Ilagan City, the Corn Capital of the Philippines, was able to stamp its mark in the industry of business, tourism and sports, putting itself on track of achieving its goal as a livable city by 2030.
Now comes more good news for the Ilagueños beyond the games.
As Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz delivered his city address while celebrating his birthday, the amiable head of the city disclosed two important projects that would benefit the local folks.
“Nakipag-coordinate po sa akin ang San Ignacio Energy Resources Development Corporation. Ilang months ko na sinasabi sa inyo ito, pero tuluy na tuloy na ito. Tapos na ang kanilang requirements at nakipag-coordinate na sila last week kasama ang members ng council,” said Mayor Diaz.
“In partnership with our local company, global and foreign investors, SUMEC Engineering, for the initial phase of the 440-megawatt solar energy project na itatayo dito and they would be bidding for additional 3,500 workers, so we are addressing unemployment.”
This 440-megawatt peak Isabela Solar Power Project was developed by San Ignacio Energy Resources and Development Corporation, a subsidiary of French-owned Total Eren. SUMEC’s involvement is more focused on engineering, procurement and construction for the project.
How significant is the establishment of this solar energy project? Mayor Diaz answered:
“Kapag natapos po ang project na ito, of course there would be meeting of the minds between Isabela Electric Cooperative and our investors magkakaroon po tayo ng cheaper power rates. Before the leadership of Engr. Erni Baggao, we’re paying P21 per/kwh ang ibinabayad natin. Ngayon, under his leadership, P9/kwh na lang at possible pa itong bababa because of this solar project,” said Mayor Diaz.
“This is also good news for our big investors. They’re also looking to provide direct services sa mga industrial establishments on their power supply requirements.”
But help keeps on pouring in as beginning next year, more benefits on scholarship grants will be given to achieving students.
“When we were given opportunity to serve as Mayor of Ilagan, we were able to provide full scholarship grants, which we are still doing up to now,” added Mayor Diaz. “This year, we were able to disbursed nearly P50 million of scholarship grants, benefitting almost 6,000 scholars of ACES, SAINTS, ISIP (Isabela State University), SUCCESS, MSTP. Binayaran natin ang around P30 million na tuition ng mga nasa Isabela State University under ISIP program.”
“For 2026, dodoblehin pa namin ang scholarship grants.”
From P5,000, these scholars will receive P10,000 from the city government beginning 2026 as the council approved the P100 million budget for these deserving students.
Mayor Diaz shared some of the accomplishments of the City of Ilagan, which was named the Most Business Friendly LGU in the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo . It also received recognition from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), which was named among the top five LGUs for its total expenditures per capita.
On Thursday, November 27, the City of Ilagan was also named among the top 10 LGUs from the entire country to be feted for Transparency in Good Governance during the Subaybayani 2025 Awards, whose achievers were awarded by no less than President Bongbong Marcos. Among those included in the elite list were Pasig City, Victorias City, Science City of Munoz and Bulacan.
But the City of Ilagan was also a staple in sports and tourism and about a month ago, the LGU made its presentation to the organizers of the 3rd Asean Clean Tourist City title.
Ilagan City also took pride of hosting major international and local professional sporting events, cementing its role as the new sports tourism hub of the north. Among the events which the LGU hosted include the East Asia Super League as the Capital Arena served as the surrogate home court of the Meralco Bolts, the country’s lone representative in this fast-rising event in the Asian region.
The Capital Arena is the home court of the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, the newest team in the MPBL, which made the playoffs right on its first season, while also staging events like the Premier Volleyball League, both two stagings were packed to the rafters, as well as the first ever preseason provincial game of the PBA between Rain or Shine and Meralco.
By next month, Capital Arena will also host another international event — the Asian Tournament — where the Cowboys will compete against some of the Asian region’s top club teams.
In the past, the City of Ilagan was able to stage the Asian Athletic Championships, the Little League Baseball Series, the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy and regularly holds the regional meets participated by athletes in the entire Cagayan Valley.
