Executive Chronicles | Why Ilagan Isabela Will Be Among the Top Cities in 2030 | The Philippines is well-known for being rich in crops and different spices. One of the crops that Philippines’ produce is corn. Corn is usually used as alternative for rice and is used for feeds in poultry. Did you know that a province in the Cagayan Valley is well-known as the corn capital of the Philippines? This is the city of Ilagan and it is located in the province of Isabela. Now, you might be wondering what is special about this place besides that of being the corn capital of the Philippines. So, let’s discover the beauty of Ilagan, Isabela and the important reason to invest here before 2030.
The City of Ilagan
Ilagan, one of the most competitive cities in the nation, is quickly emerging as the region’s leading economic centers and investment hubs. Ilagan, the corn capital of the Philippines, is a location where people and businesses prosper and achieve their potential to develop into a livable city for all.
The City of Ilagan serves as both the provincial capital of Isabela and the entryway to the province’s coastal regions wherein it is located in the Cagayan Valley region. Ilagan is not just an excellent location for growth, but it is also the nation’s top producer of high-quality corn and the region’s epicenter of ecotourism.
Mammangi Festival 2023 – The Corn Festival in the Philippines
The most anticipated event in Ilagan is the Mammangi Festival. The vivid parade of different cluster of Ilagan is the most attracting part because the youth of the Ilagueño exhibit the different amazing costumes that were made by different artists from Ilagan. A foreigner must include this in their bucket list when they visit the Philippines because the smile of each youth dancer will surely make them happy.
For this Mammangi Festival 2023, the most awaited part is the dance contest that was held at Ilagan Sports Complex. The 8 clusters (Poblacion 2, San Antonio 2, Poblacion 1, Western 1, Western 2, Northeastern 2, San Antonio 1, and Northeastern 1) showed their jaw dropping performances in front of Ilagueños. While watching their performance, full emotions and power was experienced for each cluster. No words can explain that the youth Ilagueños are very talented.
After all the dance contest, a wonderful performance of different local artist such as Nic Galano, Celeste Legaspi, Alyn, Magadia, Floyd Tena, Dulce, JD Tena, and the Whiplash Dance Company were presented before the announcement of the winners for Agro-Ecotourism Booth and Dance Competition.
After the spectacular performance, you will feel the tension and heaviness of the situation of the participants. Here is the list of the winners for Agro-Ecotourism Booth and Dance Competition:
Agro-Ecotourism Booth
Category A
- 2nd Runner Up – Northeastern 1
- 1st Runner Up – Poblacion 2
- Champion – Western 1
Category B
- 2nd Runner Up – TESDA – ISAT
- 1st Runner Up – Isabela State University
- Champion – ISELCO II
Street Dance Competition
- 2nd Runner Up – San Antonio 1
- 1st Runner Up – Poblacion 1
- Champion – Northeastern 1
Showdown Competition
- 2nd Runner Up – Northeastern 1
- 1st Runner Up – Poblacion 1
- Champion – Northeastern 2
Over All Winner
- 3rd Runner Up – Northeastern 2
- 2nd Runner Up – Western 1
- 1st Runner Up – Poblacion 1
- Champion – Northeastern 1
You will see on the face of other clusters the smile and happiness that even they were not the winners of the competition they were still happy and even gave a round of applause to all the finalists in Mammangi Festival 2023.
Matching the happiness of Ilagueños, the LGU invited Ms. Gigi De Llana and Gino Padilla to perform during the Grand Launch of “Liveable City of Ilagan 2023: Adhikain ng Bawat Ilagueño”. After all the hard work and effort of LGU and Ilagueños. It was a spectacular fireworks show that was performed in the middle of the night to show how successful the Mammangi Festival 2023.
Binibining Ilagan 2023 Grand Coronation Night
The night of beauty and elegance, the time where the stars shone bright. This was the Binibining Ilagan 2023! This year, 19 beautiful women were competing for this Binibining Ilagan 2023 that was held at the Ilagan Sports Complex. All of them are gorgeous and beautiful but only 5 participants went for Binibining Ilagan 2023. During the coronation, the Ilagan government invited a well-known artist to be guest, who is no other than James Reid.
James Reid at Binibining Ilagan 2023Everybody was excited to see him during the coronation and Ilagueños were thrilled when James sang a song during the pageant. Top 10 contestants were chosen to enter the next round and to exhibit their intellectual aspect to Ilagueños. They answered all the questions delightfully and with poise but only 5 winners were selected to have a crown and represent Ilagan to Binibining Isabela. Below are the top 5 winners for Binibining Ilagan 2023:
- Binibining Ilagan 2023: Kristine Guzman (Marana 1st)
- Binibining Ilagan Sining, Kultura at Turismo 2023: Kay Bautista (Bliss)
- Binibining Ilagan Agrikultura 2023: Justine Morillo (San Andres)
- Binibining Ilagan 1st Runner Up: Kris Villar (Naguilian Sur)
- Binibining Ilagan 2nd Runner Up: Frances Leaño (San Vicente)
The Attraction at Ilagan, Isabela
Tourism is one of the goals of Ilagan to have a great economy. You are wondering what tourist attractions can Ilagueños can show us? Here are the most exciting tourist spots in Ilagan, Isabela that you should check out.
Bonifacio Park and Butaca
Bonifacio Park is one of the attraction in Ilagan wherein it is location at the center of Ilagan City. Beside it is the Giant Butaca which is the main attraction of the City of Ilagan. Butaca is a common household furniture in Ilagan that symbolizes the “Ipabalem” or the feel-at-home hospitality of Illagueños, a distinctive trait that assures a relaxed feeling of kinship to invited guests and friendly acceptance to transients who find their way to the Ilagueño home.
Ilagan Japanese Garden
When you go to this place, you will surely be glad to experience this because it is surrounded by beautiful scenery, flowers, and trees, and the breeze was pleasant and refreshing. To complete the Japanese experience, tourists and visitors can dress in kimono. The kimono’s intricate design made it difficult to wear and the fabric used for kimonos is thick and heavy, rather than linen or cotton. But overall you experience the perfect Japanese vibe.
Ilagan Japanese Tunnel anchored the long told story and historical facts that indeed Ilagan placed a significant role and holds a special place in the history of Isabela during the Japanese Occupation.
Ilagan Sanctuary
Ilagan Sanctuary is the new attraction in Ilagan, Isabela. This tourist attraction is recommended for people who are adventurous and want outdoor activities. Ilagan Sanctuary is composed of different attractions like a waterpark resort, animal zoo, and outdoor activities like a zip line, cable car, ATV, go kart, and many more. There is also cave-hopping and exploring the Pinzall Falls. While developing this kind of attraction in 200 hectares of land, Mayor Jay Diaz ensures that they are also preserving the nature in its original form.
Ilagan City – Towards to Liveable City 2030
Towards to a Liveable City, this 2023, Mayor Jay Diaz started the initial phase for Ilagan City which is the I-Corn Complex. Last August 7, 2023, the I-Corn Complex Groundbreaking Ceremony at Ilagan City, Isabela was presented by Mayor Jay L. Diaz with special guest Senator Mark Villar, former Mayor Evelyn “Mudz” Diaz, and OIC Regional Director Rosemarie Aquino.
So what does the benefit of the I-Corn Complex in the city of Ilagan? The I-CORN Complex in the “Corn Capital of the Philippines”, and this, the City of Ilagan shall cater to the needs of the farmers, fisher-folk, and other stakeholders to serve as sustainable agribusiness for the corn producing municipalities of the Province of Isabela, and gearing towards “Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita”. The Complex, with its components, will serve as processing, research and training facility for climate-resiliency and sustainability; thus, creating farming communities with full potential to increase yield and eventually generate more income.
The I-Corn complex features climate resilient agriculture. Its buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art modern facilities, equipment and engineering infrastructures. This is consistent with their fight against the changing climate. With this project, the corn farming communities will be acknowledged as an income and job generator in the country. Productivity level will increase and be sustained amidst the changing climate and the dream of the Province of Isabela will soon realize as the Corn Processing Hub of the North and sustain its potential as the Corn Capital of the Philippines.
Another project that will make Ilagan to be a liveable city in 2023 is the Ilagan JLD Village – a City Housing Project at Barangay Alibagu. City Mayor Jay Diaz and officials from the LGU of Ilagan led the Blessing and inauguration of the JLD Village (City Housing Project). The JDL Housing project will create 100 housing units, 32 Economic housing (Single Detached), 26 units Socialized Housing (Duplex Type Housing), and 40 Units Socialized (Row Housing).
Invest Now in the City of Ilagan
The City of Ilagan is a growing city in the Cagayan Valley Region that has a strong economy. This site is the best place for industry growth in the country and the Asia-Pacific region. Being close to most provinces in Region 2 and Eastern Cordillera Region is beneficial for local marketing. Having airports in Tuguegarao and Cauayan cities make it easier to reach different places and services.
You can also help the Ilagueños build their dream liveable city by 2023. So what are you waiting for? You may contact the local government unit of Ilagan through their Facebook Page.
