The increasing number of market-goers coming from the different regions of the city and adjacent municipalities prompted city officials to facilitate the construction of the modern market. As of 31 December 2021, Ilagan has a total of 21 banks with a total volume of bank deposits at Php 15.7 billion. There are also thousands of commercial establishments composed of distributors, retail and wholesale. Pawnshops, lending companies, insurance agencies, cooperatives, and other financial institutions are spread all over the city.

On November 23, 2023, the City Government of Ilagan held the groundbreaking ceremonies of San Antonio Public Market and Marana 1st Public Market with an initial capitalization of P25 million and P50 million, respectively. Each public market is expected to cater residents from the far-flung barangays located in San Antonio Cluster and Eastern Cluster to spur growth and development in their respective communities. The target completion of the two public markets is set in 2024.

Food and beverage There are several food and beverage companies in the city. The largest of which is the Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) which operates a softdrink bottling plant in Barangay Guinatan. Another is a vinegar and soy sauce fermentation company locally known as 'Best Choice', which is operated and owned by Robelly's Food Products and also the Jack Confectionery, which operates a wine fermentation plant. There are 15 bakeries/bakeshops and 1 ice cream/ice drop company. Aside from the increasing number of local cafés, restaurants, and several multi-national fast-food companies opened their respective branch in the city.

Real estate Ilagan is home to numerous reputable subdivisions which include Francisca Village, South Francisca Village, City Homes Subdivision, New Villa Jesusa Subdivision, Capitol Hills Subdivision, Richmond Hills Subdivision, California Homes Subdivision, Amurao Homes, Green Meadows Subdivision, Parkville Subdivision, St. Andrews Village, Big Prime Hills Exclusive Village and Providers City San Felipe to name a few. These projects are owned by homegrown real estate developers like Brent Nathan Realty and Development Corporation, ITP Properties Corporation, Emmanuel Realty Services and Development Corporation, R.P. Alingog Development Corporation, CCL BIG Prime Hills, Vester Corporation and Providers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. In 2023, real estate giant, Ayala Land is also set to expand its presence in Ilagan with the launching of Avida Greenlane Settings.

Furniture making One major industry in Ilagan is furniture making. Several furniture shops, located along the National Highway in barangays Alinguigan 2nd and Alinguigan 3rd, manufacture and sell furniture made of quality narra and gmelina wood. These barangays were dubbed as "Butaka City" of Ilagan, where the Guinness Book of Records' entry for the biggest lounge chair in the world, the Butaka, was manufactured.

Tobacco industry Ilagan became one of the largest producers of tobacco during the Spanish time. The tobacco monopoly caused the valley to languish in poverty from 1785 to 1797. The lifting of the monopoly was caused by the heavy loss incurred by the government. A royal decree was released in 1882 which aimed to abolish the monopoly and attracted foreign capitalists to invest in the country.

In Ilagan, the Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas also known as La Tabacalera was established in 1881 and produced the famous La Flor de la Isabela which was the largest company of its kind in the world at that time. The Tabacalera acquired two haciendas in Ilagan which were Hacienda San Antonio and Hacienda Santa Isabel. The majority of the western barangays of the municipality are planting tobacco other than rice, corn, and high-value crops. The National Tobacco Administration is the attached agency under the Department of Agriculture that is mandated to conduct series of efficacy trials, scientific experiments and tests on new agricultural products, inputs, systems, and processes being introduced. They recommend and certify the applicability and efficacy of the recommended tobacco technologies. Its provincial field office is located at Barangay Osmeña.

Textile industry On June 23, 2023, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), Isabela State University (ISU) - City of Ilagan Campus, DOST - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD), DOST Region II, City Government of Ilagan, and the Provincial Government of Isabela inaugurated the P40 million Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center in the province of Isabela. The production and innovation facility located at the Isabela State University (ISU) - City of Ilagan Campus is under the DOST-GIA project - DOST Inclusive Innovation Textiles Empowering Lives Anew or i2TELA Program, which is the first of its kind in Northern Luzon. The establishment of the facility is aimed to strengthen the local textile ecosystem and bridge the gaps in textile supply chain by enabling the conversion of natural raw materials into spinnable fibers for yarns from blends of natural fibers including abaca, banana, bamboo and pineapple leaf, in combination with cotton. It is designed to operate as a micro-scale yarn-spinning facility that can produce 50 kilograms of yarn per day, which is equivalent to 270 meters of handloom fabrics.

Jeep and tricycle body building There are nine motor vehicle assembly shops in Ilagan; five jeepney assembly shops and four tricycle side-car makers. These motor vehicle assembly shops respond to the increasing need for transportation services in the city.

Economy: Tourist Industry The city has various tourism sceneries, both natural and man-made, appealing to local and foreign tourists.

Natural attractions • Ilagan Sanctuary is a 200-hectare protected area located within the 819-hectare Fuyot Springs National Park along the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range in Barangay Santa Victoria, fifteen km away from the city proper. Attractions inside the park include prayer mountain, bird viewing, Butterfly park, animal kingdom (mini zoo), natural spring pool, boating & kayaking, wall-climbing & rappelling, cable car & tree-top adventure, 350-meter long & 700-meter high zipline, 1.5-kilometer hike to Pinzal Falls, and the 400-meter limestone caves. Some activities in the sanctuary will require you to ride on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). • Abuan River is the main river of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. It has an average elevation of 82 meters above sea level, and feeds the Abuan watershed in the city. Tourists and visitors can explore the diverse animal and plant life in one of the country’s remaining lush virgin forests. • Burmurbur Falls and Disupi Falls are small waterfalls both located in a secluded and far-flung area within Barangay Sindon Bayabo. • Kimmul-ong Falls and Kimmiskisan Falls are found in a remote area near the foothills of Sierra Madre mountain ranges in Barangay Capellan, several km away from the city proper. The area surrounding these fresh bodies of water can only be accessed by small vehicles or by walking/hiking.

Artificial attractions • Ilagan Japanese Tunnel is a former war tunnel located in barangay Santo Tomas. It served as the headquarters of a military base built by the Japanese during World War II and is about 40 meters by 3.66 meters wide but has yet to be fully scaled and explored. • The Old Capitol Building, now the Isabela Museum and Library, is a museum and a library located in barangay Osmeña. It displays artifacts that preserve and give insight into Isabela's natural and cultural history such as fossils, ethnographic items, heirloom pieces, photographs, paintings, sculptures, other visual arts, dioramas, and miniature models of provincial landmarks, among others. • Queen Isabela Park, also known as Skypark, is a park in barangay Alibagu whose centerpiece is the Queen Isabela II Monument, a sculpture of Queen Isabela II of Spain surrounded by sculptures of deceased Isabelan leaders and heroes. • Century Park is a triangular shaped park situated in an intersection between barangays Osmeña and Calamagui 2nd. Beside the park is a popular attraction called Banchetto Ilagan, which is usually frequented by locals and visitors especially when the city government transforms the area into a Christmas themed village during the holiday season. • The Mammangi Park (formerly called DBP Triangle) is located in barangay Osmeña along Maharlika Highway, established in 2018 by the city government to acknowledge the efforts of Ilagueño farmers for their contributory role as the backbone of the city’s local economy and agriculture sector being the largest corn producer in the Philippines. • Bonifacio Park is also a triangular shaped park located in barangay Baligatan featuring a dancing fountain and the Giant Butaka, the largest wooden lounge chair in the world. • Ilagan's Rizal Park is a scaled-down version of the Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila, located in barangay Centro Poblacion. Aside from a replica of the Rizal Monument, it also features a dancing fountain and three old church bells from Saint Ferdinand Parish Church, among others. • Saint Ferdinand Parish Proto-Cathedral is a structure dating back to 1870 dedicated to Saint Ferdinand, Ilagan's patron saint. It is one of the oldest churches in Isabela, located beside Saint Ferdinand College and Rizal Park. At present, it is designated as a proto-cathedral by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilagan. On 29 October 2023, a mass was held for the celebration of the first Holy Rosary Festival wherein the pilgrim image of the St. Ferdinand Parish - Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary was episcopally crowned by Most Rev. David William V. Antonio, D.D., STHD., bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan. • Balai na Ilagan, also known as Friendship Hall, is a multi-purpose hall and former convent within the grounds of the diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in barangay Bagumbayan, set up by Stewards and Friends of Ilagan Inc. to give Ilagueños a communal space to nurture the artistic talents of Ilagan's residents. It celebrates art and culture in the province of Isabela.

Culture Ilagan today, being recognised as the corn capital of the country lives its economic boom while playing a vital contributory role for the province of Isabela as its capital since its creation as a province. To the predominantly agricultural economy of the province of Isabela, the city adds vigor to its trade, commercial, and cultural life.

Aggaw na Ilagan Aggaw na Ilagan or Ilagan Day is celebrated annually every May 4. It was the date when Ilagan was founded as a town.

Binallay festival It was during the administration of then Mayor Albano that Binallay Festival became the official festivity of Ilagan but was later replaced by the Mammangui Festival.

Cityhood anniversary Celebrated every August 11. The city government celebrated the first anniversary of Ilagan's cityhood charter in 2013. On August 11, 2015, marked another day in the history of Ilagan as the Department of Agriculture proclaimed the city as the new Corn Capital of the Philippines during its third cityhood anniversary.

Cuisine The city is famous for its food culture. The much-loved food as part of the city's culture is called binallay. It's one of the famous rice cakes made from glutinous rice flour combined with water, mixed into a smooth batter, wrapped in a banana leaf, then steamed until cooked all the way through. Binallay is a native rice cake prepared year-round in Ilagan. It is being sold at the City of Ilagan Pasalubong Center located at the Bonifacio Park, in barangay Baligatan.

Mammangi festival Celebrated during the last week of May; Mammangi is an Ibanag word meaning the harvest or planting of corn. It honors the farmers who are the real foundation of Ilagan's economy and is celebrated as a thanksgiving activity for a good harvest. In 2011, General Ordinance No. 33 promulgated during the administration of then Mayor Diaz ordained Mammangui Festival as the official festivity of Ilagan to be celebrated on the month of May.

Patronal and town fiesta As a predominantly Catholic nation, the culture of observing the feast days of the most venerated Roman Catholic icons is widespread in the Philippines. In Ilagan, the city celebrates the feast day of its patron, San Fernando, every May 30 including the celebration of the town fiesta.

Pop culture Film director Romm Burlat is set to produce Pira-Pirasong Pangarap, an upcoming film biography that will portray the interesting and inspiring story of the current mayor Josemarie L. Diaz as a political leader. Gabby Concepcion, a popular drama actor will portray as the mayor in the upcoming movie.

Sport The city has been the venue and the host of international, national, regional, and local sports competitions. The venue for these events are usually held at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex.

On January 11, 2019, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced that Ilagan will be hosting the 2019 Batang Pinoy Luzon qualifying leg sports competition; it was held on March 16–23, 2019. Batang Pinoy is a national competition for athletes under fifteen years old and was established through Executive Order No. 44, which was signed by then President Joseph Estrada on December 2, 1998.

In May 2022, Ilagan hosted the Philta National Youth Tennis Circuit 2022 and the Little League North Luzon baseball championship national sports events. The delegates for baseball are from the city of Ilagan, the municipality of Divilacan in Isabela, the provinces of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, and Zambales. While for tennis, the delegates are from the city of Manila, provinces of Palawan, Nueva Ecija, and Quirino, the cities of Santiago and Cauayan municipalities of Roxas and Alicia in Isabela. It was held on May 23–29, 2022 at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex.

In February 2023, Ilagan hosted the Baseball Little League Philippine Games. An estimated number of 2,000 delegates composed of athletes, coaches and chairpersons from North and South Luzon including National Capital Region participated in the sports event held on February 5–12, 2023 at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex. The 2023 Little League Philippines National Finals was also held in Ilagan on April 9–16, 2023. The final leg of the 2023 Philippine Baseball Series was joined by 63 teams from regional tournaments in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

In March 2023, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), Inc. management has chosen the City of Ilagan as the venue of the International Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICTSI) - sponsored Philippine Athletic Championships where delegations from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Iraq converged in the city to compete for 165 medals in 80 athletic sports events. The 5-day sports competition was held at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex on March 22–26, 2023. The 2023 Cagayan Valley Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (CaVRASUC) games and Socio-Cultural Festival was also held in Ilagan on March 27–30, 2023. The annual sports event was participated by an estimate of 1,500 student athletes, coaches and officials from the different delegations of state universities and colleges in the Cagayan Valley region which included Isabela State University, Quirino State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Batanes State College and Philippine Normal University - North Luzon campus.

The 2023 Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) meet was held in Ilagan on April 23–28, 2023. An estimate of almost 7,000 delegates and technical officials from the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Batanes and the cities of Ilagan, Santiago, Tuguegarao, and Cauayan participated in the annual sports event that was hosted by the DepEd Schools Division of the City of Ilagan and the city government.

Isabela sports complex In 1993, Ilagan hosted the Palarong Pambansa (National Games) and in 2011 the SCUAA National Olympics. It was held at the Isabela Sports Complex. The sports complex was erected by the National Government and local officials during the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos as a permanent facility for the province of Isabela, in barangay Alibagu, Ilagan, the capital. The impressive facility of 50 hectares, on which has built a stadium with a 39,000 seating capacity, likewise has an athlete's village for housing participants. Some of the houses for the athlete's village were donated by certain civic-minded citizens and organizations who were approached by the officials of the province through the initiative of the late former Isabela Governor Benjamin G. Dy. The complex is also equipped with a basketball court, volleyball courts, swimming pool, badminton courts, tennis courts, a sepak takraw court, an oval rubber track, and a baseball field.

City of Ilagan sports complex The City of Ilagan Sports Complex (formerly called Paguirigan Memorial Athletic Stadium) is a sports facility equipped with modern rubber tracks, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and tennis courts, concrete bleachers, and a new swimming pool that was built to accommodate major sports and athletic events such as the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) meet held in 2016 and 2017. It was the chosen venue by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), Inc. for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships, 12th and 14th South East Asia Youth Athletics Championship and the 2017 Philippine National Open Invitational Athletics Championship, where world class athletes from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Fil-Am contingent, Philippine Team and the host City of Ilagan team participated in the said event. It is the first city outside Metro Manila to have hosted the championships for 2 years in a row, first and only Philippine city in this decade to have an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) certified track and field competition venue, first host city to stage the international format of athletics competition and the first host city to have organized the championships integrating entertainment and the thrill of sports competition.

City Sports and Convention Center The City of Ilagan Community Center is a fully air-conditioned facility that was built to accommodate indoor events such as basketball games, badminton and volleyball tournaments, cheerdance competitions, concerts, and other important activities. The SK Federation in Ilagan has a yearly basketball tournament for the youth of the city. The facility was utilized for meeting and served as a vaccination site during COVID-19 pandemic. On June 12, 2023, the City Government led the ribbon-cutting of the newly-renovated former City of Ilagan Community Center, which is now renamed as the City Sports and Convention Center during the commemoration of the country's 125th Independence Day and the 78th liberation of the City of Ilagan.

Ping-Pong central Table tennis is also a popular sport in the city. It is played regularly in Ping-Pong Central in Francisca Village, Baligatan, and hosted by the Table Tennis Association of Ilagan (TATAC-Ilagan). Regular ranking tournament is held monthly among residents of Ilagan. The open tournament is held annually.

Isabela golf club The only golf course in Isabela is located in Ilagan. This golf course has produced several World Junior Golf Champions.

Jeepneys Ilagan is the only place in Cagayan Valley that considers jeepneys as one of the primary means of public transportation within its vicinity and neighboring municipalities. There are 432 Jeepneys used as the major public transportation in Ilagan with corresponding routes from Centro-Calamagui-Alibagu-Upi junction-Guibang vice versa, Centro-Calamagui-Bliss Village-Salindingan vice versa, Centro-San Antonio region vice versa, Centro-Bintacan vice versa, and neighboring towns Ilagan-Gamu-Burgos-Roxas vice versa.

Tricycle There are around 4,000 tricycle units that ply around the city. Like jeepneys, these tricycle units have their own route to different parts of the city.

Bus terminals There are few bus companies with its own terminal in the city. Each company operates a fleet of air conditioned buses with daily trips to Manila from their respective terminals. Several bus companies also use the Ilagan route from Tuguegarao City and Northern Isabela to Manila, Dagupan, Baguio and other destinations.

Bus companies like Victory Liner, and GV Florida Transport have terminals within the city that offers daily trips bound to Metro Manila (like Kamias in Quezon City, Sampaloc in Manila) including the city of Baguio.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) inaugurated the Ilagan City Integrated Central Terminal beside the Xentro Mall in barangay Alibagu on November 28, 2011. It is primarily being used as the main transport terminal for all kinds of public utility vehicles in Ilagan. On July 17, 2023, the Ilagan City Integrated Central Terminal was given the Certificate of Accreditation by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), being the first Region Accredited Central Terminal in Cagayan Valley. The LGU-owned and operated transport facility has substantially complied with the guidelines for Off-Street Terminal Operations under Department Order No. 2017-011, otherwise known as the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, in relation to Memorandum Circular 2017-030 and Memorandum Circular 2022-051.

Trains The city will soon adapt the Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) which was developed by the DOST as an alternative mode of transport for front-liners, community outreach activities, among others. Each coach of the HERT can accommodate 220 passengers.

Taxis On May 4, 2022, the city government launched eleven units of taxis as LTFRB issued 90-day provisional authority. The transport service will ply across Cagayan Valley and it is the first in the region. Additionally, the city launched 58 public utility vehicles that will service the city as part of its modernization program.

Podcar On February 23, 2023, the City Government of Ilagan in partnership with FUTRAN Philippines, Inc. conducted a public hearing at the Ilagan Community Center for the proposed FUTRAN Green Energy Podcar Public Transportation System. After months of feasibility study and coordination of all parties involved, the proposed multi-billion project was officially unveiled to the public on November 24, 2023 during its groundbreaking ceremony at the Ilagan City Integrated Central Terminal in barangay Alibagu, the first of its kind in the Northern Philippines. The first phase of the new transportation system project is designed to run 10-kilometers that will start in barangay Alibagu to barangay Centro Poblacion which is expected to be operational by March 2024. Top officials and executives from both parties attended the well-anticipated event.

Transport: Road Ilagan is linked by a national highway called Maharlika Highway (designated as Asian Highway 26, AH26 by Asian Highway Network). There are 29.313 km (18.214 mi) of concrete road out of 24.56 km (15.26 mi) of national road that passes through the city.

Provincial Road. Other road networks are 33.005 km (20.508 mi) provincial roads, 8,909 city streets and 269.713 km (167.592 mi) of barangay roads. Ilagan is accessible by all means of land transportation. From the Poblacion to the 91 barangays and five adjacent municipalities. Regular jeepney trips are from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Tricycles are available 24 hours a day.

Ilagan-Delfin Albano-Mallig (IDAM) Road was declared a national road in 2001 by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), stretching from Ilagan to the municipality of Mallig. With a total length of 38.78 kilometers, it also serves as an alternate gateway and vital route for the delivery of goods and basic services within Ilagan and its neighboring towns.

Ilagan-Gamu Road is a segment of the national highway that serves as an alternate bypass route that connects the western barangays of Ilagan to the nearby town of Gamu. It is connected to the Gamu-Roxas Road that stretches from the municipality of Gamu to the municipalities of Burgos and Roxas, the gateway to the Mallig Plains region.

Ilagan-Divilacan Road. The construction of an 82-kilometer Ilagan-Divilacan Road through the protected Sierra Madre mountains is ongoing to open access to the coastal towns of Divilacan, Palanan, and Maconacon. The approved budget contract of the project amounting to P1.5B, will pass through the foothills of the 359,486-hectare Northern Sierra Madre mountain ranges and will take four years to complete. The project will improve an old logging road used by the defunct Acme Logging Corp.

Healthcare In 2014, the City Government inaugurated a diagnostic centre in San Antonio City Hospital.

Completed in 2014, the Department of Health – Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Region II (DOH-DATRC RO2) was founded to bring hope and changes to the victims of drug dependency and to provide affordable, quality, and sustainable rehabilitative programs and services in partnership with other agencies towards the realization of its goal and for the fulfillment of its mandate. It is the first and only government-owned treatment and rehabilitation centre in Cagayan Valley located at Barangay Centro San Antonio, with a total land area of 1.97 hectares. Upon accreditation of 50-bed capacity on 12 March 2017 and completion of some infrastructures, the facility was allowed to accommodate clients for a residential program. On 12 April 2017 the centre had its first residential admission and two months after, the facility was inaugurated with the presence of former DOH Secretary Pauline Jean Ubial.

On November 25, 2020, the city government inaugurated its own Molecular Laboratory at San Antonio City of Ilagan Hospital. It is the first LGU-owned and operated health facility of its kind in Cagayan Valley. The Department of Health (DOH) gave its license to operate and accommodate patients of COVID-19.

On August 11, 2021, the city government inaugurated the City of Ilagan Medical Center (CIMC) located in Barangay Lullutan as one of the highlights during its 9th cityhood anniversary celebration. The facility is a level-II hospital with 100-bed capacity and is now being used as an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients. Due to its geographical location, it also caters patients coming from nearby municipalities.

On May 4, 2022, the groundbreaking of the City of Ilagan Medical Arts building was led by the city government in Barangay Lullutan beside the City of Ilagan Medical Center (CIMC). The main purpose of the building is to house medical clinics for consultations and stalls for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

On May 4, 2023, the city government undertook the groundbreaking of the Physical Rehabilitation and Infectious Disease building during the 337th Aggaw na Ilagan celebration. The proposed site of the health facility is located beside the City of Ilagan Medical Center in Barangay Lullutan.

Health centers • City Health Office I (San Vicente) • City Health Office II (Marana 1st) • City of Ilagan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center

Public hospitals • City of Ilagan Medical Center • Gov. Faustino N. Dy, Sr. Memorial Hospital • San Antonio City of Ilagan Hospital

Private hospitals • Isabela Doctors General Hospital • Dr. Victor S. Villaroman Memorial Hospital

Overall, the city has three public and two private hospitals and three City Health Units. There are also dozens of dental clinics, maternity and pediatric clinics, derma clinics and pharmacies scattered around the city. As of 2022, Citimed of Ilagan is still under construction.

Education Ilagan is the centre of education in the province of Isabela especially for neighboring municipalities of Tumauini, Gamu, Burgos, Roxas, Quirino, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, San Mariano and Delfin Albano. Provincial field offices of the different government agencies like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Education (DepEd) are all located in the city. The DepEd office located at the Government Center in barangay Alibagu governs school districts in the entire province of Isabela except for Cauayan, Ilagan and Santiago cities.

Elementary and secondary schools The Schools Division of the City of Ilagan governs the city's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the city.

There are six integrated high schools, ten secondary public schools, and three other private secondary schools. There are 88 elementary schools throughout Ilagan, while the most populated are located in the Poblacion area.

Ilagan has formerly three districts namely: Ilagan East District, Ilagan West District, and Ilagan South District when it was under the Division of Isabela, the mother school division. These districts have clusters of schools geographically located.

On January 21, 2013, the Schools Division of the City of Ilagan was created following the success of its cityhood bid in 2012. Denizon Domingo was installed as the first city school division superintendent.

On June 17, 2013, the new school division reorganized the three existing school districts: Ilagan East District, Ilagan West District, and Ilagan South District to establish additional three school districts: Ilagan North District, Ilagan Northwest District, and San Antonio District. There are now six school districts in the city. • Ilagan East District • Ilagan North District • Ilagan Northwest District • Ilagan West District • Ilagan South District • San Antonio District

On July 8, 2019, the Local School Board was reorganized through executive order of the City Mayor. Currently, the schools division is headed by Dr. Eduardo C. Escorpiso, Jr. since April 3, 2023.

Technical schools There are also technical schools in the city which is being governed by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). These institutions offer short, one or two-year courses. • Chronicles Institute of Isabela • Colegio de Ilagan • Far East Computer Technology - Ilagan • Isabela Provincial Training Center • Isabela School of Arts and Trades (ISAT) • Isabela State University also offers two year courses • Saint Ferdinand College also offers TESDA courses • TESDA Regional Technical Vocational Education and Training Innovation Center

Higher educational institutions Ilagan also has two higher educational instructions which are accredited by CHED. They offer undergraduate and graduate programs to the public. The local government also supports scholarship grants to deserving students for college degree programs. • Isabela State University • Saint Ferdinand College

City of Ilagan Colleges In 2023, the City Government of Ilagan had already completed all the necessary and pertinent documents as mandated by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 2 (CHED RO2) for the creation of the City of Ilagan College (CIC). The city government allotted P100 million for the construction of the said higher educational institution that is expected to offer health allied courses which include Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Optometry and more. On May 4, 2023, the city government spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Lullutan to officially mark the start of its construction which is set to be completed by 2024.

Training facility On June 13, 2021, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the Philippine National Police and the City Government of Ilagan for the establishment of a PNP Training Facility situated in a 3-hectares property that was purchased by the city government from Tabacalera in Barangay Santa Barbara. The newly inaugurated facility is expected to serve as PNP’s Recruitment and Training Center that will cater to police trainees all over Luzon including the National Capital Region.

Media Ilagan's main media outlet is the radio. The following may not be in operation as of 2022.

Media: Radio • 711 kHz DZYI under Swara Sug Broadcasting Corporation / SonShine Radyo • 900 kHz DZSE 900 Radyo Alerto Asean - AM Ilagan • 101.7 MHz under Pacific Broadcasting Service

Media: Television The following Television stations are present: • Channel 4 - People’s Television Network • Channel 7 - GMA Network, Inc. • Channel 41 - Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc.

Media: Print • New Valley Times Press • Squiggy Printing Services.