Isabela City, Basilan, Philippines

Isabela City, Basilan, Philippines has a population of 130,379 as of the 2020 census.
In 2015 it had a population of: 112,788

Isabela City is in the province of Basilan and the province is within Region XV-BARMM but the city is designated under Region IX, in the Republic of the Philippines.

Barangays of City of Isabela, in the Basilan Province within Region IX in the Republic of The Philippines
Aguada • Balatanay • Baluno • Begang • Binuangan • Busay • Cabunbata • Calvario • Carbon • Diki • Dona Ramona T. Alano (Isabela Westsite) • Isabela Eastside (Pob.) • Isabela Proper (Pob.) • Kapatagan Grande • Kapayawan • Kaumpurnah Zone I • Kaumpurnah Zone II • Kaumpurnah Zone III • Kumalarang • La Piedad (Pob.) • Lampinigan • Lanote • Lukbuton • Lumbang • Makiri • Maligue (Lunot) • Marang-Marang • Marketsite (Pob.) • Masula • Menzi • Panigayan • Panunsulan • Port Area (Pob.) • Riverside • San Rafael • Santa Barbara • Santa Cruz (Pob.) • Seaside (Pob.) • Small Kapatagan • Sumagdang • Sunrise Village (Pob.) • Tabiawan • Tabuk (Pob.) • Tampalan • Timpul

Elected Government Officials of Isabela City, Philippines

For the term of 2025-2028

City Mayor: Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman
City Vice Mayor: Ar-Jhemar K. Ajibon

Elected City Council Members of Isabela City, Philippines

Candu I. Muarip
Abner S. Rodriguez
Bimbo E. Epping
Jeromy L. Casas
Alha-Zim S. Akbar
Khaleedsher M. Asarul
Yusop I. Abubakar
Mary May B. Julhari
Alexes I. Ututalum
Al-Ameen Camlian

About Isabela City, Basilan, Philippines

Isabela City, Basilan, Philippines: The city of Isabela is capital city of the island of Basilan. The island of Basilan is within the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), however, the city of Isabela is not part of the ARMM and is administratively listed within Region IX.

Location and Geography of Isabela City, Philippines:

Isabela City is only 30 minutes away via sea jet boats from Zamboanga City.

Isabela is located in the Northern part of Basilan Island, North 63 degrees, 45 minutes Latitude and South 121 degrees, 58 minutes Longitude.

Distance between Zamboanga and Isabela City is 27.16 km. This distance is equal to 16.88 miles, and 14.66 nautical miles.

Its political boundaries are; the town of Lamitan bounded on the east; on the west by the town of Lantawan; on the south by the towns of Sumisip and Maluso; and on the north by the Basilan Strait, which separates the Island from Zamboanga Peninsula.

Land Area. The city of Isabela has a total land area of 22,373 hectares, part of which is distributed to the islands of Malamawi, Lampinigan and Balatanay. The city consist 45 barangays with 18 urban barangays and 27 rural barangays.

A Historical Overview of Isabela City, Philippines

Isabela City, a significant hub in the Basilan province, has a rich history that has shaped its political and geographical landscape. Its evolution from an ancient settlement to a chartered city is a story of colonial influence, administrative changes, and local identity.

Early Beginnings and Spanish Influence

Long before its current name, the island province of Basilan was known as “Taguima.” The area that would become Isabela was referred to as “Pasangan” by its indigenous inhabitants, including the Yakan, Samal Bangingih, Badjao, and Tausug ethnic groups. In 1844, Spanish forces occupied Pasangan, and on July 3, 1845, it was officially renamed “Isabela” in honor of Spain’s Queen Isabela II. This renaming was carried out by Don Ramon Lubo and Don Cayetano Suarez de Figueroa, then the Marine Chief of Zamboanga and Governor of the District, respectively.

A Century of Administrative Changes

For much of the Spanish and American colonial periods, Basilan was part of the Zamboanga Province, which also included what are now Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte. When Zamboanga City was chartered in 1937, Basilan became part of its jurisdiction.

A significant shift occurred on July 1, 1948, when Republic Act No. 288 was enacted, sponsored by Congressman Juan S. Alano. This law separated Basilan from Zamboanga City and created the City of Basilan, with three districts: Isabela, Lamitan, and Maluso. Nicasio Valderoza was appointed as the first City Mayor, serving until 1953, followed by Leroy S. Brown.

The administrative landscape changed again on December 27, 1973, with President Ferdinand E. Marcos’s issuance of Presidential Decree No. 356. This decree created the Province of Basilan from the former City of Basilan, with Isabela as its capital. The former City of Basilan was significantly reduced in size. Subsequently, P.D. 593 (December 2, 1974) and P.D. 840 (December 11, 1975) further adjusted the provincial boundaries and municipalities, absorbing the former City of Basilan and the Municipality of Malamawi into the Municipality of Isabela.

The Path to Cityhood

On December 12, 1975, Atty. Ricardo G. Mon was sworn in as the Mayor of the newly expanded Municipality of Isabela, assuming office on January 1, 1976.

The long-standing goal of cityhood was finally achieved on March 5, 2001, when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9023, officially converting the Municipality of Isabela into a component city. This act was ratified by the local population in a plebiscite on April 25, 2001. The first City Mayor elected under this new status was Luis R. Biel II, though it is important to note that he was elected in 1998, serving as the last municipal mayor and first city mayor. The city charter, however, came later, in 2001.

Today, Isabela City stands as the commercial and administrative center of Basilan, strategically located at the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and surrounded by the waters of the Celebes Sea, Moro Gulf, and Sulu Sea.

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For every city or municipality to prosper, it must develop the barangay’s infrastructures.

January 7, 2026

1️⃣ Andas for Traslación 2026 now ready, with upgrades

The Andas carrying the Black Nazarene for January 9 Traslación features new steering wheel and reinforced underchassis to handle massive devotee crowds safely.

2️⃣ Over 3,500 affected by Mayon volcano unrest

NDRRMC reports 3,515 people from 964 families evacuated in Albay due to recent magmatic eruptions, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows; all in permanent danger zone.

3️⃣ Magnitude 6.4 quake hits off southern Philippines

USGS detects 6.4 quake off Davao Oriental coast—no tsunami threat reported, but locals feel shaking; no immediate damage confirmed.

List of Cities in the Philippines

The move towards Federalism in the Philippines is simply a ploy to create political dynasties and establish a Bangsamoro State (an autonomous Islamic State).