Frequently asked questions
Common questions about services and this site.
Find answers to common questions about provincial services
General Questions
The Provincial Capitol is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. We are closed on weekends and national/local holidays.
Visit our Government Directory page to find contact information for all provincial offices and department heads.
Currently, most services require in-person applications. However, we are working on implementing online services for select transactions. Check individual service pages for updates.
Certificates & Documents
For birth certificates registered in Isabela, it typically takes 15-30 minutes while you wait, provided the record is readily available.
Yes, but they must bring:
- An authorization letter signed by you
- Valid ID of both you and the representative
- Photocopy of your valid ID
Both are certified true copies. PSA certificates are the nationally-recognized version required for passport and visa applications. Local civil registrar certificates are accepted for most local transactions and are often processed faster.
Business & Permits
Business permits must be renewed annually, preferably in January. The deadline for penalty-free renewal is typically January 20th of each year.
To start a new business, you'll need:
- DTI Registration (for sole proprietorship) or SEC Registration (for corporation)
- Barangay Clearance
- Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
- Location Sketch/Map
- Contract of Lease (if renting)
Visit our Business Permit page for complete details.
Payments & Fees
Currently, we accept cash payments at the Provincial Treasurer's Office. We are working on implementing online payment options for taxes and fees.
Visit the Provincial Treasurer's Office at the Provincial Capitol with your Tax Declaration or latest Official Receipt. Payment is in cash. Property taxes are due quarterly, but you may pay annually to avail of discounts.
Social Services
Go to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) with:
- Birth Certificate or any valid ID showing your age (60 and above)
- 1x1 ID photo
- Barangay Residence Certificate
The ID is issued for free.
Senior citizens enjoy 20% discount and VAT exemption on purchases (with a minimum purchase amount per establishment), priority lanes, and access to special programs and medical assistance from the province.
Technical Questions
Thank you for helping us improve! Please send us message at volunteer@betterisabela.org and write "Website Issue" as the subject. Describe the problem and include the page URL if possible.
Yes! Better Isabela is fully responsive and optimized for mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers.
About the Developer
Ramon Logan Jr. is the developer behind Abakada.org and BetterIsabela.org, a community-driven initiative building a digital bridge between the residents of Isabela and the local government of Isabela. Based in the United Arab Emirates, he works in IT and practices full-stack development, helping build practical digital solutions in web development, design, cloud services, and cybersecurity.
He also started HelloPinas.com, a small cloud-based solutions initiative. Ramon contributes to BetterGov.ph, a volunteer-driven civic-tech effort focused on improving access to local government information and services in the Philippines.
He is also an individual participant of the OpenJS Foundation, a nonprofit supporting open-source JavaScript communities worldwide.
Ramon has made the Isabela Project open source under MIT | CC BY 4.0 to empower community-driven development, and contributions are warmly welcomed from everyone; whether you are a developer, data researcher, designer, content writer, translator, or a concerned citizen of Isabela, your participation helps shape the project for all.
Still have questions?
If you didn't find the answer you were looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us.