Major Products:
With vast agricultural, forest and water resources, Isabela ranks first in rice, corn and livestock production in the region. The woodworking industry is assured of a continuous supply of raw materials while the lengthy range of sea coasts provide abundant supply of fishery and aquatic resources.
Industries that are dominant in the province include the woodworking industry (furniture and building components); food processing industry (dairy and poultry products, preserved fruits and vegetables; beverages, snack food, and delicacies); gift, housewares and holiday decors industry (basketries, woodbits, bamboo crafts and terra-cotta); and other resource-based industries.
Basketry, Bamboo &
Terra-cotta
One finds in Isabela unique and unique and environment-friendly products manufactured for personal, decorative and functional needs. Among them are the quality and artistically designed sabutan bags from Palanan, the classy and functional bamboo craft of Delfin Albano and the uniquely designed clay-based terra-cotta jars, vases and other curious and ornaments from the towns of Sta. Maria and San Isidro. A new product launched is the functional and fashionable “bayong”, a native bag made of indigenous raw materials such as water hyacinth, corn husk, nito, rattan, talahib, cogon and other vines. Truly, there is much to expect from an array of resources which are abundant in the province.
Woods works
Furniture and Building Components
Excellently crafted and quality wood furniture are the pride of Ilagan, San Mariano, Cauayan City, Jones and Cordon. These towns offer a myriad selection of custom built furniture made from softwood species which are abundantly found in industrial plantation sites. Ilagan, as the One Town One Product (OTOP) Craft Village for Furniture, is the furniture center of the valley. Its “Giant Butaka” chair almost made it to the Guinness Book of Records. The “Butaka” symbolizes the hospitality that Isabela forebears are noted for and stands majestically as testament to the world class creativity and artistry of the furniture makers of Isabela. The province is also one of the major suppliers of school desks in the country. Because of the quality of the products, producers usually get the lion’s share of all DepEd contracts.
Preserved foods and Beverages
Fresh & Processed Foods
Isabela is blessed with rich selection of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Refreshing fruit drinks, like the Calamansi Nectar are produced in Aurora and Gamu. They are the much loved fruit drink of Isabelinos. Also a pride of Isabela is iits pickled vegetable like ampalaya and mushroom. Best enjoyed as an appetizer, the pickled vegetable in syrup has a unique taste that makes it irresistible.
Processed Meat
The province also boasts of its canned food products produced by the Isabela State University such as, sheep meat (mutton) and goat meat (chevon). Their best selling products with exotic but classy taste are the kilawin, adobo and kaldereta. The products are processed and canned using the facilities of the University. More importantly, they are processed without preservatives.
Rice
Isabela, being the rice bowl of the region, offers the best quality rice at reasonable prices. The Eden rice of Roxas captivates the market with its luscious and fresh taste. Big rice millers distribute the best rice in the country popularly known as Sinandomeng, Sterling, and Dinorado.
Aquamarine Products
From the coastal towns of palanan, Maconacon and Divilacan are crabs and lobsters served regularly in Isabela’s classy restaurants. Mussels are also often sought after by soup lovers. Another favorite menu in restaurants located in Isabela is grilled seafood.
Delicacies
Fresh & Processed Foods
Isabela also produces delicious native delicacies. In demand are the best tasting traditionally made rice cakes or “bibingka” of Ilagan, San Pablo, Echague, and Naguilian, and the much preferred “Pancit Cabagan” with savory toppings of crunchy meat, vegetable and quail egges.In addition are the delectable pasta and pizza of Echague’s Cafѐ by the Park, which is favorite of pasta lovers, and salted duck eggs from San Mateo.
The good news is that all these can be yours for the taking! Whether it is for personal pleasure or for your personal pleasure or for some worthwhile business undertakings, these exceptional ISABELA products are abundantly waiting for you! Visit Isabela today to see, taste and experience what Isabelinos have to offer!
Snack Food
Isabela is home to some of the most delectable and healthy snack foods: rice-mongo chips of Cabagan, San Agustin and Gamu. These yummy snack favorites will make you crave for more. In the town of San Pablo, fresh carabao’s milk are processed into delicious milk candies which are the much-sought after “pasalubong” to frequent visitors. Cabatuan’s delicious muriecos and special peanut-coated cookies, and best-tasting otap biscuit from Reina Mercedes are surely a big hit to food stuff lovers.