The Ilagan EO, which is the SEC’s 15th regional office, was inaugurated on Feb. 24, 2025.
Located at The Capital Arena, Brgy. Alibagu, Ilagan City, it addresses the need for localized regulatory services, ensuring a more efficient and accessible registration process for businesses in the region.
The Cagayan Valley region is one of only three areas in the country without an SEC extension office, alongside Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. However, the region recorded the highest gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth at 6.18 percent in 2023, exceeding the national growth rate of 5.55 percent and reaching P447.07 billion.
As of December 2024, there were 6,154 SEC-registered corporations and partnerships in the region, with Isabela province accounting for almost half at 2,955 registered entities. Isabela is also home to two special economic zones, making it a strategic location for business expansion.
The Ilagan EO will provide SEC-related services, including business registration, complaints processing, and regulatory oversight, promoting transparency and accountability in the region’s business landscape.
“The Ilagan EO is part of our efforts to bring SEC services closer to business owners, encouraging more companies to incorporate and invest in the region,” said SEC Chair Emilio B. Aquino.
This is the second SEC regional office opened in 2025, following SEC Laoag in January. In 2024, three regional offices were launched: the EOs in Butuan, Koronadal, and Lipa. .— Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
