Priority Investment Areas

Doing business in Isabela provides investors with more than just profit gains. The province offers unique and exceptional treasures not found anywhere else – diverse natural resources, breath-taking sceneries, vibrant culture, adequate infrastructure network, and most importantly, warn and committed people.

Isabela occupies a strategic location between Cagayan Economic Zone and the national capital region of the country, Metro Manila. The province has productive forestlands and watershed areas and is known as the “Hybrid Cord and Rice Champion Producers of the Philippines.”

As the home of Magat Dam, the largest dam in Southeast Asia, Isabela is a major source of power and water supply for Northern Luzon and part of Metro Manila. It is also rich in mineral resources while having a lengthy range of coastlines totaling 147 kilometers from Maconacon to Dinapigue that are abundant in aquatic resources.

Foreign and local investors are invited to invest directly in greenfield projects and operating businesses by establishing new companies, subsidiaries or joint ventures in the following Priority Investment Areas of Isabela: 

Agri/Aqua-Based Industries

• Hybrid Rice Production and Processing
• Hybrid Corn Production and Processing
• Corn Oil Production
• Fruits and Vegetable Production and Processing
• Livestock and Poultry Production and Processing
• Dairy Production and Processing
• Mango Processing and Export Trading
• Sugarcane Production and Processing
• Feeds Production
• Banana Production and Processing
• Seaweed Production and Processing
• Sweet Sorghum Production and Processing
• Tilapia and Prawn Production and Processing

Forest-Based Industries

• Bamboo Industry Development
• Rattan Industry Development
• Woodworking/Furniture-Making

Tourism Development

• Eco-Cultural and Historical Tourism
• Tourism Accommodation and Facilities
• Tour Operators and Travel Agencies
• Health and Wellness Tourism
• Religious Tourism
• “Experiental” Tourism

Infrastructure Facilities

• Development of Cauayan Agro-Industrial Center and Special Economic Zone
• Airport Improvement
• Mini Hydro Power Generation
• Sugarcane Plantation for Biodiesel
• Sweet Sorghum Production for Ethanol
• Biomass Plant Development
• Ilaguen Hydro Power Plant
• Bio-Ethanol Plant Development
• Rehabilitation of Ilagan-Divilacan Road
• Construction of Pasa Small River Impounding Project
• Road Construction linking Coastal Towns to Mainland

Gifts, Toys and Housewares

• Basketry
• Pottery
• Ceramics
• Novelty Items
• Holiday Décor

Support and Allied Services/Knowledge-Based Industries

• Information & Communication Technology / Business Process Outsourcing
• Medical, Educational and Crisis Intervention Facilities

Regulatory Framework & Tax Incentives

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines has implemented a liberal program of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract foreign capital and technology that complement local resources. Under the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987 (Executive Order 226), investors may enjoy certain incentives when investments are made in preferred areas found in the current Investment Priorities Plan (IPP).

Issued by the Philippine Board on Investments (BOI) annually, the IPP is a list of priority investment areas eligible for tax incentives in consultation with related government agencies and the private sector. Even if the activity is not listed in the IPP, an enterprise may still be entitled to incentives as long as at least 50% of production is for export (in the case of Filipino-owned enterprises), or at least 70% of production is for export (if majority foreign-owned enterprises or those with more than 40% foreign equity). In certain instances as indicated in the IPP, the BOI may completely or partially limit the incentives available to export products.

Under Book I of the Omnibus Investments Code, BOI-registered enterprises are given incentives in the form of tax exemptions and concession, as follows:

• Income tax holiday – exemption from corporate income tax for four years (non-pioneer projects) or six years (pioneer projects)
• Duty-free importation of capital equipment
• Additional deduction for labor expense equivalent to 50% of the wages of additional skilled and unskilled workforce
• Tax and duty-free importation of breeding stocks and genetic materials
• Tax credit on domestic breeding stocks and genetic materials
• Simplified customs procedures for the importation of equipment, spare parts, raw materials and supplies/exports of processed products
• Unrestricted use of consigned equipment
• Employment of foreign nationals in supervisory, technical or advisory positions
• Exemption from taxes and duties on imported spare parts

Investment Incentives

Under Article VII, Sec. 18 on the proposed ordinance enacting the Investment and Incentive Code of Isabel, subject to the approval of the Board, a registered enterprise may be granted the following fiscal incentives:

• Free use of real properties owned by the Provincial Government of Isabela for the period of ten (10) years subject to the condition that any and all improvements introduced and attached therein shall automatically accrue to the provincial government;
• Exemption from payment of basic real property taxes, as far as the share of the provincial government is concerned for the period of five (5) years for:
• Equipment or devices or other equipment for pollution control, environmental protection equipment and structures, fire protection and equipment structures flood control and mitigation structures as well as water treatment and purification equipment and structures for the period of five (5) years from date of commencement of business operation;
• Lands, regardless of classification, if used exclusively for parking, roads and other pathways provided that the same be open for use by the general public;
• Exemption from transfer taxes of real properties transferred in favor of the applicant;
• Exemption from franchise tax for a period of five (5) years;
• Free provincial health care enrolment, first-month premium, for all employees of new enterprises and additional employees of expanding/ modernizing/ diversifying enterprises;
• One-time first-year enrolment to the PNB Gen Insurance for all employees of new enterprises and additional employees of expanding/ modernizing/ diversifying enterprises.

Registered Enterprises may avail of the following Non-Fiscal Incentives:

• Government registration assistance;
• One-stop documentation center and application processing;
• Labor recruitment, support for industrial peace through arbitration, mediation and reconciliation efforts;
• Assurance of peace, order and safety;
• PGI sponsored manpower development training to enhance workers skills; 
• Cooperative organization for employees and workers;
• Extension of appropriate technical assistance and services;
• Assistance in securing power and water supply connections;
• Assistance in site selection and negotiation for road right of way.

Prospective Investors: 5 Simplified Steps in Opening a Business in Isabela

• Prospective Investors must write a letter of Intent to the Governor which includes the following information:
1. Letter of Introduction and Intent
2. Project Brief
3. Articles of Incorporation
4. Other necessary documents
• Letter of Application shall be submitted to the Local Investment Board copy furnish the Isabela Investment Council and to the Provincial Investment Promotion Center.
• Feasibility Study of the proposed investment project shall be submitted for review, reference and approval to ensure that the proposed investment project is consistent with the Provincial Priority Investment Areas.
• Environmental Clearances shall be required from the prospective investors such as;
1. Clearance from NCIP
2. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
3. Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
• Get clearance from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the province, as the province has around 359,486 has. under NIPAS category declared as the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Fuyot Springs Natural Park and the Tumauini Forest Reserve.

Forex Repatriation & Investment Protection

Foreign investors have the right to repatriate the entire liquidation proceeds of their investment in the currency in which the investment was originally made at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of repatriation. They also have the right to remit their earnings from the investment or such sums as may be necessary to meet the payment of interest and the principal on foreign loans and obligations arising from technological assistance contracts.

There shall be no expropriation by the government of the property represented by the investment of property of enterprises except for public use or in the interest of national welfare and defense, and upon payment of just compensation. In such cases, foreign investors or registered enterprises shall have the right to remit sums received as compensation for the expropriated property in the original currency at the prevailing exchange rate. Furthermore, there shall be no requisition fo the same property except in the event of war or national emergency and only for the duration. Just compensation for the requisitioned property may also be remitted in the original currency at the prevailing exchange rate.

In addition, investors are accorded the following under various agreements entered into by the Philippines and foreign states:

• Free transaction of capital – the Philippines allows all transfers relating to investments to be made freely and without delay into and out of its territory, subject to compliance with certain requirements imposed by laws and regulations.
• National treatment – the Philippines treats all investments equally whether made by foreign or local investors to the extent allowed by Philippine laws.
• Fair and equitable treatment – the Philippines affords to investments fair and equitable treatment and full protection and security in accordance with customary international law.

Foreign Investment Channels

Anyone, regardless of nationality, is welcome to do business and invest in the Philippines, in almost all areas of economic activities provided these are not listed in the Foreign Investments Negative List (FINL) of the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 (Republic Act 7042, as amended by Republic Act 8179).

Foreign nationals are allowed to invest 100% equity in companies engaged in business subject to restrictions as prescribed in the FINL, a shortlist of investment areas which may be opened to foreign investors and/or reserved for Filipino citizens. If the proposed venture is not in an activity listed in the FINL, foreigners may invest up to 100% capital in a domestic entity if the paid-up capital is at least US$200,000.00, which may be lowered to US$ 100,000.00 if advanced technology is introduced or at least 50 direct employees are employed.

With or without incentives, doing business in the Philippines requires prior registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for corporations or partnerships, or the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for sole proprietorship. Other types of business enterprises that may be set up under foreign laws that require SEC/DTI registration are branch offices, representative or liaison offices, regional headquarters, and regional operating headquarters.

After SEC registration, enterprises seeking to remit profits and dividends or repatriate capital abroad may register their inward remittance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). For this purpose, BSP rules and regulations covering procedures for registration of foreign investments are observed.

The Foreign Investments Act recognizes the rights of former natural born Filipinos. They are granted the same investment rights as Filipino citizen in activities such as cooperatives, thrift banks, rural banks and financing companies. Those who have the legal capacity to enter into a contract under Philippine laws may be transferees of private land to be used for business or other purposes up to a maximum area of 5,000 square meters in the case of urban land or three hectares in the case of rural land.

Major Industries

The economy of Isabela is at the fulcrum of an ever increasing growth curve. In terms of income classification, it is rated as a first-class province and considered among the richest and most progressive province in the Philippines.

Strategically located at the center of Cagayan Valley region, Isabela is acknowledged to have demonstrated strengths in business and industry. Thus, it has come to be known as the “Regional Trade and Industrial Center” of north-eastern Luzon.

Agriculture is the biggest industry in Isabela. As the country’s top corn-producing province, it contributes 21%of the annual national yellow corn production. Asia’s largest post-harvest corn processing facility, the Mindanao Grains, is located in the town of Reina Mercedes, Isabela.

As second highest rice-growing province nationwide, Isabela produces 15% of the aggregate national rice production on an annual basis. Being a surplus producer of the Filipinos’ staple crop, the province’s rice sufficiency rate is at 224%, which means that Isabeliños produce more than they consume and are in fact responsible for supplying the rice requirements of Metro Manila and many other provinces.

High- value agricultural crops grown in Isabela include monggo, tobacco, coffee, banana, and mango. Its livestock and poultry industries are also on the rise, especially dairy processing, hog production, cattle breeding, and commercial poultry raising.

Another thriving industry in Isabela is aquaculture, sustained by inland fishing through 1,108 hectares of developed freshwater fishponds and 450 hectares of fish cage culture at Magat Dam Reservoir. Rich marine resources could be found in Coastal Isabela’s seaboard towns of Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, and Dinapigue.

The best quality timber resources in the Philippines are found in the forest of Isabela. Some 54% of the province`s total area is covered by forestland, of which 62% is part of the protected area while 38% is designated as production forest. The woodwork industry continues to operate under a regulated system, particularly the making furniture using indigenous materials.

In recent years, tourism has become an income-generating industry for Isabela. New hotels and resorts have opened, mostly in Cauayan City, Santiago City, and the towns of Tumauini and Roxas. Top tourist attractions are the centuries-old churches of Saint Mathias and San Pablo; Magat Dam Tourism Complex, which houses Southeast Asia’s biggest dam; Santa Victoria Caves at Fuyo National Park; the beaches and islands of Coastal Isabela; the world’s biggest wooden lounge chair or butaka in Ilagan; and various festival and fiestas, most famous of which is the Bambanti Festival from May 1-11 every year, commemorating the birth of the province during Isabela Day.

Natural Resources

Isabela is a land of diverse natural resources at the crossroads of Southeast Asia and Western Pacific. It is endowed with a rich soil conducive to the growing of agricultural crops, and is blessed with verdant forests, preserved wildlife sanctuaries, abundant marine life, and extensive mineral deposits.

The vast forest of Isabela are being ecologically managed to secure a balanced and sustainable ecosystem. The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park is the largest protected area in the Philippines with more than 3,000 square kilometers of rainforest.

Coastal Isabela’s lengthy range of seacoasts is rich in untapped fisheries and marine resources. The Eastern and Western Isabela’s rivers, streams, and ponds are potential fish production sites, as with the province’s 11, 046 hectares of lakes and swamps, 815 of communal waters, and several hundred kilometers of irrigation canals.

The Philippine Rise, a 13-million hectare undersea region east of Isabela and Aurora province adds to the long list of natural resources that can benefit Isabela in the near future. Early indication show high levels of natural gas, oil, and minerals, and once explored can benefit Isabela, much like the Malampaya gas fields which have benefitted Palawan province where it is located.

Extensive deposit of gold, copper, zinc, chromite, nickel, manganese are found in the mountains of Eastern Isabela but these minerals reserves are yet to be fully tapped. Non- metallic minerals like marble, limestone, guano, clay, sand, and gravel are also present in large deposits. In Western Isabela, indigenous energy sources such as natural gas and hydro abound.

Human Capital

Isabela’s most treasured resource is its people, the Isabeleños. The provincial population has reached more than 1.5 million as of 2015.The province’s reputation as the country’s agricultural backbone may be attributed to the survivor spirit and resilience of Isabeleños. They are trailblazers in climate change management, having organized the first ever Climate Change Summit at local government level. The initiative is borne out of their firm resolve to protect their land from challenges posed by its geographic location.

Proud of their rich and colourful heritage, Isabeleños place great importance in faith and education. Their history is influenced by 300 years of Spanish colonization and 50 years of American occupation, producing a culture that is both traditional and westernized. More than 85% of Isabeleños are Christians, with the Roman Catholic Church playing a significant role in their cultural and social lives.

Isabeliños value education and their usage of English as the primary medium of instruction has resulted in a globally competitive Isabela workforce equipped with competent technical skills and language proficiency. They are also accommodating of other cultures, possessing innately caring and service-oriented characteristics that are ideals for professional careers and job opportunities across industries.

Isabela has among the highest provincial literacy rates in the world at 97% of the population.

As business partners, Isabeliños strive to establish and maintain good personal relations with their business contacts. They are trusting and friendly, predisposed to please their guests, and place a premium on cordial and professional business relationships.

Educational institutions for all learning levels and catering to all Isabeleños of different religious and cultural affiliations abound in Isabela. The province has its own State University, the Isabela State University in the Municipality of Echague in southern Isabela which established ten other campuses all over the province. Established in 1918, the ISU has grown into a 21st-century educational institute that now offers dozen of undergraduates and graduates degree courses and has produced a long list of IT professionals, nurses, lawyers, engineers, architects, and teachers, to add to the products of the many private colleges and universities all over the province. Isabela also hosts the University of Perpetual Help System in the Municipality of Alicia and Cauayan City, respectively.

Infrastructure & Support Facilities

Social and economic development is underway in Isabela due to its adequate network of physical, financial, and communication infrastructure.

Transportation

An extensive network of road system for land traverses the mid-to-low-lying areas of Isabela, with several bus companies and public utility vehicles plying various service routes. By air, these are scheduled flights four times a week from Manila to Cauayan and vice versa. The Cauayan Domestic Airport can accommodate big aircraft like Boeing 737s on its 2.5-kilometer runway, while the coastal towns of Palanan, Divilacan, and Maconacon have airstrips catering to light planes that fly to and from Cauayan almost daily. The completion of the Cagayan International Airport in Tuguegarao City which is 30 minutes away from the Isabela's Capital city and of the Domestic Airport in the neighboring province of Nueva Vizcaya, bordering Southern Isabela will have made the province even more accessible to all markets outside Luzon. 

Telecommunications and Media

Isabela is as accessible to the world as any major city or key destination is. Even the coastal region of Isabela which is separated by the Northern Sierra Madre from the commercial areas or mainstream Isabela.  A dependable telecommunications and multimedia infrastructure ensures 24/7 connectivity via the internet, satellite/cable and cellular services which augment information sourced from television, radio and national and local newspapers and magazines that are readily available in all of Isabela

Energy and Water

The 540-megawatt Magat hydroelectric plant supplies electrical power to the entire island of Luzon, while Isabela’s electricity supply is provided by the National Power Corporation of the Philippines, and distributed by two local electric cooperatives, ISELCO I and II. 

Augmenting Magat's output are the 25-kilowatt biomass power plant venture of the Provincial Government and the Korean International Cooperation Agency, the 20-kilowatt Isabela Biomass Energy Corporation in Alicia and the 12-kilowatt Cagayan Biomass Energy Corporation in Gamu - all of which have made Isabela the pioneering and biggest producer of renewable energy in the country today. The abundance of energy resources In Isabela contributes to the affordable rates of electricity in the province.

The Magat Dam, the Cagayan River which is the longest river in the country, and its tributaries provide irrigation to the agricultural land of the province. Piped water system are present in most municipalities served by district offices and the Local Water Utility Administration.

Trade and Banking

The cities of Cauayan and Santiago and the capital town of Ilagan are the principal commercial centers of Isabela. Metro Manila-based malls and fast food chains have recently opened in these key trading hubs. The same universal and national banks that operate in major Philippine cities can be found in the province, complemented by service of micro-lending companies that complete the sound trade and banking environment of Isabela.

Existing Locators

Since the start of 21^st century, a growing number of foreign and local investors have selected Isabela as the site of their business ventures. Heading the list are Isabela’s top three investors, namely: Mindanao Grains Processing Company, Inc. in Reina Mercedes, SN Aboitiz Power- Magat Inc. in San Mariano.

Universal Leaf Philippines has built a tobacco processing plant in Reina Mercedes. The Coca-Cola Company’s Philippine subsidiary and SAN Miguel Corporation’s Cosmos division both operate bottling plant in Cauayan City, while RC Cola AND Pepsi Cola have beverage operations in Ilagan and Santiago City, respectively.

In the rice industry, substantial investments have been made by Valiant Rice Mills Corporation in San Mateo, Family Choice Grains Processing Center in Cabatuan, Golden Season Grains Center in Luna, Hergo Agro Industries in Santiago City, JDT Silver Grains Center and New Cauayan Goldyluck Grains in Cauayan City.

Retail giants SM and Robinsons have set up shop in Ilagan with the opening Savemore Supermarket and Robinsons Supermarket, respectively.  They are located in Isabela’s NEW MALLS, Northstar and Talavera Square, owned and operated by homegrown investors. Fast food chains such as Jollibee, McDonald’s, Chowking, Goldilocks all have outlets in Isabela.

The “big three” oil companies- Shell, Petron and Chevron – have numerous gasoline stations in Isabela, as do new petroleum industry players Total, Eastern Plus Gold and Flying V. Land transportation operators Victory Liner, Baliwag Transit, Dagupan Bus Line, Dalin Liner, Florida Bus and Nelbusco have terminals and depots in the province.

The country’s leading passenger airline Cebu Pacific services 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. Telecom firms Globe, PLDT/Smart and Digitel/ Sun operate cellular sites and fixed telephony facilities throughout Isabela.

Top Three Investors

SN | Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Group of the Philippines. Through its wholly owned subsidiary SNAP-Magat Inc., it owns and operates the 360-megawatt Magat hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) in Ramon, Isabela. The Magat HEPP was a state-owned facility operated by the National Power Corporation until its privatization in 2006, when SNAP-Magat won the bid conducted by the Philippine government for the amount of US$ 530 million. Since then, it has received recognition for its safety, quality management and corporate social responsibility programs.

Green Future Innovations Inc. (GFII) is a joint venture between Japan’s Itochu Corporation, Taiwanese holding company GCO, JGC Philippines, and Philippine Bioethanol and Energy Investments Corporation, the latter owned by the Bantug-Palanca family of Negros Occidental and the Uy family of Isabela. GFII aims to contribute to the domestic supply of renewable energy through 54-million liter ethanol plant in San Mariano that is poised to be fully operational in 2012. The US$ 120 million investment will produce bioethanol from an 11,000 hectare sugarcane plantation around San Mariano’s 30-kilometer radius, and will convert sugarcane residual material or bagasse to electricity in this 19-megawatt power plant, projecting a 13-megawatt contribution to the Luzon grid in the future.

Mindanao Grains Processing Company Inc. is an agribusiness venture based in the Mindanao province of Bukidnon and owned by the La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation of Iloilo City in the Visayas region. Mindanao Grains has expanded its operations to Luzon by opening its P500 million Reina Mercedes Corn Processing Center, the largest post-harvest facility for the corn industry. It was inaugurated by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in October 2010 and is a testament to the company’s commitment to assist Isabela’s corn farmers in production efficiency so as to ensure food security in the country.

Future Investment Hub

Over the next decade, Isabela is projected to become the Agro-Industrial Capital of the Philippines. The currect provincial officials, led by Governor Bojie Dy and Vice Governor Rodito Albano, have taken steps to make this goal attainable.

In support of President Aquino’s commitment to the development of the countryside, three Cabinet Departments (Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources) have adopted the Convergence Strategy to unify interventions in sustainable rural development.

Recently, Gov. Dy and representatives of the three Cabinet Secretaries launched the Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Cluster in Isabela consisting of three commodity clusters – rice, sugarcane and coffee. A total of P 8.48 billion is required for three projects pinpointed under the Enhanced National Convergence Initiative involving 12 towns in Isabela: irrigation, sugarcane industry development for renewable energy, and coffee production support.

Under Isabela’s Coastal Development Project, a world-class industrial and tourism complex is being built in Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan and Dinapigue. Development of this area is being undertaken to ensure that village life in the four affected municipalities will continue to pulsate. To complement the two air transportation facilities in Coastal Isabela, an efficient road and network are being implemented while respecting the rights and ancestral domain of affected indigenous residents who want to keep the natural environment well-preserved and sustainable.

Plans are underway to revive the “Isabela Special Agro-Industrial Zone Act of 2004” which was passed by the House of Representatives but did not reach third reading in the Senate at that time. Enactment of this proposed bill would accelerate the growth of Isabela through the establishment of a special economic zone in Barangay San Luis, Cauayan City.

Two other developments are worth watching since they could most likely serve as catalysts to spur the further development of Isabela’s economy.

In his 2010 State of the Nation Address, President Aquino identified projects put forward by interested investors “like a toll expressway from Metro Manila to Cagayan valley without the government having to spend a single peso.” He was referring tot eh P13.6-billion, 456-kilometer North Luzon East Expressway (NLEE) proposal of the San Miguel Group. This superhighway from Quezon City to Tuguegarao City would pass the major cities and towns of Isabela, and cut travel time by more than half. The NLEE’s first phase from Balara, Quezon City to Norzagaray, Bulacan has already started construction. It will benefit Isabela in the same way the SCTEX expressway has done wonders for Subic, Clark and Tarlac.

An even more exciting prospect is the annexation by the Philippines of a territory called Benham Rise within 2012. The 13-million hectare undersea region east of Isabela and Aurora provinces is being claimed by the country as part of its exclusive economic zone when it lodged its claim in 2009 with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLOS). No other claimant-country has come forward. If the UNCLOS recognizes the Philippines’ claim, Benham Rise will add 50% to the country’s territorial area. Early indications show high levels of natural gas, and if oil is found there, it will make the Philippines self-sufficient in fuel and might even become a petroleum exporter. Like the Malampaya gas fields which have benefitted Palawan province where they are located, Benham Rise will ultimately be beneficial to the Isabeliños and the rest of the Filipinos.

Indeed, the future looks bright for Isabela as a premier investment hub in Northern Philippines.

Eco-Tourism

The 113-kilometer stretch of very fine white sand along Isabela's Pacific coast where the idyllic towns of Divilacan, Palanan, Maconacon, and Dinapigue are located, is inarguably Luzon's best-kept secret. With the near completion of the 82-km road that traverses part of the Northern Sierra Madre and connects the capital City of Ilagan to Divilacan, accessibility to the coastal towns is immensely increased, with travel taking only one hour.

Breath-taking landscapes, crisp, clean air, an unspoiled natural environment with rare flora and fauna, and a people predisposed to please combined with warm tropical weather and reliable power, communications, and transportation infrastructure to make Isabela an ideal eco-tourism destination. The beaches of coastal Isabela fringe the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Surfers in Palanan are treated to good wave breaks and wind power, and magnificent view of the Sierra Madre Forest. Pointed nose dolphins and humpback whales have been sighted in the hidden paradise of Dicotcotan Beach which stretches three kilometers and borders a coastal forest and seafront village. 

The Sta. Victoria Caves, a fascinating underground system of more than 12 limestone caves with subterranean waterfalls and sparkling rocks, is located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. It is included in the buffer zone of the Palawan Wilderness Area; hence there is a good chance to spot unique birds and animals along the trails. The area is also brimming with historical and archeological significances as it is once believed to be the home of the nomadic Dumagat in the past. Moreover, this cave system is part of the 200-hectare Ilagan Sanctuary, a natural reserve with a recreational facility, which is also part of the Fuyot Spring Natural Park 

The Palanan Rainforest, which is part of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, is one of Asia’s remaining virgin forests and was declared a protected wilderness area in 1979. The Cagayan River and its tributaries also pose as potential eco-tourism destinations with continuing developments in the areas of the Abuan River, Cagayan River, and the Pinacanuan River. Activities such as kayaking, river cruising, cave exploration, mountaineering, trekking, beachcombing and scuba diving are only some of the activities that nature adventurers would enjoy in this majestic province.