Samar Baseline Study Report

Consortium for the Advancement and
Development of Local Economies of Samar

(CANDLES)
Samar Baseline Study

Report
Results of the survey on the major

elements of local economy building
in the identified pilot areas in
Eastern and Northern Samar
Prepared for CANDLES by: JAY BERTRAM T. LACSAMANA
Contributors:
RICARDO CLARIN
LENI MAGALIT
MARIA MENDOZA
ROMIL HERNANDEZ
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................... i
Chapter 1 Samar, the Philippine Economy and Poverty ................................................................1
I. Samar and its role in the Philippine Economy................................................................. 1
Population......................................................................................................1
Production......................................................................................................2
Family income and expenditures ..................................................................3
Labor Force and Employment.......................................................................4
Agricultural Production ..................................................................................5
Infrastructure..................................................................................................6
Road Network................................................................................................6
Electrification..................................................................................................6
Number of Establishments ............................................................................7
Housing..........................................................................................................8
Education and Literacy................................................................................10
II. Poverty Situation in Samar ........................................................................................... 11
Chapter 2 Community and Household Profiles.............................................................................15
I. Socio-Economic Profile of Pilot Communities ............................................................... 15
A. Eastern Samar .............................................................................................................15
1. Municipality of Borongan....................................................................15
2. Municipality of Guiuan........................................................................24
3. Municipality of Mercedes....................................................................33
B. Northern Samar............................................................................................................41
1. Municipality of Lavezares...................................................................41
2. Municipality of Mondragon .................................................................47
3. Municipality of San Jose ....................................................................50
II. Household Profiles ....................................................................................................... 58
A. Basic Information .........................................................................................................58

B. Demographic Profile ....................................................................................................58
C. Socio-Economic...........................................................................................................59
Chapter 3 LGU Institutional Development Landscape ...............................................................70
A. Basic Political Information............................................................................................70
B. Development vision and objectives .............................................................................70
C. LGU development plans and investment programs ...................................................74
D. Partnerships with national government, NGOs and private groups ...........................74
E. Microenterprise/Financial Institutions ..........................................................................75
F. LGU Capacity...............................................................................................................76
Chapter 4 Civil Society and NGOs in Samar ..............................................................................79
A. Introduction ..................................................................................................................79
B. Locating CSOs in Samar Island ..................................................................................80
C. The Political Climate in Samar ....................................................................................92
Chapter 5 Development Financing Institutions ...........................................................................94
Profile of Respondents.............................................................................94
Profile of Clients .......................................................................................94
Loaned Amount and Cost of Borrowing ..................................................95
Training extended by the Financing Institutions ......................................95
Average Repayment Rate .......................................................................95
Case Study...............................................................................................95
Chapter 6 Private Investments and Overseas Remittances.......................................................98
I. Small Private Investments in Northern and Eastern Samar.......................................... 98
II. Investment Potential of Remittances: Household Survey Results ............................. 106
ii
Introduction
T
his baseline study is undertaken for the Consortium for the Advancement
and Development of Local Economies of Samar (CANDLES). It aims to
establish relevant data and information necessary in coming up with an
objective, well-informed and well-grounded blueprint or plan for the advancement
of the local economy of Samar. The baseline data and information was culled
from both primary and secondary sources, gathering the latest possible given the
limited time and resources available for the researchers. While attempting to
establish comprehensive baseline situation in the pilot areas, it is not in any way
complete and would continuously need updating and enhancement. Suffice it to
say that the initial results of this baseline are sufficient to formulate the major
contours of the blueprint and indicative development strategies and interventions
open for CANDLES in the target areas.
Composed mostly of development-oriented NGOs, CANDLES in late 2004

adopted a common development framework and vision for the development of the
local economies of Samar. This development framework is the embodiment of the
various experiences in poverty reduction and development work of its lead
convenors and member agencies with and among various development actors in
government, private sector and fellow development NGOs, in and outside Samar.
The framework is described as the five major pillars in poverty reduction and local
economy building. (For a detailed elaboration of the framework, please find
attached Research Framework, Design and Data Gathering Instruments Manual
for the Formulation of the Blueprint for Samar Local Economy Building). These
elements are:
1. Poor households and the entrepreneurial poor and their communities;

2. Local governance and the public sector;
3. Civil society and non-government sector;
4. Development financing and microfinance institutions, and
5. Private sector, external investments and the development potential of
remittances of overseas Filipinos
This document contains the preliminary results of the baseline survey conducted
on the above stated major elements of local economy building in identified pilot
areas in Eastern and Northern Samar. A total of six municipalities were identified
as pilot-survey areas in the two provinces. These are: Northern Samar -- (a)
Lavezares, (b) Mondragon, (c) San Jose; and Eastern Samar – (d) Borongan, (e)
Guiuan, and (f) Mercedes.
i
This report is outlined as follows:
Chapter 1: (i) Samar and the National/Regional Economy;

(ii) Poverty Situation in Samar
Chapter 2 Community and Household Profiles
Chapter 3 Inventory and mapping of LGU development
vision, philosophy, interventions and capacity
Chapter 4 Civil Society Organizations in Samar
Chapter 5 Development Financing Institutions
Chapter 6 Private investments, external investors and
remittances of overseas Filipinos
The presentation is basically limited to summarization and consolidation of the

surveys and secondary data gathering undertaken by the researchers. As
such, very limited analysis and technical judgments and alternatives can be
gleaned from this report. This draft is thus a source book or material of data
and information that would serve as basis for the subsequent blueprint or
plan. It shall be continually augmented with distilled and cleansed data and
information as may be needed in the course of drafting the Samar
development plan or blueprint.
In-depth analysis, findings and technical alternatives and recommendations

will be contained in the draft blueprint that will be presented and discussed in
the CANDLES investment conference in November 2005, signaling the start
of Samar local economy building.
ii
Chapter
Samar, the Philippine
1 Economy and Poverty
I. Samar and its role in the Philippine Economy
Population
Region 8 or Eastern Visayas comprise about 5 percent of the national population of

the country in 2000. The combined proportion of the three Samar provinces is only
about 42 percent of the regional population, two percentage points lower than the
proportion of Leyte province. Population wise, Leyte Province predominates the
region. Nationwide, among 78 provinces in year 2000, Northern Samar ranked 50th
and Eastern Samar ranked 59th in terms of number of inhabitants.
Land Area Density

Population (census-based)
(sq km) (persons/sq
2000 % Rank 1995 % Ran Ran
km) 2000
k k
328,214.7
Philippines 76,498,735 68,616,536 0 255
Region 8 Eastern Visayas 3,610,355 5% 3,366,917 5% 21,988 85
Biliran 140,274 4% 75 132,209 4% 72 528 264 53
Eastern Samar 375,822 10% 59 362,324 11% 58 4,431 84 14
Leyte 1,592,336 44% 15 1,511,251 45% 13 6,520 241 48
Northern Samar 500,639 14% 50 454,195 13% 51 3,445 145 28
Southern Leyte 360,160 10% 61 317,565 9% 61 1,852 353 62
Western Samar 641,124 18% 38 589,373 18% 37 5,212 65 10
Given its total land area, the three provinces of Samar are among the least densely
populated provinces in the country. Western Samar is 10th nationwide in terms of
density (persons per square kilometer), Eastern Samar is 14th and Northern Samar
28th.
The average annual growth rate of Samar provinces is usually less than the national
growth rate. Except for the growth rate of Northern Samar in the 1990-1995 period
where its growth rate exceeded the national figure, average annual population growth
rate is significantly lower than the national average.
Annual Average Growth Rate (in percent)
1980-1990 1990-1995 1995-2000
Philippines 2.35 2.32 2.36
Region 8 Eastern Visayas 0.88 1.84 1.51
Biliran - 2.15 1.28
Eastern Samar 0.27 1.8 0.79
Leyte 1.32 1.89 1.13
Northern Samar 0.13 3.21 2.11
Southern Leyte 0.83 -0.26 2.73
Western Samar 0.63 1.87 1.82
Eastern and Northern Samar provinces are net out migration areas in years 1995 to
2000. Eastern Samar had a net migration rate of –10 percent while Northern Samar
had a –6.5 percent net migration rate. Most out-migrants in Eastern Samar were
women. In Northern Samar, more men went out of the province in search of
opportunities elsewhere.
MIGRATION BY SEX AND PROVINCE/CITY, REGION VIII

1995-2000
In-Migration Out-Migration Net Migration Net
Province/City Total Women Men Total Women Men Total Women Men Migration
Rate
Eastern Samar 11,405 5,661 5,744 48,955 24,478 24,477 (37,550) (18,817) (18,733) (10.0)
Northern
11,897 5,919 5,978 44,661 22,214 22,447 (32,764) (16,295) (16,469) (6.5)
Samar
Production
GRDP at current prices GRDP at constant 1985 prices Per Capita GRDP
in million pesos in million pesos at constant 1985 prices
2001 Rank 2001 Rank 2001 Rank

Philippines 3,639,980 989,259 12,353
NCR 1,310,204 1 305,204 1 29,775 1
CAR 82,936 12 24,229 12 15,923 2
1 106,648 8 29,963 8 6,650 12
2 77,076 14 22,615 14 7,330 11
3 284,726 3 89,525 3 11,011 7
4 511,583 2 150,585 2 13,402 3
5 100,526 9 27,629 9 5,457 15
6 233,333 5 69,557 5 10,032 8
7 255,876 4 70,347 4 11,777 5
8 83,488 11 22,633 13 5,626 14
9 80,884 13 26,651 10 7,963 10
10 134,484 7 38,829 7 13,056 4
11 203,544 6 62,102 6 11,267 6
12 89,986 10 25,906 11 9,385 9
ARMM 33,527 16 9,294 16 3,924 16
CARAGA 51,159 15 14,190 15 5,915 13
2
Eastern Visayas region is near the tail end among the sixteen (16) regions in the
country, in terms of gross regional domestic production. Region 8 ranks 11th in
GRDP in 2000 (current prices) and 13th in terms of constant prices (base: 1985
prices). With Eastern Visayas at the lower end of the ranking are the Cordillera,
Zamboanga, Cagayan Valley, ARMM and CARAGA, regions of the country known for
high poverty incidence and persistent peace and order problems. Denominating the
GRDP with population (per capita GRDP), Eastern Visayas’ ranking even worsens to
14th among 16 other regions.
The overall performance of Eastern Visayas is likewise reflected in its gross value
added by sector (agriculture, manufacturing and services).
GVA in Agriculture, Fishery & Forestry, GVA in Manufacturing GVA in the Services Sector
constant 1985 prices, in million pesos constant 1985 prices, in million constant 1985 prices, in
pesos million pesos
2001 Rank 2001 Rank 2001 Rank
Philippines 197,736 244,084 454,824
NCR - - 95,822 1 191,195 1
CAR 3,485 15 9,676 7 5,216 14
1 12,626 6 1,563 12 12,968 8
2 11,708 7 671 14 6,931 13
3 22,071 2 27,078 3 32,683 4
4 35,386 1 47,280 2 52,233 2
5 9,206 10 391 16 12,341 9
6 20,552 4 11,228 5 31,389 5
7 9,136 11 14,296 4 38,739 3
8 7,274 12 4,597 10 7,768 11
9 13,885 5 2,360 11 8,882 10
10 10,390 8 9,552 8 15,617 7
11 21,934 3 10,673 6 24,193 6
12 9,258 9 7,152 9 7,367 12
ARMM 5,734 13 412 15 2,547 16
CARAGA 5,091 14 1,333 13 4,755 15
Family income and expenditures
From 1994 to 1997, all provinces in the country had increases in average family
income except E. Samar which declined by 8%).
Ave Annual Rank (78 1994-1997 % Rank

Family Income provinces) increase
Eastern Samar 55,694 76 (8.1) 73
Northern Samar 60,081 73 32.1 56
Western Samar 72,751 56 58.6 26
Ave Annual Rank (78 1994-1997 % Rank

Family provinces) increase
Expenditures
Eastern Samar 47,625 72 20.7 69
Northern Samar 44,939 76 25.0 64
Western Samar 53,250 68 52.7 26
3
In terms of family income and expenditures, Eastern and Northern Samar (survey
areas of this study) lag behind most of the provinces in the country. Eastern Samar is
76th in average annual family income in 2000. On the other hand, Northern Samar is
76th in average annual family expenditures in 2000. On the positive note, Northern
Samar had the third lowest inflation rate (0.9%) in 2000 among all the provinces in
the Philippines.
Labor Force and Employment
Samar provinces have achieved modest performance in terms of employment and

the employment growth rate from 2000 to 2001. Eastern and Northern Samar, in
particular ranked 6th and 9th overall in employment growth rates, respectively from
2000 to 2001.
April 2001 Labor Force (in thousands)

Employment Unemployment Growth Rate in Emp
Rate Rate rate 00-01
Employed Unemployed Total % Rank % Rank
Philippines 29,160 4,461 33,621 86.73% 13.27
Region 8 Eastern Visayas 1,504 240 1,744 86.24% 13.76
Biliran 67 11 78 85.90% 56 14.1 17.9 1
Eastern Samar 171 23 194 88.14% 37 11.9 10 6
Leyte 676 124 800 84.50% 67 15.5 7 12
Northern Samar 188 30 218 86.24% 51 13.8 8.6 9
Southern Leyte 131 20 151 86.75% 47 13.2 4.2 19
Western Samar 271 32 303 89.44% 31 10.6 1.4 32
Employment by Type of Industry, Eastern Samar experienced negative growth rates

in agriculture, industry and services from 2000 to 2001. Northern Samar, on the other
hand experienced contraction on in Industry in during the same period.
Employed Persons by Type of Industry (in thousands)

Agriculture Industry Service
Apr-00 Apr-01 Growth Apr-00 Apr-01 Growth Rate Apr-00 Apr-01 Growth
Rate Rate
Philippines 10,558 10,915 3.4 4,571 4,786 4.7 13,167 13,459 2.2
Region 8 Eastern
Visayas
Biliran 28 43 53.6 3 4 33.3 20 20 -
Eastern Samar 123 122 -0.8 14 10 -28.6 61 39 -36.1
Leyte 315 313 -0.6 60 91 51.7 228 272 19.3
Northern Samar 104 108 3.8 22 12 -45.5 90 68 -24.4
Southern Leyte 84 59 -29.8 11 20 81.8 74 52 -29.7
Western Samar 128 160 25 15 21 40 66 90 36.4
4
Agricultural Production
Palay production in Samar provinces also ranks within the bottom 40 percent of the
country’s regions. Per capita production is also at the same level of performance.
Corn production in Eastern Samar in 2000 falls within the top 40 provinces in the
country. In fact, it topped (ranked 1) the growth rate of corn production from 1999 to
2000.
Palay Production Corn Production

Per capita
2000 Growth 2000 Growth
MT Rank
Metric Tons % Rank Rate fr '99 Rank Metric Tons % Rank Rate fr '99 Rank
Philippines 12,389,412 16.2 5.1 4,511,104
Region 8 Eastern Visayas 517,558 4% 46,306 1%
Biliran 53,375 10% 53 38.1 13 4.3 34 695 2% 65 7.8 22
Eastern Samar 26,796 5% 65 7.1 61 8.2 25 31,435 68% 27 44,807.1 1
Leyte 282,160 55% 13 17.7 31 3.7 37 4,589 10% 49 -84.9 74
Northern Samar 48,882 9% 56 9.8 55 -5.7 61 5,770 12% 46 2.6 33
Southern Leyte 50,633 10% 54 14.1 38 0 48 75 0% 73 -98.3 75
Western Samar 55,712 11% 50 8.7 57 -0.3 50 3,742 8% 51 -20.8 63
Banana production in Western Samar accounts for about a fourth of the Region’s
production (together with Leyte) and is second to Southern Leyte in terms of overall
contribution to the Region (Table 2-8). Banana production in the province ranks 30th
compared to the other provinces nationwide. Overall, Western Samar and to a much
lesser extent, Northern Samar, can play secondary role in banana production in the
Region.
Coconut production in Samar provinces falls within the top 20 provinces in the
country. However, growth rates in coconut production from 1999 to 2001 had been
negative or zero for the three Samar provinces.
Banana Production Coconut Production

2000 Growth 2000 Growth
rate fr rate fr
'99 '99
Metric Tons % Rank Rank Metric Tons % Rank Rank
Philippines 4,155,668 7.4 12,499,097,767
Region 8 Eastern Visayas 138,924 3% 1,544,811,558 12%
Biliran 13,094 9% 39 -2.8 63 33,166,768 2% 50 14.3 11
Eastern Samar 4,238 3% 58 0.4 51 229,090,420 15% 15 0 51
Leyte 32,083 23% 29 3.6 31 660,490,459 43% 5 0 52
Northern Samar 7,946 6% 46 0.3 53 214,063,126 14% 18 -3.8 62
Southern Leyte 50,086 36% 18 28.7 7 109,242,578 7% 36 0.5 48
Western Samar 31,477 23% 30 -0.4 57 298,758,207 19% 13 -9 58
Fish production is a dominant economic activity in Western Samar. Among the

provinces in the country, fish production in Western Samar ranks 24th in 1999-2000.
Eastern Samar ranks 53rd in fish production 1999-2000 and Northern Samar ranked
55th during the same period.
5
Fish Production (in metric tons)
2000 Growth
rate fr
Aquaculture Commercial Municipal Total % Rank '99 Rank
Philippines 1,044,433 946,485 945,945 2,936,863 2.1
Region 8 Eastern Visayas 74,829 3%

Biliran - 2,637 1,025 3,662 5% 57 4 47
Eastern Samar 126 1,438 4,817 6,381 9% 53 10.1 29
Leyte 1,175 18,810 6,608 26,593 36% 23 7.8 36

Northern Samar 34 961 4,417 5,412 7% 55 -4 68
Southern Leyte 65 1,801 4,559 6,425 9% 52 -0.9 61
Western Samar 3,017 6,850 16,489 26,356 35% 24 -0.3 60
Infrastructure
Road Network
Eastern Samar ranks 73rd in terms of the total length of concrete national roads,
making the province’s road network the least paved among both Region 8 provinces
and all other provinces of the country. About 36 percent (or 114 kms) of the total
length of Eastern Samar’s national roads is still with gravel-type surface. Fifty-one
percent (51%) of Northern Samar’s total length of national roads is likewise of gravel
type.
Length of National Roads (in kilometers), 2000

Concrete Asphalt Gravel Earth Total
Length % Rank Length % Length % Length %
Philippines 10,611.26 35.70 6,636.47 22.30 11,875.18 39.90 609.95 2.10 29,732.85
Region 8 Eastern Visayas
Biliran 43.11 33 37 - 0 87.67 67 - 0 130.78
Eastern Samar 21.34 6.8 73 176.41 56.6 114 36.6 - 0 311.75
Leyte 562.08 58.8 14 30.56 3.2 333.83 34.9 29.58 3.1 956.05
Northern Samar 132.83 45.6 24 4.75 1.6 150.51 51.6 3.37 1.2 291.45
Southern Leyte 144.58 51.1 19 - 0 133.44 47.1 5.16 1.8 283.18
Western Samar 299.78 84.8 1 11.7 3.3 41.95 11.9 - 0 353.42
Electrification
A considerable number of potential barangays for electrification have not been

energized by electric cooperatives. Only 77 percent of barangays in Eastern Samar
are serviced by an electric cooperative while only 63 percent of potential barangays
are serviced in Northern Samar in 2003.
6
NUMBER OF MUNICIPALITIES AND BARANGAYS ENERGIZED BY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
1997-2003
Electric Cooperative Potential 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Barangays
Region VIII
Municipalities 143 143 143 143 143 143 143
Barangays 4,389 2,343 2,412 2,912 2,921 3,043 3,228 3,618
ESAMELCO
Municipalities 23 23 23 23 23 23 23
Barangays 596 119 128 316 327 331 352 458
NORSAMELCO
Municipalities 24 24 24 24 24 24 24
Barangays 569 176 179 211 229 244 270 356
Majority of the households in occupied dwelling units in both Eastern and Northern
Samar in 2000 are still illuminated by kerosene. Only 33 percent of dwelling units of
households in Northern Samar use electricity for lighting; 43 percent is the
corresponding proportion for Eastern Samar.
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN OCCUPIED DWELLING UNITS BY KIND OF LIGHTING USED AND

PROVINCE/CITY, URBAN-RURAL
Census Years 1990 and 2000
1990
Province/City/Kind of Lighting Used Total Urban Rural 2000
Eastern Samar 60,720 23,118 37,602 73,032
Electricity 8,000 5,974 2,026 31,748
Kerosene 47,993 15,962 32,031 37,528
Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) 4,388 1,112 3,276 928
Oil 19 - 19 346
Others 320 70 250 2,482
Northern Samar 72,365 24,568 47,797 94,410

Electricity 8,152 6,119 1,953 31,619
Kerosene 58,906 17,417 41,489 57,516
Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) 4,882 868 4,014 2,686
Oil 170 52 118 392
Others 255 32 223 2,197
Number of Establishments
Most of the establishments in Eastern and Northern Samar belong to the Wholesale
and Retail Industry, Manufacturing and Personal Services. Hotels and restaurant
establishments outnumber Personal Services in Northern Samar while the same are
close fourth in Eastern Samar
7
NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS BY MAJOR INDUSTRY DIVISION AND PROVINCE
1997-2002
Province/ Major Industry Division 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Region VIII 21,966 22,099 21,794 21,399 21,153 21,103
Agriculture, Hunting and Forestry 99 101 119 106 100 96
Fishery 69 69 107 90 85 84
Mining and Quarrying 4 4 1 2 2 2
Manufacturing 4,109 4,109 3,803 3,698 3,641 3,634
Electricity, Gas and Water 69 73 102 62 66 67
Construction 120 126 108 80 72 72
Wholesale and Retail Trade 11,696 11,792 11,869 11,860 11,799 11,776
Hotels and Restaurants 1,800 1,804 1,937 1,906 1,894 1,892
Transport, Storage & 966 973 786 611 595 581
Communication
Financial Intermediation 403 403 391 428 411 424
Real Estate, Renting & Business 706 714 621 632 597 588
Services
Education 156 160 199 207 202 201
Health and Social Work 332 332 403 387 382 382
Other Community, Social & 1,437 1,439 1,348 1,330 1,307 1,304
Personal Services
Eastern Samar … … 1,970 1,974 1,942 1,936
Agriculture, Hunting and Forestry … … 5 5 6 5
Fishery … … 2 4 4 4
Mining and Quarrying … … - - - -
Manufacturing … … 355 353 347 347
Electricity, Gas and Water … … 8 6 4 4
Construction … … 6 6 6 6
Wholesale and Retail Trade … … 974 983 974 973
Hotels and Restaurants … … 115 114 113 113
Transport, Storage & 69 45 43 40
Communication
Financial Intermediation … … 36 67 60 60
Real Estate, Renting & Business … … 56 55 50 50
Services
Education … … 28 26 25 25
Health and Social Work … … 47 42 42 42
Other Community, Social & … … 269 268 268 267
Personal Services
Northern Samar … … 2,669 2,511 2,499 2,492
Agriculture, Hunting and Forestry … … 4 2 1 1
Fishery … … 4 4 4 4
Mining and Quarrying … … - - - -
Manufacturing … … 356 324 319 319
Electricity, Gas and Water … … 8 6 11 11
Construction … … 5 4 3 3
Wholesale and Retail Trade … … 1,682 1,601 1,596 1,592
Hotels and Restaurants … … 186 178 177 176
Transport, Storage & 139 118 118 117
Communication
Financial Intermediation … … 22 24 24 24
Real Estate, Renting & Business … … 60 62 62 61
Services
Education … … 21 22 21 21
Health and Social Work … … 41 38 37 37
Other Community, Social & … … 141 128 126 126
Personal Services
Housing
Walls made of Bamboo/Sawali/Cogon/Nipa reinforced majority or about 46 percent of

total occupied housing units in both Eastern and Northern Samar in 2000. Seventy-
one percent (71%) of the occupied housing units in Northern Samar were made of
Cogon/Nipa/Anahaw while about 52 percent was the proportion in Eastern Samar in
same year.
8
NUMBER OF OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS OF ROOF AND
OUTERWALLS AND PROVINCE/CITY
Census Year 2000
Total Type of Roof
Occupie Galvaniz Tile/ Half Wood Cogon/N Make- Asbesto Not
Province/Type of Outer d ed Iron/ Concret Galvaniz ipa/Anah shift/ s/ Reporte
Walls Housing Aluminu e/ Clay ed Iron aw Salvage Others d
Units m Tile and Half d/
Concret improvis
e ed
Eastern Samar 72,600 30,849 245 2,076 633 37,800 107 162 728
Concrete/Brick/Stone 10,323 9,614 83 147 17 448 1 13 -
Wood 15,992 10,099 63 388 408 4,997 8 29 -
Half Concrete/Brick/ 9,377 7,158 40 1,079 47 1,027 3 23 -
Stone & Half Wood
Galvanized Iron/ 483 246 5 54 15 160 2 1 -
Aluminum
Bamboo/Sawali/ 34,286 3,200 - 374 131 30,515 29 37 -
Cogon/Nipa
Makeshift/Salvaged/ 306 72 - 4 3 165 60 2 -
Improvised
Asbestos 140 78 39 6 5 - - 12 -
Glass 12 5 5 2 - - - - -
Others/Not Reported 1,596 331 8 21 6 458 2 42 728
No Walls 85 46 2 1 1 30 2 3 -
Northern Samar 93,332 20,981 328 2,496 1,175 66,512 292 330 1,218
Concrete/Brick/Stone 11,655 8,841 182 251 23 2,330 5 23 -
Wood 25,294 6,591 58 550 657 17,319 36 83 -
Half Concrete/Brick/ 9,583 4,168 55 1,357 40 3,916 12 35 -
Stone & Half Wood
Galvanized Iron/ 312 119 8 39 20 121 4 1 -
Aluminum
Bamboo/Sawali/ 43,610 1,073 - 269 412 41,670 72 112 2
Cogon/Nipa
Makeshift/Salvaged/ 684 38 - 2 2 470 159 13 -
Improvised
Asbestos 57 23 18 4 3 - - 9 -
Glass 11 3 4 2 - - - 2 -
Others/Not Reported 2,080 105 3 21 17 664 3 51 1,216
No Walls 46 20 - 1 1 22 1 1 -
A small percentage of the total housing units in both Eastern and Northern Samar
have household appliances and other home conveniences in 2000. Most of these
conveniences are radios (94 to 95%); a far second are with television sets (25 to
30%).
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN OCCUPIED DWELLING UNITS WITH HOUSEHOLD

APPLIANCES/CONVENIENCES AND PROVINCE/CITY, URBAN-RURAL
Census Years 1990 and 2000
Province/City 1990
Type of Appliances/Conveniences Total Urban Rural 2000
Eastern Samar 31,679 16,178 15,501 42,985
Radio/Radio Cassette 26,218 11,976 14,242 40,611
Television 1,179 977 202 12,748
Video Cassette/Recorder .. .. .. 6,322
Refrigerator/Freezer 1,959 1,646 313 9,400
Telephone/Cellphone 107 80 27 1,250
Washing Machine .. .. .. 4,018
Motor Vehicle 2,216 1,499 717 4,651
Northern Samar 36,416 17,799 18,617 56,453
Radio/Radio Cassette 31,022 13,534 17,488 53,968
Television 999 817 182 14,373
Video Cassette/Recorder .. .. .. 7,280
Refrigerator/Freezer 2,027 1,703 324 11,283
Telephone/Cellphone 264 232 32 668
Washing Machine .. .. .. 4,243
Motor Vehicle 2,104 1,513 591 5,741
9
Education and Literacy
Eastern Samar fared well above the regional and national indicators in terms of
education and literacy indexes.
SIMPLE LITERACY OF HOUSEHOLD POPULATION 10 TO 64 YEARS OLD BY SEX AND

PROVINCE/CITY 2000
(Number in thousands)
Province Total Women Men
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Region VIII 2,597 89.92 1,275 91.08 1,322 88.79
Eastern Samar 270 91.79 132 93.13 138 90.51
Northern Samar 346 88.33 170 89.46 175 87.25
Source: Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, National Statistics Office
In contrast, Northern Samar education and literacy indicators were below the national
and regional benchmarks. One positive development though is that Northern Samar
was the third highest in percentage of social services expenditures to total (50.1%)
among the provinces in the country in 2000.
Table 1.24
EDUCATION INDEX BY PROVINCE
1997 and 2000
Combined Enrolment Functional Literacy2 Index
Province Rate1
1997 2000 1997 2000 1997 2000
Philippines 82.9 84.5 83.79 83.79 0.835 0.840
Eastern Samar 90.7 87.2 86.25 86.25 0.877 0.866
Northern Samar 80.3 80.9 73.63 73.63 0.759 0.761
Notes:
1. Combined Enrolment Rate refers to the ratio of the sum of elementary and secondary enrolment in the
corresponding age group that should be enrolled at those levels to the sum of corresponding school age
population.
2. Functional literacy represents a significantly higher level of literacy that includes reading, writing and
numeracy skills. These skills must be sufficiently advanced to enable the individual to participate fully and
effectively in activities commonly occurring in his life situation that require a reasonable capability beyond
oral and written communication.
Source: National Statistical Coordination Board
10
II. Poverty Situation in Samar
The annual per capita poverty threshold in Region VIII was estimated at P9,518 in
2000. It increased to P10,802 in 2003, or a 13.5 percent increase. In 2000, poverty
incidence of families is 37.5 percent for Region VIII, higher than the national rate of
27.5 percent. Likewise, the 43.3 percent poverty incidence among the population in
Region VIII is higher than the 33 percent poverty incidence of population at the
national level.
Annual Per Capita Poverty Thresholds, Poverty Incidence of Families
and Population by Region: 2000 and 2003

(preliminary estimates as of 24 January 2005)
Annual Per Capita Poverty Poverty Incidence of Poverty Incidence of

Threshold (in Pesos) Families (%) Population (%)
Region
2000 Inc/Dec 2000 2000
2003 2003 Diff 2003 Diff
Revised (%) Revised Revised
PHILIPPINES 11,451 12,267 7.1 27.5 24.7 (2.7) 33.0 30.4 (2.5)
NCR 15,693 16,796 7.0 5.7 5.0 (0.7) 7.6 7.3 (0.3)
Region I 12,685 13,276 4.7 29.4 24.4 (5.0) 35.1 30.2 (5.0)
Region II 11,128 11,409 2.5 25.2 19.3 (5.9) 30.4 24.5 (5.9)
Region III 13,760 14,342 4.2 17.3 13.7 (3.6) 21.4 17.7 (3.6)
Region IV-A
13,657 14,616 7.0 15.2 14.9 (0.4) 19.1 18.8 (0.3)
(CALABARZON)
Region IV-B
11,995 12,406 3.4 36.3 39.7 3.4 45.2 47.9 2.7
(MIMAROPA)
Region V 11,372 12,354 8.6 45.3 40.5 (4.8) 52.6 48.4 (4.2)
Region VI 11,313 12,275 8.5 36.6 31.3 (5.3) 44.4 39.1 (5.3)
Region VII 9,656 9,779 1.3 31.5 23.7 (7.8) 36.2 28.4 (7.7)
Region VIII 9,518 10,802 13.5 37.5 35.5 (1.9) 45.1 43.3 (1.8)
Region IX 9,116 10,414 14.2 38.5 44.1 5.6 44.8 49.4 4.6
Region X 10,503 11,609 10.5 37.9 37.9 0.0 43.8 44.3 0.6
Region XI 10,264 11,276 9.9 27.7 28.1 0.4 33.1 34.4 1.3
Region XII 10,466 11,303 8.0 40.7 32.0 (8.7) 46.8 38.4 (8.4)
CAR 13,066 13,976 7.0 30.7 24.8 (5.9) 37.6 31.2 (6.4)
ARMM 12,192 12,739 4.5 53.7 45.7 (8.0) 59.8 53.1 (6.7)
Caraga 10,896 12,000 10.1 43.7 47.3 3.6 50.9 54.2 3.3
11
In 2003, poverty incidence in Region VIII was placed at 35.5 percent or a decrease
by 1.9 percentage points after a period of three years. However, it is still higher than
the national level poverty incidence of 24.7 percent. Similarly, poverty incidence in
Region VIII was pegged at 43.3 percent in 2003, or 1.8 percentage points lower than
the 2000 figure. It is still higher than the 30.4 percent national poverty incidence rate.
Based on the table above, Region VIII ranked seven in terms of poverty incidence of
families in 2000, with ARMM having the highest poverty incidence with 53.7 percent.
In terms of poverty incidence per population, Region VIII ranked sixth, with ARMM
still ranked first with a rate of 59.8 percent.
In 2003, Region VIII remained in rank seven although there is a slight decrease in
term of poverty incidence by families. In terms of poverty incidence by population,
Region VIII ranked seventh in 2003.
Poverty Incidence by Province, Region VIII
Incidence of
Annual Per
Poor
Capita Poverty Magnitude of Poor
Families 3/
PROVINCE Threshold 1/ Families 2/
(in
(in Pesos)
Percent)
1997 2000 1997 2000 1997 2000
Philippines 9,843 11,605 3,982,766 4,338,780 28.1 28.4
Region
8,319 9,623 299,733 278,486 39.9 37.8
VIII
Leyte 8,262 9,790 105,188 122,070 32.9 36.1
Biliran 8,626 10,072 11,877 9,975 39.6 34.8
Southern
8,194 9,674 31,389 20,856 33.6 28.5
Leyte
Samar 8,470 9,574 45,140 52,110 41.1 40.7
Eastern
8,577 9,516 51,341 35,067 58.1 47.3
Samar
Northern
8,063 9,166 54,799 38,409 49.5 40.7
Samar
NEDA Region VIII website
In 2000, annual per capita income or poverty threshold was placed at P9,516 for
Eastern Samar, P9,166 for Northern Samar and P9,574 for Western Samar. The
magnitude of poor families who fall below the poverty threshold decreased for both
Eastern and Northern Samar. From 51,341 poor families in 1997, the number of poor
families in Eastern Samar went down to about 35,067 families in 2000. This
translates to an incidence rate of 58.1 percent in 1997 to about 47.3 percent in 2000.
12
At the same time, number of poor families in Northern Samar decreased from 54,799
(49.5% of the total number of families) in 1997 to 38,409 (40.7%) in 2000.
In Western Samar, the number of poor families increased from 45,140 in 1999 to
52,110. But poverty incidence by families decreased slightly from 41.1 percent to
40.7 percent.
Based on the table above, Eastern Samar ranked first in terms of poverty incidence
in 2000. It is followed by Northern Samar and Western Samar. Leyte Province ranked
fourth with a poverty incidence rate of 36.1 percent, followed by Biliran with 34.8
percent, and Southern Leyte with 28.5 precent.
URBAN AREAS
Incidence of
Annual Per
Poor
Families 3/
Province Threshold 1/ Families 2/
(in
(in Pesos)
Percent)
1997 2000 1997 2000 1997 2000
Philippines 10,914 12,915 1,011,479 1,121,819 15.0 15.0
Region
8,860 9,969 50,416 40,661 25.0 19.6
VIII
Leyte 8,848 10,250 18,103 13,977 18.7 12.6
Biliran 8,682 9,914 1,417 1,931 18.8 27.0
Southern
8,726 10,405 5,095 4,336 28.3 31.0
Leyte
Samar 9,622 10,181 5,385 4,545 23.6 16.9
Eastern
8,845 10,317 9,209 7,715 34.1 33.6
Samar
Northern
8,672 8,844 11,208 8,158 38.2 32.4
Samar
In 2000, Eastern Samar has the highest poverty incidence by families of 33.6 percent
in the urban areas. Northern Samar ranked second with 32.4 percent and Western
Samar is fifth with 16.9 percent. Southern Leyte and Biliran ranked third with
31percent and fourth with 27 percent, respectively. Leyte had the lowest poverty
incidence rate by families of 12.6 percent in urban areas.
13
RURAL AREAS
Incidence of
Annual Per
Poor
Families 3/
Province Threshold 1/ Families 2/
(in
(in Pesos)
Percent)
1997 2000 1997 2000 1997 2000
Philippines 9,458 11,125 2,971,288 3,216,961 39.9 41.4
Region
8,204 9,562 249,317 237,825 45.4 44.9
VIII
Leyte 8,125 9,725 87,085 108,093 39.2 47.6
Biliran 8,617 10,116 10,461 8,044 46.7 37.4
Southern
8,085 9,498 26,294 16,520 34.9 27.9
Leyte
Samar 8,332 9,517 39,755 47,565 45.7 47.0
Eastern
8,526 9,277 42,132 27,351 68.8 53.5
Samar
Northern
7,879 9,250 43,591 30,251 53.6 43.7
Samar
In 2000, Eastern Samar still had the highest rate in terms of poverty incidence by
families in the rural areas with 53.5 percent. Western Samar and Northern Samar
were third and fourth with 47 and 43.7 percent, respectively. Leyte Province ranked
second with 47.6 percent poverty incidence rate by families in the rural areas. Biliran
ranked fifth with 37.4 percent and Southern Leyte ranked last having the lowest rate
of 27.9 percent poverty incidence by families in the rural areas.
1/ The annual per capita income required or the amount to be spent to satisfy nutritional requirements
(2,000 calories) and other basis needs.
2/ The number of families whose annual per capita income falls below the annual per capita poverty
threshold.
3/ The proportion of poor families to the total number of families.
4/ Has coefficient of variation greater then 10 but less than 15 percent.
14
Chapter
Community and
2 Household Profiles
I. Socio-Economic Profile of Pilot Communities
A. Eastern Samar
1. Municipality of Borongan
Demography
Population Growth 1990-2000

Year Population Ave. Growth Rate
1980 39,741
1990 44,085 1.04
1995 48,638 1.86
2000 55,141 2.56
The total population of Borongan is 55,141 (per NSO, 2001). It has an average
growth rate of 1.86 for the period 1990-1995. Average population growth rate almost
doubled for the period 1995-2000 at 2.56%.
Total Population, Household Population and Number of Households (2000)

Household No. of
Total Population % Share
Population Households
Urban 22,494 40.79% 22,200 4,417
Rural 32,647 59.21% 32,623 6,282
Total 55,141 100.00% 54,823 10,699
Majority of the residents live in the rural area. 32,647 or 59.21% of the total
population resides in the rural area. The remaining 40.79% live in the urban area.
15
Age-sex structure of the population, 2000
Age Group Both Sexes Male Female
Under 1 1563 790 773
1-4 5859 3073 2786
5-9 7231 3657 3574
10-14 6754 3432 3322
14-19 5755 3004 2751
20-24 4427 2274 2153
25-29 3792 1914 1878
30-34 3399 1732 1667
35-39 3151 1645 1506
40-44 2714 1412 1302
45-49 2197 1160 1037
50-54 1957 997 960
55-59 1699 883 816
60-64 1402 686 716
65-69 1161 547 614
70-74 926 430 496
75-79 585 267 318
80 and above 569 235 334
All ages 55,141 28,138 27,003
Percent to total 51% 49%
0-17 25,080 12,829 12,251
18 & above 30,061 15,309 14,752
There is a small difference between the male and female population. Male population
accounts for 28,138 (or 51%), while female population is around 27,003 (49%).
Distribution of Population by Age Group (2000)

Age Group Number Percent Share
0-14 21,407 38.9%
15-64 30,493 55.3%
65 and above 3,241 5.8%
Total 55,141 100.00%
In terms of distribution of population by age group, majority of the population, which

is 30,493 (55.3%), belong to the economically active population (15.-64 years of
age). Depend population is around 21,407 or 38.9% of the total population.
In 2000, educational attainment of 20 years old and above is as follows:
Number Percent Share

No Formal Education 875 3.2
Elementary School Education 9076 32.8
High School Education 7874 28.4
Post Secondary 1315 4.7
College Undergraduate 4720 17
Academic Degree Holder 3558 12.8
Post Baccalaureate 122 0.4
Not Stated 194 0.7
Total 27734 100
Majority of the population belonging to the age bracket 20 years old and above have
only acquired elementary school education, which are around 9,076 persons or
32.8%. This is followed by 7,874 persons (28.4%) who reached high school.
Academic degree holders account for 12.8% of the age group.
16
Social
Education
Borongan has a literacy rate of 99.3%, the highest in Eastern Samar. Functional
literacy was estimated at 74%. As compared with Eastern Samar, Borongan fared
better in terms of achievement rate with 70.5% as compared with the provincial rate
of 65.6. Likewise, Borongan has a higher cohort survival rate with 81.7% as
compared with the provincial rate of 66.97%.
In 2001, Borongan has 49 government elementary schools distributed in three

different districts. South District has 16 schools, North District with 21 schools and
East District with 12 schools. Missionary of Sacred Heart is the only private
elementary school in Borongan which is located in Barangay Songco.
There are six secondary schools in the municipality. Four of which are government-
owned, and two are privately-owned sectarian. Of the government-owned schools,
one is a comprehensive high school, the other one is a laboratory school, and the
other two are national high schools.
There are four tertiary institutions in Borongan. These are: Eastern Samar State
College, Our Lady of Mercy College, St. Mary’s College, and Eastern Samar Institute
of Technology.
In terms of number of classrooms, Borongan has a 354 academic classrooms and 43

non-academic classrooms in the elementary level.
Health and Nutrition

According to the two RHUs in Borongan, there is a total of 3,617 reported cases of
morbidity. The leading causes of morbidity in 2001 are URTI (with reported cases of
1,042), diarrhea (730 cases), anemia (692 cases) and Pneumonia (with 417 cases).
Leading Causes of Morbidity, 2001

Causes of morbidity Number of cases Rate per 1000 population
URTI 1042 18.89
Diarrhea 730 13.24
Anemia 692 12.55
Pneumonia 417 7.56
Hypertension 298 5.40
Parasitism 260 4.72
Influenza 91 1.65
TB 76 1.38
Measles 9 0.16
Chicken Pox 2 0.08
Total 3,617
The leading causes of mortality were pneumonia, tuberculosis, and hypertensive

vascular disease. Of the 165 cases reported fatalities, eight causes had
undetermined causes.
17
Leading Causes of Mortality
Causes of mortality Number of cases Rate per 1000 population
Pneumonia 53 0.96
Tuberculosis 28 0.51
Hypertensive Vascular Disease 26 0.47
CHDF/IHD 10 0.18
Diabetes 7 0.13
Wounds 12 0.22
Asphyxia 5 0.09
Cancer 4 0.07
Post-Partum Hemorrhage 4 0.07
Accidents 4 0.07
Peptic Ulcer 2 0.04
Meningitis 1 0.02
Vehicular Accidents 1 0.02
Undetermined 8 0.15
Total 165
In terms of government hospitals, there are two hospitals, Eastern Samar Provincial
Hospital (with 100-bed capacity) and Borongan Doctor’s Hospital (with 20-bed
capacity). There are two rural health units in the municipality and 15 barangay health
stations. There are also four private clinics operating in the municipality.
Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children, 2001

Number %
Normal 4853 54.3
Mild 2799 31.3
Moderate 720 8.4
Severe 88 1.0
Overweight 475 5.3
Total 8935 100
In terms of nutritional status, 54.3% of the 8,935 pre-school children have normal
weight. There were 720 moderately and 88 severely malnourished children. While
those who are overweight accounts for 5.3%.
Nutritional Status of Elementary Children, 2001

Number %
Normal 7,410 74.6
Mild 1,826 18.4
Moderate 261 2.6
Severe 62 0.6
Overweight 381 3.8
Total 9,940 100
In terms of nutritional status of weighed elementary children, 7,410 (74.6%) of the

total have normal weight. Moderate and severely malnourished children are 261 and
62, respectively. About 381 elementary children are overweight.
In terms of day care centers, there are 42 functional centers in Borongan in 2002.
These have benefited some 1,167 children ages 3-5 years old.
Economic
1. Agriculture and Fishery

The total agricultural land of Borongan is 12,461.90 hectares. Crops cultivated in the
municipality are rice, root crops, banana, and fruits, among others. The commercial
crops planted in the area are coconut and abaca.
18
Crops Area (has) Percent Annual Production (MT)
Rice 1541.75 12.37 5146.42
Irrigated 120.75 0.97 985.40
Rainfed 1318.00 10.57 3989
Upland 103.00 0.83 172.1
Corn 15.00 0.12 22.1
Rootcrops 1038.00 8.33 5197
Camote 476 3.82 2259.55
Cassava 227 1.82 1273.6
Gabi/Ubi 282.5 2.27 1313.9
Palawan 52.5 0.42 349.95
Legumes 34.5 0.28 46.9
Peanut 25 0.20 34.07
Mongo 9.5 0.08 12.83
Vegetables 100.05 0.8 425.94
Leafy 44.8 0.36 120.44
Fruit 55.25 0.44 305.5
Fruit Trees 146.5 1.18 1172
Pineapple 79 0.63 899.5
Banana 406 3.26 1965.1
Coffee/Cacao 22.9 0.18 30.44
Abaca 220 1.77 363.85
Coconut 8858.2 71.08 11585.34
Total 12,461.9 100.00 26,853.59
Based on the table above, main crop cultivated in the municipality is coconut, which
is planted to 71.08% of the total agricultural land, with an annual production of
11,585.34 MT. This is followed by rice that is planted to 12.37% of the total
agricultural lands, with an annual production of 5146.42 MT. This is followed by the
aggregate of root crops with a total annual production of 5,197 MT. Abaca has an
annual production of 363.85 MT.
In terms of livestock production, there are 1,281 heads of carabao, 257 cattle, 6,486
swine and 79 goats. For poultry production, there are 25,444 native chickens and
3,644 broilers/slayers. Ducks and turkey-raising was minimal with a population of 525
and 21, respectively.
Fishing is also one of the major sources of income in Borongan. In 2001, there are
1,181 full-time and 500 part-time fisherfolks. Of the full-time fisherfolks, 536 have
motorized bancas, 506 have non-motorized bancas, and the remaining 139 have no
bancas.
The total fish production in 2001 was estimated at 2,402.516 MT. Fishing areas are
the bay of the municipality and the Pacific Ocean. Deep-sea fishing is also popular
because it leads to bigger catch.
Inland fishing is undeveloped despite the presence of suitable sites for fishpond
development. The municipality has an estimated area of 55 hectares suitable for
developing fishponds. As of 2001, there were only four operators of fishponds with a
total area of four hectares.
2. Commerce and Trade

Borongan is the center of commerce and trade in Eastern Samar. Based on reports,
half of the business establishments in the province are found in Borongan. In 2001,
there were 589 registered business establishments with a combined investment of
P378.2M.
19
Number of Business Establishments by Type, 2000
Investment (P
Type No. of firms % share % share
000)
Trading 441 74.87 334,856,114 88.54
Manufacturing 28 4.75 3,844,048 1.02
Service 102 17.32 27,027,610 7.15
Others 18 3.06 12,449,988 3.29
Total 589 100 378,177,760 100
Trading dominates the business sector with 441 firms, constituting 74.87% of the
total number of business establishments in Borongan. Its total investment accounts
for 88.54% of the total investment of the business sector.
There are no large-scale manufacturing activities in Borongan. Commercial activities

consisted of bakeries, furniture and handicrafts makers, iron works and food
processors.
Borongan’s public market is located in Barangay Campesao. There are 112

registered business establishments. Bus and jeepney terminal is also temporarily
located within the area.
3. Tourism
Tourist attractions in Borongan include white beaches, caves, scuba diving sites, and
rapids. There area also existing hotels, restaurants and developed beach resorts,
among others.
4. Financial Institutions
There are four commercial banks in the municipality. Three of these are government
banks: Philippine National Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, and Development
Bank of the Philippines. Metropolitan Bank is the only private commercial bank in
Borongan. There are also two rural banks and several pawnshops operating in the
municipality.
Land Use
Existing General Land Use

Land Use Category Area (has.) % Share
Built-up area 1,156.65 1.98
Agricultural land 9,785.15 16.79
Forest area 42, 498.88 72.91
Grassland 4,373.32 7.50
Wetland/mangrove area 475.60 0.81
Total 58,289.00 100.00
Existing Urban Land Use

Land Use Category Area (has.) % Share
Residential 148.4 6.81
Commercial 7.04 0.32
Institutional 58.61 2.69
Parks, open spaces, roads 72 3.30
Swamps, marshes and mangroves 3 0.14
Agricultural 1,889 86.69
Total 2,179 100.00
The forest area accounts for 72.91% of the land area of the municipality. This is
followed by agricultural land use with around 16.79% of the total land area.
20
In the urban area, majority of the land is for agricultural use (86.69%). Followed by
residential which comprises 6.81% and parks/open spaces, which is around 3.3%.
Infrastructure
1. Water supply
Existing water system in Borongan ranges from level I to level III water system. There
is one level III water system that is operated by the Borongan Water District serving
the urban barangays only. There are 22 level II water system and 686 level I water
systems. These water systems serve 10,186 households representing 95.20% of the
total households in the municipality.
2. Roads and bridges
Inventory of Roads
Administrative Road Surface
Length (km)
Classification Concrete Asphalt Gravel Earth
National 28 6 22
Provincial 38 4 34
Municipal 17 9 8
Barangay 155 22 89 44
Total 238 41 22 131 44
Percent 100% 7.23% 9.24% 55.04% 18.49%
The road network in Borongan has a total length of 238 km. The National road is a
combination of concrete and asphalt. Major road surface of the road network in
Borongan is of gravel (55.04%).
Inventory of Bridges
Bridge Name Lenth (LM) Type
National:
1. Bugas 39.90 Concrete
2. Bayaran 24.00 Concrete
3. Balacdas 36.00 Concrete
4. Mypangdan 45.00 Concrete
5. Borongan 90.00 Concrete
6. Loom 45.00 Concrete
7. Can-obing 60.00 Concrete
8. Suribao 270.00 Concrete
Subtotal 609.90
Provincial: 12.30 Timber

1. San Gabriel Station 7 9.30 Timber
4. San Mateo Station 4 6.00 Timber
5. Bugas-Can-aga Station 0 9.00 Bailey
6. Pepelitan Station 3
Subtotal 72.00
Total 681.90
There are eight existing concrete bridges in Borongan administratively classified as

national bridges. There are six provincial bridges in the municipality, five of which are
timber and the other one is a bailey bridge.
Borongan is very accessible by land transportation from any point in Eastern

Visayas. There are two road gateways leading to Borongan, namely: Taft-Wright
Road and the South Samar Coastal Road. Several bus companies and van operators
21
serve the Borongan-Tacloban city route. There are two major bus companies plying
the Manila-Borongan route: Philtranco and Eagle Star.
Number of Land Vehicle Ownership, 2000

Type Number
Bus 25
Jeepney 94
Private Cars 143
Private Jeeps 104
Trucks 94
Tricycles 868
Motorcycles 513
Bicycles 1,372
Total 3,213
As of 2000, land motor vehicles in Borongan reached 1,841 units. Motorcycles and
tricycles are the most common with a combined number of 1,381 units. The number
of registered private cars is 143 units, and jeepneys, 104 units. There is a good
number of public utility buses, jeepneys, and trucks operating in Borongan which are
owned by local operators. The number of registered bicycles is 1,372 units.
3. Port and Airport

There is an existing airport in Borongan. It is located in barangay Punta Maria which
is about 15.5 km from the town proper. The runway is concrete with a length of
1,600 m. There are no commercial flights to the municipality and air travelers in
Borongan use the Tacloban airport.
There is a seaport in Borongan. It is classified as a subport that is located in

barangay Alang-Alang. It has a water draft of 6.8 m and a length of 203 m. Its main
use is for handling cargos coming from Cebu City and Tacloban City.
4. Communication
In 2002, there were three telephone companies operating in Borongan. These were:
Eastern Visayas Telephone Company (EVTELCO), which is a Bayan Tel company;
the government-owned Telecommunication Office; and Globelines. As of 2001,
EVTELCO had provided 825 telephone connections, while TELOF had 287
subscribers. Smart Telecommunications has a cell site located in Barangay Alang-
Alang. PLDT, Samar Tel, and Bayan Tel offer long distance call services to the
residents of Borongan.
The Philippine Postal Corporation has three post offices operating since 2001. This
includes its main provincial office in Barangay Songco. There are also private cargos
forwarding companies operating in the municipalities, namely: Aboitiz Cargo, LBC
and JRS.
There is also two AM and one FM radio stations operating in Borongan. These are
DYVW, DYES Radyo ng Bayan and the Radyo Natin FM station. GMA Network has
already put up its television facility at Barangay Songco. Two cable TV service
providers also operate in the municipality, namely: Reliance CATV and Amboy
CATV.
5.Power
The Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO) provides electricity. As of
December 2005, 50 barangays or 81.97% of all barangays in the municipality had
been connected to the power grid serving 7,848 households or 73.35% of the total
number of households in the municipality.
22
6. Flooding
20 coastal and interior barangays are flood-prone areas. However, flooding is more
severe in interior barangays specially those situated along the river banks such as
Benuangan, Baras and Pinanag-an. Flood in these areas is capable of causing
heavy damage to crops, properties and infrastructure.
7. Irrigation Systems
In 2001, the total area of irrigated rice lands is around 120.75 hectares or only 8.39%
of the potential irrigable area estimated at 1,438.75 hectares. Three communal
irrigation systems (CIS), two diversion dams, 13 shallow tube wells, two small water-
impounding projects (SWIP), and four small farm reservoirs service the irrigated
area.
8. Pre and Post Harvest Facilities

As of 2001, the following is the number of pre and post harvest facilities in the
municipality:
Type Number
Pre-Harvest Facilities
1. Plow (pcs) 203
2. Harrow (pcs) 177
3. Sprayer (pcs) 124
4. Rotary weeder (pcs) 8
5. Spade (pcs) 120
6. Hand Tractors (units) 11
7. 4-wheel Tractors (units) 4
Post-Harvest Facilities
1. Solar (MPDP) Dryer 10
2. Mechanical Dryer 1
3. Warehouses 6 (75,020 tons total capacity)
4. Rice Mill (Kiskisan, Cono) 13
5. Rice Thresher 1
6. Trucks (units) 94
Agrarian Reform
Malbog Settlement has been declared an Agrarian Reform Community covering 6
barangays. A total of 3,718.23 hectares in 30 barangays covering 3,084 farmer
beneficiaries are under the comprehensive agrarian reform program. As of 1999, the
land acquisition and distribution program of DAR has already covered an area of
1,615.91 hectares.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
Strengths
Borongan has four key elements needed to attract investors. It is very accessible
from any point in Eastern Visayas given its vast road network and existing seaport.
Communication infrastructure is established. Good peace and order situation. And
“already” existing business sectors operating in the area. In addition, there are
already four commercial banks operating in the municipality. The presence of big
business sectors and financial institutions helps project that there is a strong private
sector’s confidence in Borongan.
23
The existence of tourist sites could further help in the influx of investments and
opportunities in the municipality. These provide additional sources of income for the
community.
Weaknesses
In terms of labor force, the highest levels of education attained by the majority of
economically active population are elementary and high school levels. This could
affect the marketability of its labor force especially to investors relying on labor force
that are highly skilled and put a premium to the level of education attained.
Opportunities
Further development of its tourism industry can boost the local economy and provide
additional sources of income to the local residents.
Given the high literacy rate of the elementary children population, the LGU should
invest in improving the quality of education in public schools. This will have a positive
impact in the development of the community in the long term when this generation
are the ones running the community.
Further development of inland fishing will contribute in improving the economic

performance of Borongan. It will provide residents with additional source income. As
mentioned above, Borongan has significant number of suitable sites for fishpond
industry. This can be tapped by the LGU to further boost its economy.
2. Municipality of Guiuan
Demography
Distribution of Rural-Urban Household Population (2000)

Urban 14,562 38%
Rural 24,132 62%
Total 38,694 100.00%
Guiuan has a total population of 38,694. 24,132 of which or 62% live in the rural
areas. The remaining 38% reside in the urban area.

Year Population Increase Ave. Growth Rate
1980 30,689
1990 33,825 3,136 0.98
1995 35,447 1,622 0.88
2000 38,694 3,247 1.9
For the period 1995 to 2000, the population increased by 3,247 yielding an average
growth rate of 1.9%.
24
Population by age group and sex (2000)
Age Group Male Female Total
Under 1 619 619 1238
1-4 2322 2245 4567
5-9 2670 2709 5379
10-14 2476 2439 4915
15-19 1973 1588 3561
20-24 1393 1199 2592
25-29 1315 1200 2515
30-34 1199 1123 2322
35-39 1083 1006 2089
40-44 890 812 1702
45-49 851 774 1625
50-54 696 736 1432
55-59 658 657 1315
60-64 542 619 1161
65-69 387 464 851
70-74 348 348 696
75-79 193 193 386
80-84 116 116 232
85 & above 58 58 116
Total 19,789 18,905 38,694
Comparative Age & Economic Dependency Ratio (2000)

Total Population
Age Group Percentage
Male Female Total
0-14 yrs. Old 8,087 8,012 16,099 41.6%
15-64 yrs. Old 10,600 9,714 20,314 52.5%
65 & above 1,102 1,179 2,281 5.9%
Total 19,789 18,905 38,694 100%
Based on the table above, a total of 20,314 or 52.5% of the total population belong to
the economically active population and are part of the labor force. There is a high
dependent population that is 16,099 persons or 41.6% of the population.
Education
Elementary School Performance Indicators: SY 2000-2001

School District
Performance
Indicators
Guiuan East Guiuan North Guiuan South
Graduation Rate 99.5 99.55 99.97
Transition Rate 101.02 95.15 90.51
Participation Rate 97.07 94.04 97.93
Survival Rate 70.59 87.34 77.43
Retention Rate 100 99.4 96.83
Achievement Rate 70.71 78.12 62.81
Completion Rate 62.48 77.73 90.56
Drop-out Rate 1.05 3.0 0.99
Failure Rate 1.00 3.0 1.32
25
Guiuan has a high graduation rate of 99.5% for the Eastern District, 99.55 for the
north and 99.97% for the south district. Participation rate is also high, 97.07% for the
East, 95.15% for the North and 97.93% for the South district.
Total Enrolment, Teacher and Classroom per District: SY 2004-2005

Enrolment Teacher-
Number of Number of Classroom-
District Pupil
Male Female Teachers Classroom Pupil Ratio
Ratio
Guiuan East 2,180 2,167 120 1:36 101 1:46
Guiuan 1,523 1,433 71 1:41 64 1:46
North 1,790 1,691 88 1:39 80 1:43
Guiuan
South
Total 5,493 5,291 279
The number of pupils is still manageable given the teacher-pupil ratio of 1:36 in the
East district, 1:41 in the North and 1:39 in the South District. Likewise, at present,
there are enough classrooms to cater to the number of students, 1:46 in the East and
North districts and 1:43 in the South district.
Secondary School Enrolment By Year Level

Year Level SY 2003-2004 SY 2004-2005
First Year 1,084 1,015
Second Year 982 1,013
Third Year 1,020 981
Fourth Year 705 879
Total 3,791 3,888
The number of enrollees increased in the secondary level: from 3,791 to 3,888
pupils. However, the number of those who were in the first level in SY 2003-2004
decreased from 1,084 to 1,013. The same is true with those who were in the second
level during SY 2003-2004, from 982 to 981; and in those in the third level from 1,020
to 879.
Health Facilities and Bed Capacity, 2001

Health Facilities Bed Capacity
Government:
Southern Samar General Hospital 50
Homonhon Community Hospital 10
Private Hospitals & Clinics:
Agpalo Hospitals 17
Immaculate Conception Clinic 25
Health Station 102
Guiuan RHU (Poblacion)
Guiuan RHU II (Sulangan)
Brgy. Health Stations
Brgy. Baras
Brgy. Sulu-an
Brgy. Culasi
Brgy. Casuguran
Brgy. Surok
Brgy. Hamor-awon
Brgy. Camparang
Brgy. Sapao
26
There are two government hospitals in Guiuan and two private hospitals. There are
also two rural health units situated in the Poblacion and Sulangan, and nine
barangay health stations.
Comparative Vital Health Statistics, 2000-2003

2003
Particulars 2000 2001 2002 Male Female
Number Rate Number Rate
Crude Birth Rate 26.56 15.73 480 54% 405 46%
Crude Death Rate 4.04 2.83
Maternal Mortality 4.9 3.27 0.6
Rate
Infant Mortality 3.72 21.28 1.8
Rate
The leading causes of infant mortality rate are Pneumonia (2 cases) and
Hydrocephalus (1 case). Leading causes of maternal mortality in 1999 are Eclampsia
due to hypertension; in 2000, PP bleeding 2nd degree, Post Partum Eclampsia, and
Septic Shock 2nd degree duto cepticemia abortion; and in 2001, Pre-Eclampsia and
Puerpheral Hemorrhage.
Leading Causes of Mortality, 2003

Cause Number Rate/10,000 Population
1. Hypertension 193 6%
2. Influenza 191 6%
3. Pneumonia 138 5%
4. Diarrhea 137 2%
5. Bronchitis 85 2%
6. Chicken Pox 54 1%
7. Parasitism 42 1%
8. ARI (Acute Respiratory Infection) 31 1%
9. Bronchial Asthma 17 1%
10. Conjunctivitis 5 0.5%
The leading causes of mortality are hypertension (with 193 cases), influenza (191),
Pneumonia (with 138 cases) and diarrhea (with 137 cases)
Leading causes of morbidity are pneumonia (78 cases), MI (17) and COPD (17).
Leading Causes of Morbidity, 2003

Cause Number Rate/10,000 Population
1. Pneumonia 78 26%
2. MI (Myocardial Infection) 17 6%
3. COPD (Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease) 17 6%
4. Cancer 16 6%
5. Diabetes Mellitus 7 2%
6. Congestive Heart Failure 7 2%
7. Accidents 7 2%
8. Septicemia 4 1%
9. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever 3 1%
10. Gunshot wound 3 1%
27
Total Number of Health Manpower by Profession and Services rendered in 2001
Profession/Designation Number Percentage Share
1. Doctors 6 8.82
2. Nurses 16 23.53
3. Midwives 14 20.59
4. Med. Technicians 5 7.35
5. Attendants 11 16.18
6. Others:
a. Janitor 12 17.65
b. Laundry 2 2.94
c. Seamstress 1 1.47
d. X-ray 1 1.47
technologist
Total 68
There are six available doctors in Guiuan, who are assisted by 16 nurses. 14
midwives alternately work in the barangay health stations. The total number of health
workers is 68.
Nutrition
In 1998, Guiuan ranked third in malnutrition rate from among the 23 municipalities of
Eastern Samar. In 2002, Guiuan ranked 10. And in 2003, Guiuan ranked 15.
Improvement of the nutrition among children may be attributed to the efforts of the
LGU in the effective and efficient implementation of health and nutrition programs.
Economic
Labor force
Labor Force and Employment Status of Household Population 15 years and above
(2000)
Population 15 yrs. Old and above 20,314
Labor Force 10,547
Labor Force Participation Rate 51%
Employed 8,561
Employment Rate 42%
Unemployed 1,986
Unemployment Rate 9.78%
In 2000, the number of the economically active population is 20,314 or 52.5% of the
total population. 10,547 or 51% are in the labor force.
Agriculture
In 2001, land planted to coconut was around 5,943 hectare. Banana covers 150
hectares, while vegetables, pineapple and corn cover around 68 hectares. Rainfed
and upland palay is estimated at 13 hectares which are situated at Barangays
Homonhon and Tubabao Islands.
Root crops including cassava, camote, ubi and gabi were estimated to cover 175
hectares of land. Fruit trees have an estimated area of 87 hectares where citrus
plantation covers 15 hectares. Guyabano is planted to 10 hectares and Bread Fruit to
20 hectares.
28
Livestock & Poultry by kind, 1999-2000
1999 2000
Kind Backyard Commercial Backyard Commercial
Farm Farm Farm Farm
Livestock:
Cattle 150 198
Goat 112 128
Hog 10,570 12,530
Poultry:
Chicken 18,650 19,850
Duck 358 484
Total 29,840 33,190
The total number of livestock and poultry production increased from a total combined
29,840 heads in 1999 to 33,190 in 2000. Hog is the major the livestock production
accounting for 12,530 heads in 2000 and chicken for poultry which is 19,850 heads in
2000.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Number of Fishing Households (2000)

Percent Percent to total
Number
Distribution Households
Fulltime Fishing Households 2,569 65 36
Part-time Fishing 1,383 35 20

Households
Total 3,952 100 56%
There are 2,569 full-time fishing household (or 36% of the total households) and
1,383 part-time fishing households. This brings the total number of fishing
households to 3,952. About 608 fisherfolks have motorized boats, 384 have non-
motorized and the remaining have no boats.
Number of Fishing Boats (2000)

Type of Fishing Boat Number Percent Share
Motorized 608 61.29%
Non-motorized 384 38.71%
Total 992 100%
Authorities consider the seacoast of Guiuan as one of the best fishing belts in the
region. Guiuan is abundant with species: eucheuma, trepang, abalone, ornamental
fish, lobster, and the famous Golden Cowry (considered as a marine rarity due to its
novelty and unusual golden sheen and very expensive).
Fishing grounds are the Leyte Gulf and the Philippine Sea. Fishing season is whole
year round at the Leyte Gulf, while at the Philippine Sea it starts from March to
October.
29
In 2000, fish production reached up to 18 tons per day. Municipal fisherfolks and
seasonal commercial fisherfolks from Leyte, Mindanao and Luzon contributed to the
bulk of fish production.
Fishing is the most dominant industry and the major source of income of more than
50% of the Guiuan’s populace. Because of this, the LGU has identified the
construction of a Fishing Port as one of the development interventions that would
respond to the needs of the industry.
Fish Production By Type (in Metric Tons), 2000-2001

2000 2001
Type
Quantity % Share Quantity % Share
Seasonal Commercial Fishing 90 1.35 100 1.31
from Leyte, Mindanao & Luzon
Municipal Fishing 6,570 98.5 7,500 98.53
Aquaculture 10 0.15 12 0.16

Total 6,670 100 7,612 100
Majority of the fish production comes from municipal fishing which is 6,570 MT
(98.5% of total production) in 2000 and 7,500 MT (98.53%) in 2001.
Trade and Industry

About 452 commercial and industrial establishments registered in 2003. This
represents 23.23% of the total registered firms in the entire province. Seventy-two
percent (72%) of them are into trading, 17% are engaged in services, 7% are in
manufacturing, and 5% are engaged in other economic ventures.
Commercial Establishment, Estimated Investment & Labor Force, Per Type

Type of Labor
Number % Share Investment (P) % Share % Share
Establishment Force
Trading 330 73% 27,988,911.00 24.93% 537 46.94%
Manufacturing 36 7% 2,323,989.00 2.07% 74 6.47%
Services 72 16.74% 79,127,896.00 70.48% 493 43.09%
Others 14 2.93% 2,829,204.00 2.52% 40 3.50%
Total 452 112,270,000.00 1144
Tourism
Guiuan is blessed with numerous natural tourist attractions and is famous for its great
history. It was in Guiuan where Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in the Philippine soil.
It has significant involvement in WWII. The Municipal Tourist Council has also cited
Homonhon Island, Sulu-an Island, Tubabao Island, navy 3149 Base, WW II
Operating Base, the Immaculate Conception Church, white sand beaches and
natural rock formations.
In 2003, tourist attractions cited by the MTC: Aguing Cave, American Airport,
American Depots Remnants, Dumpao Paradise Beach, 16th Century Catholic
Church, Guiuan Church Tower, Magellan Landing Site, Pearl Island, Philippine Radar
Station, Sapao Sunrise Beach Resort, Sulangan Mecca, Sulu-an Lighthouse, Walled
Patio and Tubabao Island.
30
Infrastructure
Water system
In 2003, 6,856 households have access to potable water (90% of the total
households). Majority of these households source their water supply through level I
systems totaling to 369 units. Thirty-five (35) barangays are served by level II water
system facilities, 34 of which are beneficiaries of the Municipal Solar Infrastructure
Projects (MISP).
Road and Bridges

Guiuan has a total road network length of 208.247 kilometers administratively
classified into national, provincial, municipal and barangay roads. The main road
network of the municipality runs through the major settlements and along the coastal
areas in the mainland and the island barangays.
Existing Road Network of Guiuan, Eastern Samar

Type of Road Concrete (km) Asphalt (km) Gravel (km) Total (km)
National 5.407 5.407
Provincial 21.000 7.500 18.200 46.700
Municipal 8.790 2.100 7.200 18.090
Barangay 13.7000 124.350 138.050
Total 43.49 15.007 149.75 208.247
There is an existing bridge about six linear meters at Botong Creek in Poblacion 10.
There are also footbridges in Bungtod, Pagnamitan, Sulangan and Homonhon
Islands.
Transportation
1. Land. The total number of registered motor vehicles in the municipality was 322 in
2000. Likewise, there are buses from other municipalities, provinces and cities as far
as Manila that crosses the province going to provinces as far as Mindanao.
There are available cargo trucks to transport heavy cargoes such as copra, rice and
other cereals, lumber, cement and other construction materials to and from and
within Guiuan.
There are also jeepneys, tricycles, motorcycles and pedicabs that service the
commuting public. There are also regular trips of buses and jeepneys plying the
routes Guiuan-Borongan, Guiuan-Tacloban, Guiuan-Catbalogan and Guiuan-Metro
Manila. There are also regular trips by mega taxi going to Tacloban City via southern
coastal road.
2. Air. Guiuan has an existing airport with a 2.8 km all-weather runway, considered
by many as an engineering marvel. American Construction Battalions built it under
wartime specifications. According to reports, this vital airstrip serviced the famed 13th
Infantry Battalion during World War II.
3. Water. Guiuan has two seaports, municipal and national ports. The national port is
operational and serviceable throughout the year. Said ports are the only shipping
ports along Leyte Gulf in direct linkage with the commercial centers of Tacloban City,
Cebu City, Manila, among others.
Commuter launch are available catering to both passengers and cargoes that ply the
Guiuan-Tacloban route. There are also small motor vessels that load cargoes from
31
Cebu and Tacloban to the area. There are also fishing vessels from Leyte and
Mindanao that are loading marine products from the area to their place.
Communication
PLDT and Bayantel started operating in Guiuan in July 2004. These were additional
to the existing telephone companies operating in the municipality, namely:
TELECOM, GLOBELINES and BAYANTEL.
Smart and Globe have been operating in the municipality.
Postal service. There is one post office operating in Guiuan. It has five mail carriers
and one mail car. LBC have been operating in the municipality since the middle of
2000. it is a private company providing cargo forwarding services.
Radio Stations and Cable TV. There is one FM station operating in Guiuan and Two
Cable TV stations that are servicing the Poblacion are and its adjacent barangays.
Power
Guiuan mainland and from Calico-an Island up to Barangay Sulangan is provided
with electricity b the Eastern Samar Cooperative (ESAMELCO). It sources out its
power supply from the NAPOCOR taking its source from the Tongonan Geothermal
Power Plant in Isabel, Leyte. Island barangays are served with generators either
privately-owned or operated by the barangay council.
Strengths
Guiuan represents 23.23% of the total registered business firms in the entire
province. It has taken advantage of its accessibility to different sectors from different
provinces that are attributed to its road networks and existing two seaports.
The tourist landmarks of Guiuan help in revitalizing the local enemies. The tourists
visiting the municipality help in keeping the local businesses alive, particularly the
small businesses.
Opportunities
Guiuan is known for its richness in marine and aquatic resources. It possesses
natural tourist attractions, historical sites, shrines and landmarks. Moreover, with the
presence of active and trainable labor force and non-government organizations, the
private sector and the favorable peace and order situation, it can attract many
investors. Not to mention the accessibility of Guiuan given its existing ports, good
condition road networks and functioning airport.
The thrust of the LGU is to develop its eco-tourism, small-scale processing, trading
and services that will complement the establishment of an economic zone. The
following are some of the investment opportunities from marine and aquaculture: cold
storage, deep sea fishing, grouper fishing, lobster fishing, pearl oyster, eucheuma
and shell craft industry.
Said investments can spur local economies that will greatly contribute in the
economic growth of Guiuan. Linking with line agencies may also help in attracting
tourists and investors.
32
3. Municipality of Mercedes
Demography
Total Population, Household Population and Number of Households (2000)

Total Household No. of
% Share
Population Population Households
Urban 944 19.44% 942 186
Rural 3,914 80.56% 3,913 759
Total 4,858 100.00% 4,855 945
Majority of the population resides in the rural area that is 3,914 or 80.56% of the total
population. Only 944 live in the urban center, per NSO data.

Year Population Increase Ave. Growth Rate
1980 4,848
1990 4,505 -343 -0.73
1995 5,473 968 -3.72
2000 4,857 -616 -2.53
Based on the table above, there is a downward trend in the average growth rate of
the population; this is attributable to out-migration by the active population who are in
search of economic opportunities outside Mercedes.
Household population by age group and sex (2000)

Age Group Male Female Total
Under 1 59 42 101
1-4 238 233 471
5-9 288 296 584
10-14 335 286 621
15-19 284 245 529
20-24 213 174 387
25-29 140 162 302
30-34 157 139 296
35-39 141 120 261
40-44 103 106 209
45-49 100 97 197
50-54 107 99 206
55-59 75 82 157
60-64 80 77 157
65-69 73 65 138
70-74 50 52 102
75-79 41 33 74
80 & above 22 41 63
All Ages 2,506 2,349 4,855
% to Total 51.6% 48.4% 100%
Based on records of 2000 census on the total population, 55.63% belong to the
economically active population (15-64 years of age) and are part of the labor force.
These people are engaged in agriculture, fishery, white collared jobs, domestic help
and other jobs here and abroad. On the other hand, dependent population accounted
for 36.6%
33
Distribution of Population by Age Group (2000)
Age Group Number Percent Share
0-14 1,777 36.6%
15-64 2,701 55.63%
65 and above 377 7.77%
Total 4,855 100.00%
Education
Education and Literacy (2001)

Mercedes Eastern Samar
Basic Literacy Rate 97.4 97.2
Functional Literacy Rate 66 67.9
Mercedes’ basic and functional literacy rates are comparable to that of the provincial
average literacy rates. In 2001, basic literacy rate in Mercedes is slightly higher than
the provincial rate, 97.4% as against 97.2%. In terms of functional literacy rate,
Mercedes registered a bit lower than the provincial average rate by 1.9%.
Facilities
There are 11 public elementary schools in Mercedes. All barangays outside the
Poblacion have their own elementary school. Children in Poblacion enroll at
Mercedes Central School. Based on records, five are complete elementary
education, two are complete primary school, and four offer incomplete primary
schools.
Pre-school education is available at the Mercedes Central School. For barangays

outside the Poblacion, there are day care centers that offer the same service
supervised by the Municipal Social Welfare Office.
Mercedes has two national high schools. These are the Mercedes National High
School and the Bobon National High School. Both schools offer complete secondary
education.
Since the municipality has no tertiary school, majority of the high school graduates
enroll at the Salcedo and Guiuan campuses of the Eastern Samar State College
(ESSC). Others pursue their college education in Tacloban City, while others enroll at
the main campus of ESSC in Borongan that offers many courses.
Elementary Performance Indicators (SY 2002-2003)

Participation Cohort Survival Achievement
Retention Rate Drop-out Rate
Rate Rate Rate
Mercedes 92.26 90 76.60 74.27 0.003
Eastern Samar 93.53 68.21 88.48 65.54
Based on the table above, the proportion of school age children in Mercedes enrolled
in elementary schools in the municipality was 92.26%. This elementary participation
rate is slightly lower than the provincial average rate of 93.53%. Based on records,
Mercedes’ cohort survival rate of 90% was the second highest in Eastern Samar in
2002. Its achievement rate of 74.27% is higher than the provincial rate of 65.54%.
34
The ten leading causes of mortality and number of incidence by age group and sex in
2003 are the following:
Age M F Total
1. Cardio-Vascular Diseases 65 up 3 1 4
50-64 1 1
2. Pneumonia 15-49 1 1
65 up 2 1 3
3. Bleeding Peptic Ulcer 65 up 2 1 3
4. Koch’s Pulmonary 65 up 2 1 3
5. Cancer 65 up 1 1
6. Diarrhea 1-4 1 1
7. Hemorrhagic Shock due to stab wounds 15-49 1 1
8. Accident 50-64 1 1
9. Food poisoning 5-14 1 1 2
10. Sepsis S/P amputation 65 up 1 1
Cardio vascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Mercedes with 5 reported
cases. This is followed by Pneumonia with 4 reported cases.
Leading causes of morbidity are Bronchitis, URI and Streptococal diseases as shown
in the table below.
The ten leading causes of morbidity and number of incidence by age group and sex
in 2003 are the following:
Age M F Total
1. Bronchitis/Bronchiditis 0-11 mos. 24 18 42
1-4 57 78 135
5-14 37 42 79
15-49 16 22 38
50-64 4 6 10
65 up 6 3 9
2. Upper Respiratory Infection 0-11 mos. 13 19 32
1-4 45 51 96
5-14 33 36 69
15-49 27 52 79
50-64 8 11 19
65 up 6 10 16
3. Streptococcal Disease 0-11 mos. 4 7 11
1-4 21 29 50
5-14 21 21 42
15-49 14 21 35
50-64 6 6 12
65 up 4 2 6
4. Pneumonia 0-11 mos. 9 5 14
1-4 6 10 16
5-14 10 8 18
15-49 3 2 5
50-64 2 2 4
65 up 3 3 6
5. Hypertension 15-49 2 8 10
50-64 5 22 27
35
65 up 11 11 22
6. Diarrhea 0-11 mos. 7 3 10
1-4 10 11 21
5-14 6 6 12
15-49 1 1
50-64 1 1
65 up 2 2
7. Arthritis 15-49 3 7 10
50-64 3 7 10
65 up 5 8 13
8. APD 5-14 1 1 2
15-49 4 14 18
50-64 1 1
65 up 4 5 9
9. Amoebas 1-4 3 4 7
5-14 2 2
15-49 4 2 6
50-64 2 2
10. Typhoid 5-14 3 3
15-49 3 3
Nutritional Status
In 2002, 1,033 pre-school children were weighed. It was discovered that the
proportion of severely and moderately malnourished children reached 5.42%, an
improvement over 2001 malnutrition rate of 7.6%
Nutrition Profile of children 0-5 years old (2002)

Nutritional Status No. of 0-5 children % Share
Malnourished children 120 11.62
Severely 2 0.2
Moderately 56 5.42
Mild 62 6
Normal 913 88.38
Overweight 0 0
Total Children Weighed 1,033
Nutrition Profile of Elementary Pupils: SY 2003-2004

Nutritional Status No. of 0-5 children % Share
Malnourished children 118 14.2
Severely 3 0.36
Moderately 56 6.74
Mild 59 7.10
Normal 713 85.8
Overweight 0 0
Total Children Weighed 949
Of the elementary pupils weighed, majority (85.8%) have normal weight. Although,
there were 3 pupils who are severely malnourished and 56 who are moderately
malnourished.
36
Health Facilities
Health services are provided by the Rural Health Unit located in the Poblacion. There
is also Barangay Health Station located in Barangay Bobon. Services provided by the
RHU are maternal and childcare, immunizations, under-five clinic, nutrition services,
family planning, control of diarrhea, TB, and acute respiratory infections.
Emergency cases that require hospitalization are referred to the Southern Samar
General Hospital located in Guiuan. Cases that are more serious are referred to the
provincial hospital in the capital town of Borongan and hospitals in Tacloban City.
Health workers
In 2003, the RHU has a regular work force of 7 health workers composed of a doctor,
dentist, a nurse, two midwives, one dental aide and a sanitary inspector who is a
licensed medical technologist. They visit barangays outside the Poblacion on a
monthly basis. The two midwives alternately hold clinic at the BHS who are assisted
by the barangay health workers. There are 42 BHWs and six trained birth attendants.
BHWs serve as regular health care providers in the 11 barangay health nutrition
posts.
Social Welfare
A single social worker staffs the municipal social welfare development office.
Services provided by the MSWDO: Family Welfare Program extended in the form of
Parents Effectiveness and Responsible Parenthood Sessions and Marriage
Counseling; and community Welfare Program through social preparation to lay the
groundwork for people’s participation and develop a higher level of social awareness
and volunteerism.
In 2003, Mercedes has 12-day care centers that benefited 234 children ages 3-5 in
the 12 barangays. Trained day care workers jointly funded by MLGU and barangay
council manage the day care centers.
Households By Tenure Status of the Housing Unit (2000)

Tenure Status of the
Number of HHs Percent Share
Housing unit
Owned/Being amortized 784 83%
Rented 8 0.8%
Rent free w/ the consent 40 4.2%
of owner
Rent free w/o the consent 0 0%
of owner
Not reported 113 12%
Not applicable 0 0%
Total 945 100.00%
About 784 housing units are owned or are still being amortized by its owners; forty
(40) households are renting the land area free with the consent of the owner.
Economic
Agriculture
The economy of Mercedes largely depends on agriculture and fishery. Out of the
total area of 2,360 hectares, 2,046 hectares (86.69%) is devoted to agriculture.
Coconut is cultivated in around 1,625 has. (79.42%) and dominate Mercedes’
37
agricultural land. Corn is planted to 12.75 has. (0.62%) and root crops occupy 41.09
has. (2.01%). Other agricultural uses comprise 319.16 has. (15.6%). Mercedes has
no rice land.
Area Devoted to Agricultural Production by Major Crops (2001)

Annual Production
Crops Area (has.) Percent
(MT)
1. Coconut 1,625 95.15% 3,592.99
2. Rice: Irrigated
Rainfed
Upland
3. Corn 12.75 0.75% 38.25
4. Other Crops
Citrus 1.75 0.1% 10.5
Rimas 3.44 0.2% 27.5
Banana 13 0.76% 104
Pineapple 0.5 0.03% 3
Watermelon 0.5 0.03% 3
5. Rootcrops:
Camote 14.97 0.88% 89.82
Cassava 18.75 1.1% 150
Gabi/ubi 4.62 0.27% 32.34
Palawan 2.75 0.16% 27.5
6. Legumes: 0.25 0.01% 0.5
Peanut
7. Vegetables:
Leafy 3.5 0.21% 7
Fruit 6 0.35% 24
Total 1,706.88 100%
Coconut is the major crop cultivated in the municipality covering 1,625 hectares or
95.15% of the total land area devoted to agriculture with an annual production of
3,592.99 MT. Other crops planted by the farmers are corn and other crops.
Mercedes is along the Pacific Ocean and Leyte Gulf. It has a potential for commercial
fishing production. At present, there are no commercial fishing ventures in Mercedes.
Most of its fisherfolks lack modern fishing gears and technology.
There are 222 full-time fisherfolks and 93 part-time fisherfolks giving a total of 315
fishermen distributed in the eight coastal barangays of the municipality. 74 of them
have motorized bancas, 156 have non-motorized bancas and 85 of them have no
bancas at all. The total fish production of Mercedes was estimated at 417 MT
annually.
Some fisherfolks have recently ventured into marine fish culture, particularly grouper
using fish cages. This venture is export-oriented and is tied up with the growers in
Guiiuan for marketing support.
38
Livestock and Poultry Inventory (2001)
Livestock Poultry
Native
Carabao Cattle Swine Goat Broiler
Chicken
1 104 464 65 1,282 25
As of 2001, the total livestock production is 634 heads. Swine accounts for around
73% of the total production. Poultry production is 1,307 heads. Native chicken
accounts for more than 98% of the total production.
Trade, Commerce and Industry
Number of Registered Business Establishments (1999)

Type of business No. of Establishments %
Trading 22 66.67
Manufacturing 1 3.03
Service 1 3.03
Other 9 27.27
Total 33 100
Majority of the business establishments are into trading which is around 66%. The
slow growth of trade and industry in Mercedes may be attributed to its proximity to
Guiuan, which is the trading center in the south. It is only 8 km. away and is very
accessible through the national highway. Most residents prefer to buy at the big
stores in the commercial and shopping center in Guiuan.
Handicraft is one of the sources of income for Barangays Cabunga-an ans San Jose.
Particularly, hat and mat weaving which attracts tourists. Due to lack of promotion,
marketing and new technology, the handicraft does not flourish despite the
availability of raw materials for this industry in the barangays.
Tourism
Mercedes is a historical site being an adjacent town of Guiuan where a US Navy
Base was located during World War II. The Port Kennedy used to service big naval
and supply vessels of the US Navy. There are other historical sites in Mercedes such
as the American Fleet Hospital, American Cemetery and WWII water dam.
There are white beaches, rivers and one cave that have the potential for eco-tourism
development.
Infrastructure
Water system
Based on records of the provincial health office, Mercedes has one of the highest
potable water access in the province. In 2003, the same report shows that potable
water access was as high as 98% despite the absence of a level III water system. Of
the 1,069 households in Mercedes, 1,039 have access to safe water (as of
December 2003).
Number of Potable Water Systems (2003)

Type Number HH served
Level I 104 778
Level II 8 251
Level III
Total 112 1,029
39
Level I PWS serve majority of the households (104) and the remaining 251
households obtain their water supply using level II PWS.
Pre and Post Harvest Facilities

Mercedes has limited pre and post harvest facilities. In 2002, it has the following pre-
harvest equipments: one plow, one harrow, and two sprayers. These are located in
Barangays Busay and Sung-an. Post-harvest facilities include two solar dryers
located in Barangays Anuron and Bobon.
Road and Bridges
Inventory of Roads (2002)

Road Length Road Surface (Length in Km)
Classification Kms. % Concrete Asphalt Gravel Earth
National 16 25.36% 16
Provincial 9.10 14.42% 1 8.10
Municipal 10 15.85% 4 6
Barangay 28 44.37% 5 8 15
Total 63.1 10 16 16.10 21
Percent 100% 15.85% 25.36% 25.51% 33.28%
Majority of the road networks in Mercedes are a combination of asphalt (25.36%),

gravel (25.51%) and earth roads (33.28%). Mercedes has three concrete bridges and
one timber bridge.
Inventory of Bridges (2003)

Bridge Classification and Location Length (L.M.) Type
Buyayawon Bridge 17.90 Concrete
Cambante 8 Concrete
Sung-an 7 Timber
Cabunga-an 6.85 Concrete
Total 39.75
Number of Land Vehicle Ownership (2000)

Type Number
Jeepney (Multi-cab) 2
Private car 3
Private jeep 4
Truck 4
Tricycle 25
Motorcycle 38
Bicycle 76
Total 152
Majority of the registered vehicles in Mercedes are motorcycles (38 units), tricycles
(25 units) and bicycles (76 units). There are only a few multi-cab and privately owned
cars and jeepneys.
Port
Mercedes is the site of Port Kennedy constructed by the American Navy during
World War II. It used to serve big naval vessels of the US Navy in the adjacent
Guiuan. It is one of the historical tourist sites of the province. At present, Port
40
Kennedy is not operational. Mercedes is dependent on the municipal and sub-
national ports of Guiuan.
Power
As of February 2003, only seven (43.8%) of the 16 barangays are connected to the
power grid. The Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO) provides the
electricity to 145 households, which is 24% of the 816 potential household
consumers.
Telecoms
Mercedes has a public calling office in the Telecommunication office of DOTC. Postal
office also operates in Mercedes. Both are located in the municipal hall.
Opportunities
Rehabilitation of Port Kennedy could sufficiently provide services needed by the
proposed Guiuan Economic Zone. The rehabilitation of the port will give way to the
influx of investments in Mercedes.
Major investment opportunities and commercial venture in Mercedes are tapping the
agricultural potential for both farming and aqua-projects and tourism development.
Possible new industries in Mercedes are buko juice commercial production, coco
lumber processing, coconut shell charcoal making, and root crop processing. A host
of other micro-industries that have potentials are also present such as shell craft, hat
and weaving, coconut candy, salt and vinegar making.
Threats
The proximity of Mercedes to Guiuan, which is the trading center in the south,
hampers its economy. As mentioned above, most residents prefer to buy at the big
stores in the commercial and shopping center in Guiuan.
B. Northern Samar
1. Municipality of Lavezares
Social
Demography
Table 1.1 – Population growth from 1990-2000

Population Population Increase Percent 1990-2000
1990 2000 Increase Growth rates
Region VIII 3,054,490 3,610,355 555,865 18.2% 1.68%
Northern Samar 329,335 375,822 46,487 14.12% 1.33%
Lavezares 19,058 23,991 4,933 25.88% 2.33%
Total Number of Households: 4,691

Population Density: 176.48/sq.km.
Average Household Size: 4.49
41
Table 1.2 – Urban-Rural Population growth
Population Population 1990-2000 Percent to Population
1990 2000 Growth rates 2000
Urban 4,971 6,017 1.9% 25%
Rural 14.078 17,974 2.5% 75%
Table 1.3 – Age-sex structure of the population 1999

Age Group Female Male Total Population
1-3 1062 1202 2264
4-7 979 1075 2054
8-12 1367 1525 2892
13-16 988 1033 2021
17-20 908 973 1881
21-24 696 812 1508
25-28 608 653 1261
29-32 573 585 1158
33-36 441 456 897
37-40 425 451 876
41-44 299 318 617
45-48 297 309 606
49-52 318 320 638
53-56 277 251 528
57-60 294 301 595
61-64 169 176 345
65-68 147 133 280
69-72 116 124 240
73-76 102 85 187
77-80 75 52 127
81-84 24 27 51
85-88 28 10 38
89-92 14 10 24
93-96 2 0 2
Education
Table 2.1 – Literacy rate

Literacy Rate
Regional VIII 88.79%
Northern Samar 98.23%
Municipal Average 93.56%
There are five primary schools in the municipality. There are 18 intermediate schools,
1 secondary school and 1 vocational school. Among these schools, Lavezares
Central Elementary School has the highest enrolment for the school year 2001, with
958 enrollees for both primary and elementary level, and 284 for the secondary level.
From 1996-2001, enrolment rate has been fluctuating. This is due to the number of
dropouts due to poverty and other reasons.
Total Population and School Age Population

Of the total population, 2,623 or 12.9% belong to primary level (ages 6-9); 2,254 or
11.04% are in intermediate level (10-14); 9.97% are in secondary level (ages 15-19).
Number of Classrooms and enrollees

There are 25 classrooms for the primary level with 770 enrollees, which gives a
student-classroom ratio of 31.
42
2. Health & Nutrition
There is one rural health unit in Lavezares and six barangay health stations. The
Rural Health Center has one doctor, one midwife and one sanitary inspector. The
ratio of medical personnel as against 1995 population is as follows:
Doctor 1:22,093
Midwife 1:22,093
Sanitary Inspector: 1:22,093
There are three barangay health stations out of the 26 barangays, aside from the
main health center at the Poblacion. One midwife serves each health station.
Services provided by the municipal health officer and the midwife: general services,
minor surgery, normal deliveries and at times retained placenta, pediatrics, nutrition,
health education, internal medicine and environmental sanitation. In the Rural Health
Center, they also admit patients with diarrhea, typhoid fever, bronchopneumonia,
PTB, and asthma. However, major cases like appendicitis, caesarian operation are
referred to the district hospital.
Current services provided by the RHU are:

• Medical, minor surgery, pediatrics
• MCH: (a) Nutrition program (operation timbang, Vitamin A, iron and iodine
supplementation, and de-worming; (b) tetanus immunization to all pregnant
women; (c) clinic for children under six years of age; (d) family planning
counseling; and (e) lecture on breastfeeding.
• Control of communicable diseases: (a) expanded program immunization; (b)
TB control program; (c) ARI program; and (d) control of diarrhea diseases
• Supply of essential drugs
• Environmental sanitation: (a) construction of water-sealed toilet facilities; and
(b) clean and green program
• Araw ng Sangkap Pinoy (DOH program)
Services provided by the barangay health stations:

• MCH: (a) Nutrition program (operation timbang, Vitamin A, iron and iodine
supplementation, and de-worming; (b) tetanus immunization to all pregnant
women; (c) clinic for children under six years of age; (d) family planning
counseling; and (e) lecture on breastfeeding.
• Control of communicable diseases: (a) expanded program immunization; (b)
TB control program; (c) ARI program; and (d) control of diarrhea diseases
• Supply of essential drugs
• Treatment of communicable diseases
• Environmental sanitation
• Araw ng Sangkap Pinoy
Majority of the households, which is 996 (71.4%) do not have toilet facilities. This
poses a big problem since improper waste disposal may lead to an epidemic.
Nutrition
In 2000, out of the total number of children, 1,609 (37%) are malnourished in the first
degree. 794 (18%) are malnourished in the second degree. Moreover, around 100
(2%) are in the third degree.
Out of the 1,123 children weighed, 443 (36%) are malnourished. 363 (29%) are
malnourished in the first degree. 77 (6%) are in the second degree, and 3 (.25%) in
43
the third degree. This may be due to inadequate food intake or wrong choice of food
that makes the child susceptible to diseases.
3. Mortality and Morbidity
Based on the records of RHU, Lavezares, the leading causes of mortality are
Pneumonia (41 fatalities), Cardiovascular disease (27 deaths) and Diarrhea (25).
4. Social Welfare
Existing services provided by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office
(MSWDO) are family planning and counseling, family life, nutrition and child care,
operation and supervision of day care centers, and other child welfare programs.
Other programs by the LGU are self-employment assistance program (SEAP), food
for growth, and others.
5. Housing
Of the 4,637 households, 4,548 (98%) have their own housing units. 15 households
(0.32%) are renters, and 69 households (1.48%) occupies housing unit with owners
permission and without paying any rent.
At present, the municipality has no problem on squatting. The LGU is planning to

construct 50 low cost dwelling units for 50 depressed families under the BLISS
program by the National Housing Commission.
Economic
Employment rate is 58%. The average family income is between P2,600 to 3,000.
Other pertinent statistics:
Labor force – 12,580 (6,542-M; 6,038-F)

Employed: 6,730 (4,615-M; 2,115-F)
Unemployed: 5,850 (2,281-M; 3,569-F)
Agriculture
The total agricultural crop area of Lavezares is 8,363.3 hectares or 70.07% of its total
land area of 11,959 hectares. Agricultural land is distributed into the following:
Coconut is planted to 7,093 has. (59.36%), rice is cultivated in 1,117 has. (9.39%),
both irrigated and rain-fed areas, abaca has 153.3 has (1.32%). The area planted to
coconut is inter-cropped with some high value commercial crops (HVCC) like
banana, cacao, pineapple, pili and root crops.
Production
The Agricultural area of Lavezares is around 76,946,170.15 sq. m. This is divided as
follows:
Type Area (in has.)

Rice field: Irrigated 139
Rainfed 995
Coco area 7,093
Abaca 153.03
Grassland 519.6
Shrubs 653.9
Fishpond Area 261
Forest 487.7
Mangrove 1,325.1
Built-up Areas 66
Nipa Area 218.9
44
Riceland has an average yield of 90 cavans per hectare. At present, there are 2,460
rice farmers. The sharing scheme between landowner is 50-50.
Rice production is at 1,619.9 MT per cropping. Coconut production is at 6,853,770

MT per year.
Livestock production are as follows: cattle,17 heads; carabao, 320 heads; and swine,
2,5000.
Marine fish production is pegged at 1.5MT per month.
3. Commerce and Trade

There are 57 retail stores, located mostly in the Poblacion. Some stores are selling
spare parts of motorcycles and bicycles. Majority of the stores are engaged in sari-
sari commodities that cater to the needs of the public. There are 22 general
merchants and copra dealers (four are in the Poblacion).
There is an existing public market in the Poblacion. There are 22 business

establishments in Lavezares.
At present, Rural Bank of Lavazares is the only existing banking institution in the
municipality.
Infrastructure and Utilities Sector
Water Supply
Sources of potable water in the municipality are dug wells (which covers 1,695 HH),
tubod/piped walls (which covers 1,162 HH), upspring and faucets tapped from
community water system units with 368 HH.
Artesian wells are also located in Barangays Ocad, Sabang-Tabok and Caragas.
Electric water pumps are in Barangays Ocad and Caragas. The developed Sigad
spring is located in Barangay Ocad.
Roads and Bridges

Lavezares is along the national highway connecting to the capital town of Catarman
and Allen, and stretches to Tacloban. The concrete highway from Enriqueta to Brgy
Libas is around 13 km, with five concrete bridges.
The following are the existing farm-to-market roads found in the barangays:
1. Villa Hermosa – Libas Feeder Road (2 km, w/ 2 concrete bridges and 2
wooden bridges)
2. Villa – Libas Road (2 km)
3. Villa – Balicuatro Road (1.5 km w/ 1 wooden bridge)
4. San Miguel – San Jose – Datag – Salvacion Road (9 km w/ 3 concrete and 3
wooden bridges)
5. Mac Arthur – Toog Road (6.5 km w/ 2 wooden bridges)
6. Enriqueta – Chansvilla Road (3 km w/1 wooden bridge)
7. Libertad – San Agustin Road (4 km w/ 2 wooden bridges)
8. Urdaneta – Barobaybay Road (3 km w/ 2 wooden bridges)
9. San Miguel – Barobaybay Road (3 km)
The 26 barangays of Lavezares already have existing concrete pavements but some
still need completion or concreting.
45
Seaports.
Wharves are in the following coastal barangays: Bani, Magsaysay, San Isidro,
Maravilla, San Agustin, San Juan and Villa.
Power
Thirteen (13) of the 26 barangays of Lavezares are already connected to the power
grid. Electricity is distributed by NORSAMELCO. Around 789 HH in the rural area
and 303 HH in the urban area still need to be connected to the power grid.
(NORSAMELCO, 2001)
Communications
Existing service provider for telecommunications are TELECOM and PT&T. The
Philippine Postal Corporation also operates in Lavezares.
Priority Infrastructure Projects

1. Construction of irrigation facilities at BALIMASAMIN area
2. Road improvement/concreting along San Miguel-San Jose-Datag-Salvacion
Road
3. Road concreting along San Miguel-Barobaybay-Urdaneta Road
4. Road concreting along Libas-Villa Road
5. Construction of potable water facilities at the Poblacion
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
Strengths
Health
• Lavezares has more medical workers than what is required. The present number
of medical manpower is still well within the standard having a population of
21,399 (1990)
• Lavezares has vast resources of water that may be tapped.
Weaknesses
Education
• Not enough classrooms
• Lack of teachers for both elementary and secondary level to cater to the growing
population of students
• Traditional teaching-learning methods in the school
Economic
• Not enough space (bigger area) for commercial establishment to cater to the
needs of the growing population especially in the following industries: fishing,
agriculture and other marine products
• Lack of access to the public market
Infrastructure
• Lavezares does not have a waterworks system. However, most barangays are
sourcing out their water from wells, springs, and community water system (such
as jetmatic water pumps and faucets).
46
Opportunities
• Existing government line agencies that can provide basic socio-econ assistance/
services: BFAR, DA, TESDA and DTI, among others that could help develop
agriculture and cottage industries in the municipality.
• Provision of more classrooms, additional teachers for both elementary and
secondary levels and more school facilities, and the shift from traditional
teaching-learning methods to more advanced techniques (e.g. adopting computer
technology) are priorities of the DECS Regional Office, Division Office, and the
Office of the Principal-in-Charge of the District for the next ten years.
• Intensify nutrition and health education to improve knowledge, attitudes and
practices of mothers on childcare and feeding practices particularly on breast-
feeding, and proper choice of food.
• The LGU has already tied up with DOH implement its program from 2002-2010.
This include provision of medicine and medical equipments, MCH program,
health education, Family Planning program, National tuberculosis program, dental
program, among others.
• Existence of other institutions such as socio-religious, economic and civic-minded
groups may be tapped for additional funding for the construction of day care
centers in other barangays.
Threats
• Geology, flooding hazards and erosion potential area (around 5,404 has. are
severely eroded) contributes to the deterrent of its socio-economic growth.
• Municipality’s development is constrained by its rugged and hilly terrain.
• Although the municipality is rich in natural resources, marine products and tourist
spots, it cannot be developed due to:
o Distance from the capital town
o No available investors interest/attracted due to geographical location
o The municipality is along the side of San Bernardino Strait, which is a
“turbulent wavy area” within the Pacific side
• Although the area is a rich fishing ground, its weather condition during the
northeast monsoon months does not allow fishing
2. Municipality of Mondragon
Social
Demography
Distribution of Rural-Urban Household Population (2000)

Urban 8,461 30.11%
Rural 19,637 69.89%
Total 28,098 100.00%
Mondragon has a total population of 28,098. Majority of its population reside in the
rural area which is 19,637 or almost 70%. Based on records, from 1990 to 2000,
population in the urban grew by 1.546%, from 7,248. Likewise, rural population from
1990 to 2000 grew by 3.4% from 14,115.
47
Year Population Ave. Growth Rate
1980 20,423
1990 21,399 0.47
1995 25,504 3.35
2000 28,098 2.10
For the period 1995 to 2000, the population increased by 2,594 or an average growth
rate of 2.10%.
In 2000, Mondragon has 5,301 households, 3,705 (69.89%) of which are in the rural
areas.
Education (N. Samar)
Northern Samar has a simple literacy rate of 89.92% as of 2000. The teacher-pupil
ratio in elementary is 1:43 and 1:37 for high school. The classroom-pupil ratio is 1:31
for both elementary and high school levels.
Health (N. Samar)
In 1995, Northern Samar has infant mortality rate of 66.45. It has a child mortality
rate of 31.79, which is slightly higher than the regional rate of 30.22. Maternal
mortality rate is 185.05, lower than the regional rate of 189.76.
Economic
Agriculture
Mondragon has a total land area of 28,890 hectares, 13,169.70 has of which is
devoted to agriculture. Coconut, rice and other cash crops are commonly cultivated
in the area. It has a vast plain level slightly rolling to hilly portion. Plain or level areas
include the Poblacion to the eastern and northern portion that are primarily devoted
to lowland rice, coconut and other cash crops. Planted in slightly rolling areas are
abaca, coconut bananas and fruit trees. Rolling to hilly terrain is associated with
commercial forest in most areas in the western about five (5) to 10 kilometers from
the road network
Coconut is the major crop cultivated in Mondragon. It occupies a land area of 6,693
hectares. Abaca is planted in 3,900 hectares of land area. Root crops, which include
camote, palawan, gabi, and bagong, among others cover a total land area of 85
hectares. It has an annual production of 340MT.
Fishing
Fishing is the usual activity in the Makiwalo Gulf. Major Marine Products are tuna
fish, galunggong, coral fishes, crabs, shrimps, lobsters, oysters and seashells.
AGRICULTURAL FISHERY MODERNIZATION PLAN

1. Provision of Post Harvest Facilities thru the Department of Agriculture the
following;
a. Hand Tractors
b. Rice Threshers
c. Multi-purpose Drying Pavement
48
2. Establishment of Irrigation System thru DA
a. Small Farm Reservoir

b. Shallow Tube Wells
3. Upgrading of Seeds thru the used of Certified Seeds-an increase of 10-15 cavans
per hectare from farmer
4. Use of Post Management System
5. Improvement of Livestock Breed
6. Implementation of Coastal Resource Management Program thru:
a. Organization of Brgy Fishery and Aquatic Resource Program

b. Organization of Fish Warden
c. Establishment of Fish Sanctuary
d. Establishment of Fish Shelter
Livestock and poultry

Livestock production in Mondragon includes carabao (2,500 heads), cattle (75
heads), and goat (50 heads). The total poultry production is around 19,000 heads.
Mineral Resources
Mineral resources found in Mondragon includes spring water, sand and gravel,
boulders and other aggregate (like pebbles)
Forest Resources
Forest area covers 13,411.50 hectares. Timber, rattan and wild fruits such as kalapi,
rambutan, and ubod, are commonly found in the forest areas.
Other land uses

Open grassland covers 403.10 hectares. Swamps in Mondragon has a total
combined area of 1,646.70 has. Total area of open water spaces is around 123.43
has.
The following is the breakdown of land use in the municipality: food crop
development zone is devoted to around 2,220 hectares; agri-tourism, 200 hectares.;
high value crop, 1,500 hectares; agro-industrial, 8,655 hectares; pasture/livestock
1,010 hectares; agro-forestry, 1380 hectares; fishing, 1369 hectares;
forestry/watershed, 11,021 hectares; and built-up areas 932 hectares.
Trade and Industry

There are 10 rice mills, welding shops, cottage and home industries, tailoring,
dressmaking, furniture making, hollow block making, oil milling, car making,
hammock, basketry, and bakery.
Other establishments include: 20 sari-sari stores, three copra traders, one pharmacy,
two eateries, three slaughter houses (carabao), and four bakeries.
Tourism
The territorial limit of the municipality is defined by the following boundaries, about 16
kilometers of irregular shorelines with its fine beaches and rich corals in the north.
49
Another interesting feature of Mondragon is the Cyrstal Mountain that could be a
tourist spot.
3. Municipality of San Jose
Social
Demography
San Jose has a population of 4,933 that accounts for 14.12% of the total population
of the province. For the period 1990-2000, the population of San Jose grew by 2.33%
Population growth from 1990-2000

Population Increase Percent 1990-2000 2001
2000 Increase Growth population
rates
Region VIII 3,610,355 555,865 18.2% 1.68%
Northern 375,822 46,487 14.12% 1.33%
Samar
San Jose 13,901 4,933 25.88% 2.33% 14,186
Age-sex structure of the population

1995 2001
Age Both Sexes Male Female Both Sexes Male Female
Group
Under 402 213 189 454 240 214
1
1-4 1522 790 732 1720 893 827
5-9 1740 916 824 1966 1035 931
10-14 1637 872 765 1850 985 865
14-19 1379 733 646 1558 828 730
20-24 1010 493 517 1141 557 584
25-29 925 473 452 1045 534 511
30-34 779 390 389 880 441 439
35-39 637 316 321 720 362 358
40-44 561 302 259 634 341 293
45-49 453 238 215 512 269 243
50-54 410 196 214 463 221 242
55-59 382 172 210 432 194 237
60-64 273 143 130 308 161 147
65-69 172 76 96 194 86 108
70-74 122 54 68 138 61 77
75-79 77 33 44 87 37 50
80-84 49 19 30 55 21 34
85 and 26 7 19 29 8 21
above
Total 12556 6436 6120 14186 7274 6911
Based on Table above, there are more males than females residing in San Jose. Sex
ratio is 1:05 male for every female.
50
In terms of economic dependency, youth groups’ ages 0-14 years old totaled to
5,989 constituting 42% of the total population. The elderly population ages 65 years
old and above totaled to 496 that is about 4% of the total population. Therefore,
majority of the population belong to the labor/working age group.
School age population is 38% of the population. Ages 6-12 years old constitute 19%
of the total population. 13-16 years old is around 9% of the population, and 17-21
years of age is around 10%.
Of the school age population, 49% are population ages 6-12 years old, 25% are ages
13-16 years old, and 26% are ages 17-21 years old.
Population 5 years Old and Above by Highest Grade Completed

Highest Grade Completed Population (1995) Population (2001)
No grade completed 1,141 1,289
Pre-School 269 304
Elementary Education 6,013 6,793
Primary (3,349) (3,783)
Intermediate (2,264) (3,010)
High School Education 2,238 2,528
Undergraduate (1,420) (1,604)
Graduate (918) (924)
College Graduate 438 495
Academic Degree Holder 427 482
Post Baccalaureate Degree 8 9
Not stated 32 36
Total 10,632 12,012
Urban-Rural Population
2000 2001
Population HH Population Population HH population
Urban 6,997 1,413 7,140 1,428
Rural 6,904 1,358 7,046 1,409
Total 13,901 2,771 14,186 2,837
There is a little difference between those who living in the urban and rural areas. In
2001, the number of urban settlers is around 7,140 as compared with those residing
in the rural area that is 7,046.
Education
There are 12 government elementary institutions in San Jose, 1 government high

school and 1 private academy run by the Raparatrix sisters. However, because San
Jose is contiguous to open seas, roofing materials of several structures continue to
deteriorate.
51
Mortality and Morbidity
Table - Fertility, Mortality and Morbidity Rates (2000)

General
Crude Birth Rate Mortality Medicare
Consultation
Population
Infant Young
Maternal
Number Rate Death Mortality Child Number Rate
Mortality
Mortality
14,633 442 30.2 57 3.89 6 13.57 8 2.84 0 10.71 13.19
In 2000, causes of deaths to 1 to 4 years old are: shock to secondary to hemorrhage

and severe traumatic injuries (1 male, 3 years old); Bronchopneumonia (4 males,
ages 1-3 years old); Infectious diarrhea (1 female, 1 yr. old); Gastroenteritis (1 male,
1 yr. old); and Meningitis (1 female, 3 yrs. Old).
In 2000, the ten leading causes of mortality are: CVA Hypertension, Kock’s
Pulmonary, Congestive Heart Failure, Bronchopneumonia, Pneumonia, Drowning,
Cardiac Arrest, Acute Gastroenteritis, Cancer and Schistosomiasis.
Nutrition (weight and nourishment)
Table - Frequency and Degree of Malnutrition(2000)

Number and Percent of Malnourished Children
1st degree 2nd degree 3rd degree Total
No. % No. % No. % No. %
San
632 4.3 205 0.03 18 0.12 855 5.8
Jose
Around 632 children are found to be malnourished in the 1st degree that is 4.3% of
the total population. About 205 (0.03%) are malnourished in the 2nd degree and 18
are already in the third degree.
One central rural health unit is located in the municipal hall compound serving all the
16 barangays. Two barangay health stations are located in Barangays Geratag and
San Lorenzo. Both are catering to the needs of near-by barangays.
Health Programs:
1. Expanded program on immunization (from live birth to 1 year immunization)
2. Disease Surveillance
3. Control of acute respiratory infections
4. Control diarrhea diseases
5. Micro-nutrient supplementation/nutrition
6. Family Planning
7. Tuberculosis Control Program
8. STD/AIDS
9. Environmental Health and Sanitation Program
10. Cancer Control Program (Cervical Cancer Screening Program)
52
Households by Usual Manner of Garbage Disposal
Usual Manner of Garbage Disposal No. of HH %
1. Picked up service garbage trucks/carts 75 3.11
2. Dumping in individual open pit (not burned) 330 13.72
3. Burning 220 9.23
4. Composting
5. Burying
6. Feeding to animals 192 7.98
7. Others
Around 1,545 (64.21%) have water sealed, sewer/septic tank used exclusively by the
household.
In 2001, San Jose has one PHN, one dentist, 3 RSI, 1 Medical Technician and 16
BHWs.
Social Welfare
There are 13 child day care centers for ages 3 to 6 years old. There are 10 PAG-ASA
(Youth Associations of the Philippines) serving the development of disadvantaged
youth and out-of-school-youth. There are 14 women’s organizations established in
different barangays. In addition, there are 14 Senior Citizen’s Organizations in San
Jose.
Housing Sector
Housing Units Occupied and Vacant (2000)

Housing Units
Occupied 2,505
Vacant 160
Total 2,665
Owner HH & Occupied Housing Units by Tenure Status of Lot

Being
Total Owner Being
Occupied for
Area HH in Owned/ Occupied for
Rented free w/o
Classification occupied Amortized free w/ consent
consent of
Housing Unit of owner
owner
Urban 1,018 420 53 493 52
Rural 1,455 380 113 927 35
Total 2,473 800 166 1,420 87
As of 2001, 1,507 households or 60.94% of the total households are squatters. This
means that they constructed their houses with or without the consent of the
landowners. About 20% of the total HH purchased or amortized their occupied lands,
9% represent housing units constructed their dwellings by hiring skilled workers, and
0.6% represents housing units that were inherited.
The following is the sources of financing of HH who had purchased/constructed their

housing units:
• 91.8% constructed at their own resources
• 1.2% constructed w/ govt assistance (GSIS, PAG-IBIG, SSS & DBP)
• 3.4% assisted by other sources (not specified)
• 99% constructed w/ the assistance of employees.
53
Economic
Table – Population 15 years old and above by employment status

In the labor force Not in the
Age Group Population
Employed Unemployed labor force
15-80 years
8,195 4,045 954 3,196
old and above
The labor force of San Jose is around 58% of the total population. Of the total labor
force, 49% are employed, 12% are unemployed, while 39% are not in the labor force.
Agriculture
Of the total 556 hectares of Riceland, only 55 has. are irrigated. That is why palay
production of San Jose is not high.
Intercropping between coconut plantations is minimal. San Miguel Corporation,

Cargyl Philippines and Granexport buy copra.
Livestock is availed by farmer through dispersal program of the national government.
San Jose has vast marine resources. However, due to the absence of a functional
ice plant for preservation purposes, the municipality cannot fully maximize it.
Commerce and Trade

There are 200 business establishments in San Jose, 111 of which are in the
poblacion barangays and 89 are in the adjacent barangays. There are 19 types of
business establishments in the municipality. There are 132 sari-sari stores in San
Jose. There are seven copra dealers and three big copra-buying stations. There are
13 passenger jeepney operators. There are seven general merchandise stores, six
dry goods store and eight restaurants and refreshment parlors. Other commercial
establishments include one pharmacy/drug store, one lumber dealer, six welding
shops, one cable TV station, one FM station, three video houses and two
construction firms.
Industry
Kind of Establishment Number

1. Bakery 5
2. Rice Mills 3
3. Concrete Products 2
4. Ice Plant 1
5. Construction Firm 2
Total 13
There are native food makers in San Jose. Their products are cakes, leche flan and
pastries, which can be found in the Poblacion. There are also puto and suman sold in
the rural areas within the poblacion.
The ice plant in Barangay Balite is no longer operational.
54
Infrastructure
Water system
There is an existing water system in Barangays Mandugang, Bonglas and
Tubigdanao. However, these are no longer operational.
The only sources of potable water in the whole municipality are pumps (manual and
motor-driven) and shallow wells.
An existing San Jose Water District delivers potable water to all barangays. It
implementing, in coordination with LGU and LWUA, water works project (level III,
phase 1) that will cover 12 barangays.
Transportation
The road network in the San Jose has a total length of 29.431 km, which is
comprised of national, provincial, and barangay roads. Almost all municipal streets
are concrete. Considerable portion of the provincial road is also paved.
The national highway that passes through San Jose has a total length of 7.466 km
(concrete pavement). It starts from Barangay Geratag and ends at Brgy. Dao. There
are three bridges along the highway with a total length of 89 m and two reinforced
concrete box culverts with a total length of 18 m.
The total length of the provincial road is 14.8 km that stars form San Jose to San
Lorenzo road from junction to Mandugang and Bongals roads.
There are 14 existing bridges along barangay roads.
The port of San Jose has a deep harbor (32 fathoms). It is protected by its
surrounding islands from the open sea. It is categorized a national harbor and its port
facilities are used for loading and unloading passengers and cargoes. It can become
an international port.
Having abundant supply of fish, the public market of San Jose caters to neighboring
municipalities for their fish-meat demands. There are existing stalls both for dry and
wet products. Adjacent to the market is a slaughterhouse and public toilet. The
market stands improvement due to space constraints.
There is an existing bus and jeepney terminal and parking facilities in San Jose. It is
located in Barangay North. It has a capacity of 20 light vehicles.
Communication
PLDT, RCPI, Bayantel, National Telecommunications Office and Globe
Telecommunication provide telecommunication services. ISLACOM has already
invested in the municipality. Its structures are already ongoing construction.
The Philippine Postal Corporation is also operating in San Jose.
As mentioned above, there is one FM station operating in San Jose, located in Brgy.
Balite. It broadcasts in Lavezares, Rosario, Biri and Bobon. There is also an existing
cable network (South Cable TV) located in Brgy. East that airs 10 TV stations and 1
local TV station.
55
Power
Power supply is provided by NAPOCOR through Northern Samar Electric
Cooperative (NORSAMELCO). Power source is from Tongonan, Leyte. It can supply
power requirements of the entire Region VIII, Cebu and part of Luzon.
At present, power is supplied 24 hours, except during typhoons that interrupt it by

power tripping along Catarman-Lope de Vega-Calbayog City Section.
As of 2001, 14 barangays are already connected to the power grid, with 1,069
registered households, 940 of which is composed of residential consumers. The
remaining 129 are commercial and institutional consumers.
Drainage and Sewerage

There is an existing 1.23 km drainage system in the urban area. From 1997 to 2000,
flash floods were experienced during the months of August to November. This was
due to the combination of high tide and heavy rains brought by monsoon.
Strengths
Promotion of eco-tourism is one of the priorities of the LGU. This can give way to
influx of additional investments in the municipality. This could also help boost the
local economy.
The LGU sees the need for the conduct of skills and capability-building trainings to
make them more development-oriented and remove their pessimism.
Weaknesses
The occurrence of flash flood does not only hamper economic activity in San Jose
but also prevents it from attracting investors.
The attitude of the residents toward management of the coastal resources could
significantly affect the supply of marine resources of the community in the long run.
This may be aggravated by their wrong garbage disposal practices along Geratag
River that cause trash to clog along the coastline.
Years of inaction by the LGU in improving the port has left the place with a few
entertainment and food service facilities. At the same time, lack of private sector
participation and the competition among the bus and trucking companies has
diverted passenger ships to other ports.
Opportunities
With the entry of ISLACOM (SMART) in the area, landline telephones will be
operational in a year’s time. Cellular phone service by SMART will also augment
costly antenna installations by private individuals.
The existing port is of international caliber. The development and expansion of the
San Jose Port may give way to the influx of tourism, and influx of investments (both
commercial and industrial) in San Jose. The expanded port will be able to
accommodate huge shipping vessels. This can even help the municipality to become
one of the centers of commerce and trade in the region.
The existence of a beach in San Jose could help, simultaneously with the expansion
of the port, attract tourists in the municipality that could help boost the local economy.
At the same time, the continuous effort of DENR is advantageous in restoring the
coastal resources of San Jose. DENR has played a major role in establishing
fishponds in Dao Bay and plantation of mangroves at the same time.
56
With the partnership between the LGU and University of Eastern Philippines, training
of farmers on scientific farming will be introduced through a diploma in agriculture
technology. This could help them increase their productivity. Model farms shall be
implemented which will further enhance their skills.
With the assistance of NHA and other government lending institutions, agreements
between squatters, landowners and the government to acquire the concerned lands
based on latest zonal valuation is afoot. The squatter-beneficiary of the program shall
amortize in return.
57
II. Household Profiles
A. Basic Information
A total of 1,061 respondents in the pilot municipalities were surveyed, 55.8 percent or
593 respondents from the Eastern Samar and 44.1 percent or 468 respondents from
Northern Samar. In each of the municipalities, respondents were taken from the
urban (29% of total respondents) and rural areas (71%). Respondents from the
urban and rural areas were further classified as coming from poor and non-poor
households. About 50.23 percent of the total respondents are from poor households
while 51.21percent come from non-poor households.
Number of Respondents / Head of Households

Surveyed Areas Urban Rural
Poor Non Poor Total Poor Non Poor Total
Eastern Samar 593 47 55 102 243 248 491
Borongan 330 21 22 43 144 143 287
Guiuan 225 24 29 53 83 89 172
Mercedes 38 2 4 6 16 16 32
Northern Samar 468 36 166 202 207 59 266
Lavezares 157 10 27 37 98 22 120
Mondragon 201 15 115 130 71 0 71
San Jose 110 11 24 35 38 37 75
TOTAL 1061 83 221 304 450 307 757
100% 8% 21% 29% 42% 29% 71%
Notes:
a. 95% confidence level at confidence interval of 4 (sampling range of 1 to 3%)
b. Annual per capita income threshold for Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) is P9,623 or P48,115 a year for a family of 5.
This was used to determine poor and non-poor respondents. Urban and rural annual per capita threshold is P9,969
And P9,562, respectively. [Source: NEDA Region 8, 2000]
c. Urban and rural barangays were determined using National Statistics Office criteria
d. Household survey was administered from undertaken from 8 February to 15 May 2005
B. Demographic Profile
Respondents (representative for the household)
Gender
Of the total 1,061 respondents interviewed to represent the household, 71 percent

were female and 29 percent were male.
Total 1061
Male 308 29%
Female 753 71%
58
Age and Civil Status
About half of the respondents come from the age range of 31 to 50 years old, while
33 percent of the respondents are aged 51 years old and above as of the time of the
survey. Ninety two percent or 971 of the respondents are married.
Age Range No %
Less than or equal to 20 12 1%
21 to 30 149 14%
31 to 40 274 26%
41 to 50 272 26%
51 to 60 179 17%
61 above 166 16%
No response 9 1%
1061
Status No %
Married 971 92%
Single 24 2%
Separated 7 1%
Widowed 54 5%
Blank 5 0.47%
1061 100%
C. Socio-Economic
Educational Level
About 73 percent of the respondents have reached high school and elementary
education. Only 22 percent of them have reached or finished college.
Educational Level No %
College 232 22%
High School 386 36%
Elementary 397 37%
Vocational 9 1%
NA 37 3%
1061 100%
Occupation
About 43 percent of the heads of households/respondents (456) are preoccupied

with housekeeping, 18 percent (187) farming/fishing, 43 percent (158) registered
“other occupation” and 9 percent (92) of the respondents are government/barangay
officials or employees. Six percent or 66 persons are engaged in business or buy and
sell and 4 percent or 38 are teachers.
59
Occupation No %
Farming/Fishing 187 18%
Govt/Brgy Official/employee 92 9%
Businessperson/buy & sell 66 6%
Teachers 38 4%
Crafts/Skilled work 12 1%
Sari-sari store 41 4%
Housekeeping 456 43%
Others 158 15%
No response 11 1%
1061 100%
Household membership, size, age, and pre-occupation
The average household size of the respondents is 5.7 members. Males outnumber
females at the first five members of the household. The average age range (from
oldest member of the household to the youngest) is 14 years old to 20 years old.
The predominant occupation of the household members is as follows in the following

order of frequency: student (membership groups 1 to 4), non-farm workers, farming
and assorted occupations. The frequency of the pre-occupation of the 5th household
member is usually “jobless”, “stand-by”, retired, and senior citizen.
Household size, membership and age

HH member 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Total (2 prov, 6 mun)
Average Household size: 5.73
Average Age 20.02 17.93 16.57 15.81 15.14 14.37 14.37 15.12 14.35 14.57
Total No. 973 880 741 585 434 290 185 100 46 20
Male 511 452 383 295 218 144 90 44 22 10
Female 462 428 358 290 216 146 95 56 24 10
Predominant occupation 1. Student (College, high school, elementary) in membership groups 1 to 4
(in order of frequency): 2. Non-farm worker (frequent in membership groups 1 to 5)
3. Farming and assorted occupations
4. 5th HH member up are: jobless, "stand-by", retired, senior
citizens
N. Samar
Average Age 20 18 17 17 17 17 18 20 21 18
Total No. 424 377 301 226 169 116 67 39 15 4
Male 221 195 163 113 87 57 29 19 6 1
Female 203 182 138 113 82 59 38 20 9 3
E. Samar
Average Age 20 18 16 15 14 13 12 12 11 14
Total No. 549 503 440 359 265 174 118 61 31 16
Male 290 257 220 182 131 87 61 25 16 9
Female 259 246 220 177 134 87 57 36 15 7
60
Ownership of Real Properties
Of the total 1,049 respondents who responded on the question on real properties, 86
percent or 903 have at least one real property or asset. The dominant type of property
identified is house and lot and majority of them inherited these properties. The average
age of these properties is 17 years (acquired in the late 1980s). The average fair market
value of the assets P114,346.
Those who possess second properties number about 289 or 28 percent and these
are mostly agricultural land planted to rice/coconut with an average worth of
P155,403. Forty-nine (49) respondents or 4.7 percent have three properties. Only 0.5
percent or 6 households reported that they have 4 real properties.
Real Property 1
Yr Acquired Mode of Average Fair
(modal year Acquisition
Total n Market Value
among samples)
No w/ Prop Dominant Type
Eastern Samar
Borongan
Urban
Poor 21 21 House & Lot 1987 90% inherited 21,933
Non Poor 22 22 House & Lot 1990 80% inherited 71,579
Rural
Guiuan
Urban
Non Poor 29 25 House & Lot 1990 90% purchased 172,527
Rural
Mercedes
Urban
Poor 2 2 House 1993 100% purchased 35,000
Non Poor 4 4 House & Lot 1998 100% purchased 58,750
Rural
Poor 16 15 House & Lot 1992 80% owned 34,867
Non Poor
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Urban
Poor 10 9 Rice, coco land 1995 62% inherited 29,167
Non Poor 27 20 House & lot 1987 43% inherited 116,154
Rural
Poor 98 77 House & lot 1988 33% inherited 113,093
Non Poor 22 18 House & lot 1986 60% purchased 266,923
Mondragon
Urban
Poor 15 14 House & lot 1991 50% purchased 25,091
Non Poor 115 112 H&L, Rice, Coco 1982 61% purchased 705,725
Rural
61
Non Poor - - - - - -
San Jose
Urban
Poor 11 8 House & lot 1988 28% purchased 106,000
Rural
Poor 38 35 House, Coco 1993 25% purchased 89,145
Real Property 2
among samples)
Eastern Samar
Borongan
Urban
Poor 21
Non Poor 22
Rural
Poor 144 32 H&L, Coco farm 1969 77% inherited 26,667
Non Poor 147 34 H&L, Agri land 1991 65% inherited 125,905
Guiuan
Urban
Poor 24 4 Land, coco land 1995 50% inherited 205,000
Non Poor 29 10 Coco land 1988 75% inherited 96,889
Rural
Poor 83 16 H&L, Agri land 1969 30% inherited 96,250
Non Poor 89 33 H&L, Agri land 1982 51% inherited 229,079
Mercedes
Urban
Poor 2 2 Land/Lot 2002 100% inherited 50,000
Non Poor 4 2 House/store 1994 - 20,000
Rural
Poor 16 4 Agri land, land - 33% purchased 80,000
Non Poor
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Urban
Poor 10 4 House & lot, coco 1999 50% inherited 40,000
Rural
Poor 98 39 House & lot, agri 1985 31% inherited 99,808
Non Poor 22 10 Rice & coco land 1989 77% purchased 195,200
Mondragon
Urban
Poor 15 2 H&L, farmland - - 7,000
Non Poor 115 55 Coco land 1982 50% purchased 139,402
Rural
Non Poor - - - - - -
San Jose
Urban
62
Rural
Poor 38 8 Farmland 1991 28% purchased 503,800
Real Property 3
among samples)
Eastern Samar
Borongan
Urban
Poor 21
Non Poor 22
Rural
Poor 144 2 Coco farm 50% inherited -
Non Poor 147 3 Farm land 50% inherited 107,500
Guiuan
Urban
Poor 24 1 Agri land 2005 - 5,000
Non Poor 29 1 Agri land 1997 100% purchased 30,000
Rural
Poor 83
Non Poor 89 3 Agri land 1989 66% inherited 41,667
Mercedes
Urban
Poor 2
Non Poor 4
Rural
Poor 16
Non Poor
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Urban
Rural
Poor 98 10 House & lot, agri 1978 33% inherited 201,667
Mondragon
Urban
Poor 15
Non Poor 115 12 H&L, Rice 1984 100% purchased 242,857
Rural
Poor 71
Non Poor - - - - - -
San Jose
Urban
Poor 11
Non Poor 24 1 Rice land 1965 100% purchased 1,000,000
Rural
Poor 38 2 H&L 2002 100% purchased 17,500
Non Poor 37
63
Real Property 4
among samples)
Eastern Samar
Borongan
Urban
Poor 21
Non Poor 22
Rural
Poor 144
Non Poor 147
Guiuan
Urban
Poor 24
Non Poor 29
Rural
Poor 83
Non Poor 89
Mercedes
Urban
Poor 2
Non Poor 4
Rural
Poor 16
Non Poor
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Urban
Poor 10
Non Poor 27
Rural
Poor 98 2 Coco land 1965 - -
Non Poor 22 4 house & lot 1982 50% purchased 228,750
Mondragon
Urban
Poor 15
Non Poor 115
Rural
Poor 71
Non Poor - - - - - -
San Jose
Urban
Poor 11
Non Poor 24
Rural
Poor 38
Non Poor 37
64
Ownership of Personal Properties
About 58 percent of the respondents reported ownership of personal properties, the

dominant typologies of which are appliances, small vehicles and work animals, some
jewelry and bank accounts/cash.
Personal Property 1
Yr Acquired Acquired by Average Fair
Total n (modal year purchase Market Value
among
samples)
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 150 1. Appliances 1998 77 40,913
2. Motor/Tricycle
3. Carabao
Poor 243 116 1. Appliances 1998 88 17,417

2. Carabao
3. Pedicab
Eastern Samar
2. Motor/Tricycle
3. Tractor
4. Pumpboat
Poor 290 97 1. Appliances 2001 54 15,267

2. Jewelry
Personal Property 2
Yr Acquired Acquired by Average Fair
Total n (modal year purchase Market Value
among
samples)
Northern Samar
2. Bank Account
Poor 243 31 1. Appliances 2000.166667 26 21,257

2. Jewelries
Eastern Samar
2. Jewelries
Poor 290 36 1. Appliances 2000 12 8,596

2. Furniture
65
Personal Property 3
Yr Acquired Acquired Average Fair
Total n (modal year by Market Value
among purchase
samples)
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 54 Appliances 2000 35 27,499
Poor 243 9 Appliances 2001 8 19,625
Eastern Samar
2. Jewelries
3. Cash
Personal Property 4
among purchase
Dominant samples)
No w/ Prop Type
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Personal Property 5
among purchase
samples)
Northern Samar
Poor 243 1 Appliances 2003 0 4000
Eastern Samar 14 1999 6 16,000

Non Poor 303
66
Personal Property 6
among purchase
samples)
Northern Samar
Poor 243

Non Poor 303
Poor 290
Personal Property 7
Total n (modal year by Market
among purchase Value
samples)
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 3 Appliances 1997 1
10,000
Poor 243

Non Poor 303
Poor 290
Loans
Less than half of the respondents from both provinces and from the poor and non-
poor classes have existing loans. A higher proportion of the respondents in Northern
Samar have existing loans (48 percent for the poor and 42 percent from the non-poor
group). In Eastern Samar, about 38 percent from the non-poor group have existing
loans while only 23 percent from the poor group accessed the same. The nature of
these loans is as follows in the following order of frequency: microfinance/livelihood,
salary/emergency loan, group, food, farming purposes. The creditors are
predominantly NGOs and some government lending institutions and private
individuals. The average amount of the loan for the non-poor group is P21,326 and
the average loan amount for the poor group is P12,720.
67
Loan/Credit 1
Province/Category
TOTAL No. % Nature Creditors Yr Acquired Amount
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 95 42% 1. Microfinance/ 1. NGO (TKSI, 2003 28,033
Livelihood etc.)
2. Salary/ 2. GSIS/govt
emergency
3. Group loan
Poor 243 117 48% 1. Livelihood 1. GSIS/govt 2003 10,819

2. Food 2. Private
3. Farming individuals
(5/6)
3. NGO
Eastern Samar
Non Poor 303 114 38% 1. Livelihood 1. NGO/Coop 2003 14,620
2. Salary 2. Rural Bank
3. GSIS/govt
Poor 290 68 23% 1. Livelihood 1. NGO/Coop 2004 5,567

2. Food 2. Rural Bank
3. Private
Loan/Credit 2
Province/Category
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 19 8% 1. Microfinance 1. NGO 2004 39,571
2. Salary/ 2. Pag-Ibig
multipurpose
Poor 243 10 #REF! 1. Livelihood 1. Govt 2002 17,207

2. Emergency 2. NGO
3. Private
individuals
(5/6)
Eastern Samar
Non Poor 303 19 6% 1. Livelihood 1. NGO 2003 20630
2. Salary 2. Govt
Poor 290 4 1% 1. Livelihood 1. Private 2004 7,875

2. Food 2. Relatives
Loan/Credit 3
Province/Category
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 5 2% 2002 17,400
Poor 243 3 1% 2004 15,667
Eastern Samar
Non Poor 303 4 1% 2002 9,250
Poor 290
Loan/Credit 4
Province/Category
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 3 1% 2004 12,000
Poor 243 1 0.4% 2004 10,000
Eastern Samar
Non Poor 303 2 1% 2003 14,667
Poor 290
68
Loan/Credit 5
Province/Category
Northern Samar
Non Poor 225 2 1% 2004 5,000
Poor 243
Eastern Samar
Non Poor 303
Poor 290
69
Chapter
LGU Institutional
3 Development Landscape
Inventory and mapping of LGU development vision, philosophy,

development interventions, institutional and organizational
capacities and capabilities for poverty reduction and local
economic development
A. Basic Political Information
Eastern Samar Basic Information Northern Samar Basic Information

Provincial Level Provincial Level
Governor Ben P. Evardone Governor Raul Daza
Political Party Affiliation Lakas Political Party Affiliation Liberal Party
Term No. First Term No Second
Municipality
• Borongan • Lavezares
Municipal Class 2ndClass Municipal Class 5th Class
Mayor Fidel Anacta, Jr Mayor Celodonio Saludaga Jr
Political Party Affiliation Lakas-NPC Political Party Affiliation Liberal Party
Term No. Second term Term No. Second Term
• Guiuan • Mondragon
Municipal Class 3rd Class Municipal Class 4th Class
Mayor Analiza Gonzales Kwan Mayor Ishmael Bugna
Political Party Affiliation Lakas Political Party Affiliation Liberal Party
Term No. First Term Term No. First, ex-Vice Mayor (3 terms)
• Mercedes • San Jose
Municipal Class 6th Class Municipal Class 5th Class
Mayor Benito Cabos Mayor Lazaro Ballesta
Political Party Affiliation NPC Political Party Affiliation Liberal Party
Term No. First Term Term No. Second Term
B. Development vision and objectives
1. Development orientation and political interests of the local leadership
LGU Level Key informant information on the background of the LCE/political interest groups
Provincial Government
Eastern Samar • Province is led by a young governor who was once a student leader and inclined to
be associated with progressive causes
• Governor is current spokesperson of the Union of Local Authorities of the
70
Philippines and has access to all political groupings
• Provincial leadership can be a good partner in development-oriented projects
Northern Samar • Overall, the Liberal Party dominates politics in the province which is a known
opposition bailiwick
• Governor, vice governor & provincial board members, most mayors and the house
representative are all LP members
• Progressive party list groups got an overwhelming number of votes in the province
in the last election particularly in the interior barangays
Municipal Government Level

Formal information shared on Key informant information on the
development orientation and background of the LCE/political interest
philosophy groups
Eastern Samar
Guiuan “God-loving municipality where everyone is • Relatively young and a former student
happy, healthy and enjoying quality of life leader
under an ecologically balanced environment” • Belongs to an elite and business-minded
clan
• Favors loading mine deposits in the
municipality
• Not identified with progressive causes
although a claimed ally of a militant
women’s group/party
• Considered to practice traditional politics
Borongan • Knows personalities in the progressive
bloc but not associated with them
• Practices traditional politics and
approachable
• Known to not compromise welfare of the
municipality, a good prospect for
partnership in development projects
Mercedes Infrastructure development (farm to market • Incumbent mayor is a former teacher and
roads) perceived as a little passive on some
Livelihood issues affecting the development of the
Promote tourism town
Social services • Not closely associated with progressive
causes but treated as ally of the Akbayan
party list
• Easily approachable
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose “A model community of progress, peace, • Incumbent is a lawyer by profession and a
prosperity, cleanliness, orderliness and three-term provincial board member
beautiful where a healthy, educated and God- • Ran unopposed in his second term and
fearing people live happily in harmony with may run for a third term
nature” • An articulate politician whose family has
political and financial clout; a potential
candidate for congressman
• Has manifested commitment to make the
municipality progressive, achieve
significant headway in poverty alleviation
and make the area attractive to investors
• Open to working with NGOs on
community-based projects
71
2. Development concerns
Eastern Samar Concerns Northern Samar Concerns

Guiuan 1. High incidence of poverty Lavezares 1. High incidence of poverty
2. Shortage of capital 2. Inadequate infrastructure
3. Low labor productivity/economic production 3. Poor health
4. Inadequate infrastructure 4. Low literacy
5. Water and unstable power supply 5. Environmental denudation
6. Inadequate school buildings and facilities 6. Shortage of capital
7. Low productivity
Borongan 1. Shortage of capital Mondragon
2. Inadequate infrastructure
3. Lack of health, police and firefighting
equipments and facilities
Mercedes 1. Financial crisis San Jose
2. Infrastructure (municipal building)
3. High poverty incidence among households
4. Water
5. Electricity
3. Problem identification process
Eastern Samar Northern Samar

Guiuan Through surveys, community Lavezares
consultation; consultation with other
agencies, NGOs, POs and civic
organizations and personal
observations
Borongan Through consultation meetings with Mondragon
concerned departments
Mercedes Through actual observation and San Jose Through the conduct of
experience; surveys development planning
workshops, conduct of BDP-
PRA and consultations
4. Problem prioritization and ranking of development interventions

Guiuan 1. Provide access to credit Lavezares
through local enterprise
development
2. Provide physical infrastructure
3. Promote development tourisn
Borongan 1. Establish linkage with funding( Mondragon
institutions (grants, loans)
2. Seek financial assistance from
national and foreign sources
3. Allocate funding for equity
Mercedes 1. Participation of concerned San Jose 1. Provide access to capital

agencies, financial investors, 2. Provide physical
NGOs infrastructure
2. Political will, dedication & 3. Provide access to health
involvement of constituents services
3. Livelihood assistance, 4. Improve quality of education
investors to promote 5. Environmental rehabilitation
employment opportunities 6. Attract financing and banking
institutions
7. Introduce new effective
technologies
72
5. Ranking of interventions according to importance in addressing
poverty problem in the municipality
Poverty Interventions Eastern Samar Northern Samar

Guiuan Borongan Mercedes Lavezares Mondragon San Jose
Physical infrastructure 6 5 1 5
Access to credit and 4 6 4 1
finance
Health services 5 3 7
Education 3 2 6
Community organization 7 7 5 2
Agriculture development 1 4 3 3
support
Livelihood/skills training 8 1 2 4
Others: Tourism/ 2
investment/business
promotion
Others (specify)
6. Poverty reduction programs and projects implemented the past 3 years

Title Brief Description Amount Location Beneficiaries Funding source/partners Year implemented
Area No.
M F
Eastern Samar
Guiuan
Borongan
Mercedes
Water System 2.2 m 6 brys Senator, Rep 2004
Water System 200,000 Grant
Electrification San Jose, PNOC 2001-2003
Bobon, Kennedy
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose
MIADP
Health 1 BHW per
purok
Water system 14 barangays
Fish sanctuary June 2003
Livelihood
7. Planned poverty reduction programs and projects in the next 6 years

Title Brief Description Amount Location Beneficiaries Funding source/partners Year implemented
Area No.
M F
Eastern Samar
Guiuan
Borongan
Mercedes
Tourism Potential
Development
Skills training
Vegetables & root
crops production
Northern Samar
Lavezares
73
Mondragon
San Jose
Fish processing
Establishment of
Maria Angela
Falls
Computer center
Municipal Library
Resettlement 447 lots
C. LGU development plans and investment programs
1. Existing local development and investment plans of the LGU
Guiuan CLUP 2003-2012

MDP 2005-2007
MDIP 2005-2007
AIP 2005
LDP for Children 2004-2005
Borongan
Mercedes Tourism Potentials Development
Completion of water system
Construction of municipal building
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose CLUP
2. Policies, programs and projects for the poor embodied in the recent
local development/investment plans
3. Criteria used in policy, program and project prioritization
D. Partnerships with national government, NGOs and private groups
1. List of national government poverty reduction programs and projects

in the municipality
74
Program/Project Funding Amount Beneficiaries LGU
source (indicate involvement
gender, if
applicable)
Eastern Samar
Guiuan
Borongan
Mercedes Women’s Local & CDF
training center of Rep
Rosales
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose
2. NGOs
Name of Sector/area Target beneficiaries (who Location/Area LGU

NGO/interest of concern they are, indicate if male or covered involvement
group/ church female and the estimated
group/others number)
Eastern Samar
Guiuan GDFI Environment Fisherfolks and other Southern Partner
marginal groups municipalities
Borongan
Mercedes Women’s training
center
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose Helvetas

Tambuyog
FSSI
EVPRD
3. Private sector
E. Microenterprise/Financial Institutions
1. Microenterprise/Financial Institutions in the LGU
Private enterprise Sector/Area of Location/Area LGU Link

Concern covered
Guiuan PNB
Rural Bank
Uswag Credit extension Fisherfolks and small vendors
GDFI Credit extension Fisherfolks and small vendors
Taytay sa Kauswagan Credit extension
75
F. LGU Capacity
1. Planning process followed by the LGU
Eastern Samar Northerrn Samar

Guiuan 1. PRA/community surveys, Lavezares
situation analysis,
project/program identification,
implementation, monitoring
and evaluation, feedback to
community/groups
concerned.
2. Created the MDC, TWG
Borongan Mondragon
Mercedes San Jose
2. Major problems encountered in the planning process

Guiuan 1. Inadequate manpower
and funds
2. Complexity of the work
and persons involved
3. MDC not so active
4. Time management and
conflict of schedules
Borongan Mondragon
Mercedes San Jose 1. Orientation on the

development programs
and projects
2. Paradigm of mediocrity
3. Key officials and staff in the planning process
Key officials/staff involved (position Roles and responsibilities in planning process

titles)
Eastern Samar
Guiuan MPDC Acts as leader of the planning team
Municipal Engineer Planning team members
Municipal Assessor/Tax Mapper Planning team members
Municipal Agriculturist Planning team members
Heads of Offices Support/data supplier
MDC members Support/data supplier
Borongan
Mercedes
Northern Samar
Lavezares
76
Mondragon
San Jose Budget Officer

MPDC
MAO
WHSM
Micro-enterprise
Social services
Admin
4. Other organizations/individuals involved/consulted in the planning

process
Financial Capacity
5. Main sources of income of the LGU
Main Sources of Local tax revenue Local non-tax Main expenditure items
income sources revenues
Eastern Samar
Guiuan 1. IRA RPT Service Local projects
2. RPT Business tax charges Services
3. Other local taxes Salaries and wages
Borongan
Mercedes
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose IRA

Congressional fund
LGU organizational capacity
6. Track record on development and poverty reduction projects
Sector Title Funding Amount by Target Implementation Status

sources source beneficiaries period
E. Samar Area No. 2002-2004 Implemented
Guiuan Economic 20 % Whole
Social Development munici-
Infra Fund pality
Admin
Environment
Borongan
Mercedes
N Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose
77
7. Active technical positions in the planning and engineering units of the
LGU
Position title Educational Attainment Number of years experience in LGU

Eastern Samar
Guiuan
MPDC BSC- Accounting 13 years
Statistician
Municipal Engineer BSCE
Draftsman
Engineering Aide
Foreman
Borongan
Mercedes
MPDC BS Arch 4 years
Casual employee BS Civil Eng 8 mos
Casual employee BSIE (Garment Trades) 8 mos
Const Maint Tech course – 2 yrs 5 years
Capatas BSIE (Food Trades) 5 years
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose
8. Trainings related to planning, development and poverty interventions
Eastern Samar
Guiuan
Borongan
Mercedes Road Safety

Strategic Planning Workshop
Integrated Rural Accessibility Planning Procedures
Project Development
Municipal Water Sanitation Team Training
Tourism Orientation Seminar
Government Housing Program
Strategic Tourism Development Planning
Disaster Preparedness Orientation
Northern Samar
Lavezares
Mondragon
San Jose
78
Chapter
Civil Society and NGOs
4 in Samar
A. Introduction
The role and significance of civil society organizations or groups (CSOs) in Philippine
development efforts is undeniable. They have been, and continuous to be, involved
in various development initiatives and even in pursuing efficient and effective
governance. At different local (barangay, town, provincial) levels, there are a number
of CSOs directly implementing socio-economic programs to help marginalized
communities and sectors augment incomes and promote sustainable development.
Through these they are also able bring in much needed resources from outside or
foreign sources and tap other logistics for other development activities. In the field of
governance, CSOs are active in campaigning against state’s anti-poor policies as
well as in lobbying for government reforms in its programs and services. These
CSOs, or more specifically non-profit institutions (NGOs) and peoples’ organizations
(POs), are concretely working down at the grassroots level educating, organizing and
mobilizing people towards finding alternative solutions to their dire economic
condition and giving them opportunities to participate and be involved in the process
of decision-making especially in aspects that affect their lives through self-help
organizations. Accordingly, NGOs refer to support organizations with distinct
character and professional staff working for public welfare while POs constitute
groups or associations with mass membership.
Their numbers are a bit difficult to ascertain. Five years ago, one study placed the
number of non-profit NGOs to run between 60,000 to 95,000 and these figures were
largely based on registered organizations under the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). The SEC does not make any distinction on nature or type of
non-profit organizations that register with them. Estimates of POs, on the other
hand, are more complicated since there is no law requiring peoples’ organizations to
register with any specific government institution. If ever they do want to get an
accreditation, they may opt to get it from their local government (municipal or
provincial). Still, it is an acknowledge fact, that the numbers of POs and NGOs in the
country continue to grow and that in almost any part of the country you can find small
or large organizations and/or institutions working especially with and among
marginalized communities or sectors.
At a smaller scale or level, POs and NGOs are also to be found in the three
provinces of Samar, an island that has been the object of development, both by
government and private sector, local and foreign, for so long a time now. CSOs are
known to be active in countering underdevelopment in this island and in promoting
people empowerment, but who are they? What issues do they address? What
programs and services do they offer? Where do they operate exactly? How many are
there?
For this part of the study, the basic aim is to identify these POs and NGOs operating
in Samar and to get a closer look at some of them to see how they operate and what
services they provide to the people of Samar and who among them may be tapped
and mobilized for pursuing common development objectives.
79
B. Locating CSOs in Samar Island
Given the poverty and underdevelopment in the island of Samar it is not really
surprising to find out that there are already a number of development-oriented NGOs
and POs operating in its three provinces. A total of 68 POs and NGOs were tallied to
be existing in the island based from both secondary and primary data sources and
are operating at various site levels -- barangay, town or municipal, provincial and
even island wide levels. Data gathered from secondary sources were mainly a
combination of information culled from the Internet and various print materials (mainly
coming from manila-based development oriented institutions). The main objective
was to identify and gather NGO entities, or as much as possible, of service
institutions and peoples’ organizations that may have operated, or still operating, in
any of the three provinces of Samar. These data are to be use in determining how
CSOs are distributed or where they are operating in said island.
Primary data, on the other hand, were collected, using a survey questionnaire,
purposely to get a closer look at the levels of operations of such organizations, their
nature, what types of programs and/or services do they offer, what issues or
problems in Samar do they want to address, what are their opinions and plans
regarding such. Four major categories composed the survey questionnaire: 1)
identifying information; 2) Work coverage; 3) Organizational standing and 4)
View/perception on development work, poverty reduction and other issues.
Additional names of CSOs were also expected to come out from this survey.
1. Findings from Secondary Sources
To come up with names of CSOs that may have been involved in implementing
development programs/projects in the island of Samar a trace was made on such
activities by looking at large foreign multilateral agencies like the Asian Development
Bank (ADB), United States Agency for International-Development (USAID) and the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Tracking down programs and/or
projects resulted in establishing who their local partners are or were in Samar for
such activities. The same method was applied among local development agencies,
political institutions and advocacy groups, sectoral or manila-based, public and
private, to come up with additional names of CSOs operating in the island.
The result -- forty nine (49) CSOs (other Manila-based support groups not included
yet) were identified using secondary sources. Sixty-nine percent (34) are peoples’
organizations and 31% (15) are private non-profit institutions.
Percent Distribution
POs
(Coops)
57%
Samar Manila Total
NGOs 11 4 15
Pol Grps 4 2 6
POs
Coops 0 28 28
Total 15 34 49
NGOs
31%
POs (PG)
12%
80
The following is the list of collected names of CSOs:
NGOs
i. Samar-based
1. Promotion of Church Peoples’ Response (PCPR)
2. Katungod – SB (Human Rights Group)
3. Samar Rural Assistance Program (SRAP)
4. Trowel Development Foundation*
5. Health Empowerment Rurban Based Foundation (HERB)
6. South Pacific Integrated Area Development Foundation (MACDELFI)
7. Northern Samar Integrated Rural Development Foundation
(NOSIRDEF)
8. Samar Kauswagan Foundation (KAUSWAGAN)
9. Western Samar Development Foundation (WESADEF)
10. Basey Samar Foundation
11. Samar Island Biodiversity Foundation (SIBF)
ii. Manila-based
1. Women’s Action Network for Development
2. Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)
3. Haribon Foundation
4. Center for Empowerment and Resource Development (CERD)
People’s Organizations (POs)
i. Political Groups
1. Kilisang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
2. Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma – Sinirangan Bisaya (SAGUPA-SB)
3. Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas
(PAMALAKAYA)
4. Amihan (Peasant Women)
5. General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Equality, Liberation
and Action (Gabriela)
6. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-EV)
ii. Cooperatives
1. Bobon Multi-Purpose Cooperative
2. Catarman Community Multi-Purpose Coop.
3. Northern Samar Federation of Cooperatives
4. Northern Samar Provincial Credit Coop.
5. Harvesters Multi-Purpose Cooperative
6. Northern Samar Livestock Raisers Coop.
7. Northern Samar Dev't. Workers Credit Coop
8. Las Navas Multi-Purpose Cooperative
9. Nenita Multi-Purpose Cooperative
10. Mondragon Multi-Purpose Cooperative
11. Palapag Teachers & Employees Cooperative
12. Palapag Multi-Purpose Cooperative
13. Rosario Multi-Purpose Cooperative
14. Rosario Community Grains Retailers Multi-Purpose Coop.
15. Cabacungan Primary Multi-Purpose Coop.
16. Pambujan Multi-Purpose Cooperative
81
17. Balud Laundry Women Cooperative
18. Calbayog Fish Vendor Association
19. Hibatang Peoples Multi- Purpose Cooperative
20. Pedicab Housewives Cooperative
21. Calbayog Pedicab Drivers Cooperative
22. Malipayon Mangingisda Og Parauma
23. Nabang Farmers Assoc.
24. West Awang Mothers Cooperative
25. St. Francis of Assisi Multipurpose Cooperative
26. Brgy Mercedes-Casantolan Multipurpose Cooperative
27. Maydolong Development Multipurpose Cooperative
28. Multipurpose Cooperative of Guiuan
Multilateral Agencies
1. UNDP
2. ADB
3. Helvetas Philippines
4. Australian Aid (AusAid)
5. USAID
6. SEAFDEC
Distribution of CSOs by Area of Concern and Base of Operation
ES NS WS Leyte NCR Unidentified Total

SD-
SE- 2 17 12 2 2 3 38
Env - - - - 1 1 2
Pol.
Grp - - - 4 4 - 8
Sect - - - - 1 - 1
Distribution of CSOs by Type and Area of Concerns
SD-
SE Env PG Sect total
PO 28 - 6 - 34
NGO 9 2 2 - 13
Others 1 - - 1 2
SD-SE Env PG Sect
PO NGO Others
The first two names on the list of NGOs are advocacy and watch groups working
primarily for the protection human rights in the entire Eastern Visayas Region. They
are essentially local counterparts of national groups with the same name that have
main offices in Quezon City.
82
The nine other groups are support institutions that have their base of operations
mainly in provincial centers. They seem to have relatively wider area reach or
coverage in the island and ample network with other groups and organizations both
in and outside Samar. As can be noticed from their names, eight are private
foundations. By their very nature as a foundation it may be construed that they are
involved in supporting socio-economic initiatives at various levels in their own areas
of operation depending probably in their capability to generate support for programs
and activities. For lack of more information on them however, we can only speculate
on their programs and services.
The five remaining institutions found to be operating Samar have their bases in
Manila and operate in other provinces of the country. WAND is a sectoral-based
group supporting various initiatives directed towards promoting women’s concerns.
PBSP is a consortium of big businesses whose aim is to promote corporate social
responsibility among their ranks. Haribon Foundation is a popular group advocating
for the protection and preservation of natural resources and biodiversity in the
country. CERD is an institution involved in community based coastal resource
management
On the side of POs, the first six names are known for their strong political stand on
issues. Their organizing efforts and advocacies are directed towards calling for a
basic change in Philippine society such as the genuine and free distribution of lands
to the tillers, democratic and radical reforms in governance, upholding of human
rights and dignity and so on. The first three names are large national federation
whose memberships are mainly peasants and fisherfolks. KMP is a national umbrella
organization of peasants, which includes individuals and small farmers groups
spread across the country advocating for a revolutionary implementation of agrarian
reform. Amihan is also a national organization of women peasants and is allied with
KMP. SAGUPA-SB is the regional organization of farmers from the whole Eastern
Visayas Region and is a member of KMP. BAYAN-EV is also the regional chapter of
the same national organization whose membership includes almost all POs in the
progressive block. Bayan serves as the campaign center for all its member-
organizations. Three of the institutions/NGOs specified above are closely associated
with progressive block with both KATUNGOD-SB and the PCPR advocating for the
protection of human rights and are affiliated with a national organization -
KARAPATAN, promoting the same. SRAP on the other hand is a service institution
promoting various socio-economic initiatives through support in establishing
cooperatives. For being outspoken about their demand for genuine land to
peasants, this group of POs is usually the target of military harassments and even
assassinations. Though militant groups are more associated with advocacy of their
causes, they also offer some programs and services that help farmers address their
socio-economic needs.
The bulk of the POs (29 of 35) that were identified are mostly multi-purpose
cooperatives and, judging by their names, are largely based in their specific town or
locality. The 29 cooperatives are broken down as follows: 16 are from Northern
Samar, 11 from Western Samar and only two from Eastern Samar. The 16
cooperatives of Northern Samar are distributed in 8 municipalities with the capital
town of Catarman hosting the biggest number with six. Those coming from Western
Samar 10 are based in Calbayog town and one from Catarman. One each came
from the municipalities of Maydolong and Guiuan in Eastern Samar. No other
information was gathered pertaining to the level of operations of these groups or of
the programs and /or services they perform.
83
N o. of C oope rativ e s
ws
36%
ns
57% es
7%
The last group is a list of foreign funding institutions (except for SEAFDEC) that have
provided financial support to various projects by local CSOs. Helvetas Phil. has
projects in several towns of Northern Samar. The Australian Aid is also
implementing a micro finance and good governance project in this province. The
SEAFDEC is a regional treaty organization for South East Asia, primarily based in
Bangkok, whose aim is to help develop aquaculture in the said region and is involve
in raising productivity of mud crabs in Samar.
2. Taking a closer look at some of the CSOs (Survey Results)
A survey was conducted in two of the three provinces of Samar namely Northern and
Eastern Samar from February to May 2005. A total of nineteen (19) organizations
were interviewed with six (6) coming from Northern Samar and thirteen (13) from
Eastern Samar. All six organizations from Northern Samar are from the town of San
Jose while those from Eastern Samar three (3) came from its capital town of
Borongan and the other nine from the municipality of Guiuan and one from Mercedes
town. Of the nineteen, twelve fall under the PO category, three are service
institutions (including two foundations) that provide support to various types of
clients. The other three are consortiums but two of these seem to be government-
initiated councils and the last remaining one seem more of a program (base on its
name itself) being implemented by an LGU supported by an outside source.
Distribution of CSOs by Type
POs NGOs Others Total

ES 9 3 0 12
NS 5 0 1 6
The list of organizations by province gathered from the survey is presented below:
1. Northern Samar
• Barangay North Women's Organization

• Kababaihan sa Pag-uswag sa Brgy Balite
• Layuhan Women's Health Organization
• Samahan ng Kababaihan tungo sa Kaunlaran
• Women's Health and Safe Motherhood Project- Partnership
Component Municipal Replication Program
• P. Tingzon Women's Health organization
84
2. Eastern Samar
• Borongan Awareness on Nature and Outdoor Group

• Eastern Development Foundation
• Eastern Samar Council for Peoples Development, Inc.
• Converse Fisherfolk Association
• Bantay Dagat Kalikasan Task Force Coastal Zone Management
Council
• Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc.
• Brgy Agricultural and Fisherfoks Coop
• Tagporo Livelihood Association
• Save Manicami Movement
• Fisheries Aquatic Resources Management Council
• Pneuma Inc.
• Sulangan Multipurpose Assoc.
• Buklod Sikap ng Kaunlaran ng Kababaihan sa Mercedez, Inc.
a) Women’s Groups in Northern Samar
Only six organizations were gathered and interviewed from the northern
province of Samar and all came from the municipality of San Jose. Except for
one, all the other five groups from town are barangay or community-based
women’s organizations addressing primary health needs. There are 16
barangays in this town. The other one, by the name itself, the Women's
Health and Safe Motherhood Project - Partnership Component Municipal
Replication Program seem to be a temporary activity being implemented at
the municipal level and that one of its components is organizing women’s
groups in different barangays of this town. The total membership of the five
community-based organizations is only 114 with about 45% (51) of which are
inactive. One organization can almost be considered dead as the interviewee
said all of its 15 members are inactive. All were established only sometime
2002.
M e m b e r s h ip
Activ e
54%
Nature of Work
Almost all have declared that their primary objective is to address barangay
and women’s health needs. Only one responded to the question if they have
secondary objectives and that is livelihood. However, when asked for specific
programs three responded with livelihood related programs. No replies were
gathered on other services they conduct from all six but again three cited
livelihood endeavors when asked for other activities conducted by their
85
organization. To finance their activities two of the organizations relied mainly
on membership contributions, two conducted funds raising events for such
purpose. The other two were able generate support from outside their
community through financial grants. As for the type of work their
organizations had been engaged in, all six declared they are or were involved
in campaigns, but two took exceptions in lobby work and networking and one
from organizing.
Responses gathered by Nature of Work of Organization

Other
1st Obj 2nd Obj Programs Services Activities
health related 6 - 1 - 1
livelihood related - 2 4 - 3
no answer - 4 1 6 2
Capacity and Resources
When asked about assets and liabilities, four have nothing to declare while
the other two simply pointed to various office equipments as the only assets
they have. None had any liabilities as well, but one cited their monthly water
bill as a liability. They all responded yes to the question if they have
organizational structures. However, only two have other committees (one
mentioned health, the other a committee on livelihood) aside from their set of
officers or board members. Management and program implementation seem
to be no big deal among the six organizations as none were able to provide
any answers as to who is in charge. As to relations and/or affiliation with other
organizations or institutions, only two gave answers – links with the town’s
local government unit.
Responses related to Organizational Standing
yes no no answer
Assets 2 4 -
Liabilities - 6 -
Org
Structure 6 - -
Other Cmt. 2 2 2
Reg Mtng - - 6
Affiliation 3 2 1
Relation - 3 3
Development Orientation
Going into their views on certain topics or issues, in soliciting their opinions
and/or positions on the role of CSOs in development four simply responded
with a yes but did not give any other explanation. The other two had
expressed that CSOs have a role, one is on health education and women’s
rights and the other is to basically help or assist people.
86
Problems
On the matter of what they think are the hindrances that made it difficult for
their organization to realize its own set of goals, almost all were common in
pointing to an essentially the same weakness as the reason behind. Two
replied with disunity among members, one said it is lack of commitment,
another said its because of poor attendance by its members and another
cited rumors and misunderstanding among its members as the cause or
limitation for the organization. Only one had a different answer, which is lack
of capital as the main internal problem of their organization that prevented it
from reaching or achieving its goals. With regard plans related to these
external and internal problems, only one replied with reorganization to be an
immediate concern, two organizations answered resource generation and the
remaining two had no answers
The lack of livelihood or capital was essentially a common reply when all six
organizations were asked what could be the caused of underdevelopment in
Samar, hence their proposed solution would be the availability of it to
common people.
b) CSOs in Eastern Samar
As mentioned earlier, 13 (68%) of the total interviewees are from this

province. Seven (7) of the total POs that were interviewed also came from
Eastern Samar. Two were from Borongan, four were from the town of Guiuan
and the last one from the town of Mercedes. Six of the POs are essentially
community based but two of them seem to have exclusive membership, one
is for youth and the other is for local vendors. Three are essentially service
institutions two of which are private foundations catering to several needs of
the people in Samar in general and the other a service institution. In terms of
membership, the POs have a total membership of about 395 with over 80% of
the membership were deemed active. The other three are councils that seem
to mean a consortium of various stakeholders coming from different
communities and/or sectors in their specific area. However, two of the
councils are apparently initiatives of two attached agencies of the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The other council reflects
more semblance of a CSO due to its composition – local sectoral and
community organizations that are involved in various socio-economic
activities in the island of Samar.
Membership by Organizational Standing

U nknow n
In a c tiv e 6%
15%
A c tiv e
79%
A c t i ve In a c t i ve Unknown
87
Nature of Work
By nature of work, of the five POs, two are focused on environmental issues;
three are on socio economic and sustainable development while the other is
on livelihood and sustainable development. Among the three NGOs, two are
into research and training plus sustainable development while the other one is
concerned with the environment. Two of the councils have works related to
the protection of environment while the other one is on sustainable
development. From these, it appears that two of the major concerns of POs
and NGOs in Eastern Samar are either on the environment or on sustainable
and/or socio-economic development.
In terms of objectives four (three NGOs and one PO) were unable to give any
answers, not even their secondary objectives. Of the nine who gave
responses to the question (seven of them) on what their objectives were, six
(two of the councils and four POs) replied the protection of the environment,
one on the advocacy of sectoral issues and the other four answers were
related to livelihood provision. In relation to the objectives and their
translation into concrete programs, nine were able to cite their organization’s
specific programs with six of them directly related with the protection of the
environment and three on livelihood. By area of coverage, two of them claim
to cover the entire island of Samar, while four were confined to their
respective provinces, four are municipal wide and the remaining three are
limited to their own communities.
CSOs by Nature of Work

Env
SD-SE Env 31%
PO 5 2
NGO 3 -
Others 1 2
Total 9 4 SD-SE
69%
Capacity and Resources
Sources of financial support are hard to come by, but seven of the
organizations from Eastern Samar were able to solicit such support from
outside sources from the likes of UNDP, GEF and ADB and even from their
own LGU and other branches of the national government. Some were limited
to raising funds through membership contributions or through the conduct of
fund raising activities. One was not able cite any source. When asked about
assets and liabilities, three (two NGOs and one Council) of the organizations
said they own the building to which they hold office plus office equipment.
One declared its money in the bank, and another pointed to office equipment
the only property that they have, two have motorized bancas, and another two
declared assets related to their livelihood program (hogs and store
merchandises). Two have the remainder of their loans as assets which they
also they declared as liabilities.
88
Sources of Funds of CSOs in Eastern Samar
Dues IGP LGU/NGA FA None
Fund Source* 4 4 4 6 1
*Note – may not add up to total due to multiple responses
As for their organizational structure, only one NGO was not able to answer
questions related to this. All twelve remaining organizations pointed to its set
of officers or board as the highest policy making for their respective groups.
Regularity of meetings vary, six declared to have at least 1 meeting per
month, another said it was on a need basis while another one said they are
held on a quarterly basis.
In terms of program implementation, only four (two foundations, two POs) had
a response, and all of them referred to their chairperson or president or
executive director as the ones handling program implementation. Six (two
councils, two foundations, two POs) were able to put up other committees for
various concerns. Five maintain links with other organizations but only four
expressed positive outlook on such.
With regard the 13 organizations’ perceptions on some issues, the answers

are quite mixed. On the first question of the role of CSOs, six (6) either had
no answer or no clear response. The remaining seven each gave a different
answer: one said as an advocate, another was for policy recommendations,
the other cited protection of the environment. The other two replies are
somewhat similar – to achieve real development and for sustainable
development. One cited the role of women in development work and the
other explained that local government cannot do it alone. As to problems
preventing the organization from achieving its goals, particularly on internal
factors: five have similar answers – the of lack financial resources to
implement its programs, two had no answer, another two mentioned lack of
knowledge (presumably referring to the organization) and the other three
citing internal differences among members as the hindrance to its objectives.
On external causes: one cited lack of funds, another one mentioned limited
network, and two replied political intervention, two mentioned registration
and/or non-recognition by the LGU. The remaining 6 had no answers.
3. Summary Findings
Overall, 68 NGOs and POs were found to be operating in the three provinces of the
island of Samar. Almost one-fourth or 25% (17) are NGOs and 68% (46) are POs.
The other five groups (7%) however, are more of a consortium either between
government and local POs or among private businesses (PBSP). Essentially, by
areas of concern, these 68 organizations can be classified into four (4) categories
based on the character of work and goals namely – socio-economic and sustainable
development (47 or 70%); protection and preservation of the environment (6 or 9%);
and political advocates (8 or 11%) and sectoral concerns (7 or 10%).
89
Summary of CSOs Distributed by Areas of Concern
Sustainable Environment Social Political Total

Development/ Services Issues
Socio-
Economic
POs 33 2 5 6
NGOs 12 2 1 2
Others 2 2 1 0
Total 47 6 7 8 68
Among the POs, most common are those seeking uplifting of their economic status.
A significant number of them (mostly local based cooperatives) are concerned with
helping people find more sustainable means of livelihood that would supplement
incomes of their memberships. Even those groups with a relatively different priority
(as in the case of those health organizations in Northern Samar), have secondary
activities that are related to supplementing income. Among the NGOs a good
number (12 out of 17) of them have its efforts primarily focused on providing
livelihood assistance to people of Samar while a couple have priorities directed at the
protection and preservation of the environment.
The group of political advocates, although almost all have their main base located
outside of Samar, have a very intensive network in all three provinces. Unlike the
women’s organizations (5 community-based and 1 NGO), their work are very much
limited to their own local area, except of course for the WAND.
By geographical distribution, the table below represents how the 68 POs and NGOs
are spread based on where their main offices are located. The first three columns
are for the three provinces of Samar. Leyte-based groups are those whose operation
covers the entire Eastern Visayas region while those under the NCR column are
national organizations found to have local units in the island. Fourteen of the 68
(20%) are primarily based outside the island.
Table 2: CSO Distribution by Geographical Location

Leyte- NCR-
NS ES WS Based Based Unidentified Total
POs 21 9 10 2 4 0 46
NGOs 1 4 1 4 4 4 18
Others 1 3 0 0 0 0 4
Total 23 16 11 6 8 4 68
A much closer look at the 68 organizations, 50 were identified to have established a

base in one of the three provinces of Samar and operating at various site levels
within the respective province. The following is the breakdown:
90
Table 3: Summary Distribution of CSOs by Estimated Level of Operations in Samar by Province
3a: Eastern Samar

b t p i 7
6
po 5 3 - - 5
4 others
3 ngo
ngo - 1 2 - 2 po
1
others - 2 1 1 -
15 b t p i
total 5 6 3 1
12
3b: Northern Samar 10
b t p i 8 others
po 7 9 5 - 6 ngo
4 po
ngo - - 1 -
2
others - 1 - - -
total 7 10 6 - 23 b t p i
10
8
3c: Western Samar others
6
b t p i ngo
4
po 8 2 - - po
ngo - 1 1 - 2
others - - - - -
12 b t p i
total 8 3 1 -
Legend: b – Barangay; t – Town; p – Provincial; i – Island
Overall Summary Distribution for Samar Island
t
38%
b p
41% i 20%
1%
91
Looking closer at some of the local organizations (from the survey) the POs can be
characterized as relatively weak and their members seem to be rather
unconsolidated as reflected by the over simplicity of its organizational structure and
the lack of knowledge of how an organization works in order to achieve its goals.
Most of the organizations have only their set of officers to show for organizational set
up. Organizational development and management also seem to be a common
weakness among CSOs in the two provinces of Samar as members are quite
unfamiliar with their own organization’s goals and how such is to be achieved using
its own strength and machinery. Division of tasks is lacking as indicated by the non-
existence of committees that are supposed to handle other organizational concerns.
Only 2 out of 6 (33%) of those surveyed from Northern Samar have put up other
committees aside from their set of officers and only 6 out of 13 (46%) from Eastern
Samar. There seem to be a tendency to rely mostly on top officials for decisions and
even on program implementation. This is common for all of the respondents of the
survey.
A good majority have indicated that their organizations have been involved with
organizing, lobbying, networking and campaigns but none provided details (though
there may have been a weakness on the part on the interviewer in administering this
question). What is more saddening about this fact is that only one of the POs
indicated that they have plans on organizational development, while three of the
institutions have indicated plans on the same. None of the five POs from Northern
Samar had any plans on this matter.
NGOs manifest the better capability in mobilizing funds from external sources. All
four service institutions from Eastern Samar have tapped or solicited financial
support from foreign funding agencies. The two councils, since they are likely
government initiated consortiums, seem to receive financial support from such. The
POs from both provinces on the other hand have relied mainly on contributions from
its own members, which is not much as reflected by their assets, but two of them
used money from loans acquired from government institutions providing livelihood
assistance like DOLE and DSWD. These responses of the POs are consistent with
their response that none of them have affiliation and/or relation with other groups.
What may be surprising from the survey is that 63% (12) of the total respondents
have specific views on the role of CSOs in pursuing development. The other seven
(37%) were not able to register any answer on the question. Foremost among the
answers (coming from six POs) was CSOs could help them achieve or realize not
just development (1) but a sustainable one (5). Responses from Eastern Samar
organizations were mainly related to the protection and preservation of the island’s
natural resources. One group said it helped voices be heard, another replied with
CSOs role is on creating awareness without specifying any issue/problem.
C. The Political Climate in Samar
It is an acknowledged fact that the island of Samar is one of the poorest island in the
country. Economic activity and productivity has been very low as a result of various,
factors both natural and man-made. For one, these three provinces are situated right
at the so-called typhoon belt on the country making it highly vulnerable to natural
calamities primarily from destructive ones. This island is hit by typhoons at an
average of 25-26 per year. For another, its proneness to typhoons is made worse by
the fact that its natural resources, particularly its forests, are fast disappearing due to
92
rampant illegal logging exposing further its people to dangers like landslides and soil
erosions.
The political climate is not that conducive either. The island of Samar is said to be a
highly militarized area due to the on-going civil war in the countrysides. Recent news
has cited the strong presence of the military in the island to quell the communist-led
rebellion in that area. In fact, Gen. Jovito Palparan, the commanding general of the
military once assigned in the entire Eastern Visayas region, was quoted in a
newspaper report, to have declared that they will finish the job before the year 2005
is over. The result – 276 cases of reported violations of constitutional rights and civil
liberties from the period February to May of the current year, all attributed to the
military. This figure does not include yet those that were committed the previous
years and a significant number of unreported cases for fear of reprisal. Cases range
from simple surveillance to direct harassments to involuntary disappearances to
outright killing or assassinations. Also included are forced entries to private homes,
robberies, to large scale displacement of communities due to military operations.
Not spared from such attacks are government officials who have been vocal against
the military. These include several local elected officials like mayors and councilors
plus a number of barangay captains. The mayor and vice mayor of Villareal town in
Western Samar, for example, reported to have been shown a military intelligence
report by a friend stating they were part of a list of people being monitored the
military for strong links with progressive CSOs and political parties like Bayan Muna
and Anakpawis. Municipal health personnel also of this town have also been
prevented by the military to conduct their work in the coastal barangays of their
municipality.
Though most victims of the military operations are ordinary peasant families, there
are strong indications that the attacks on people belonging to or affiliated with
progressive CSOs were more deliberate and systematic. Members of NGOs and
POs advocating for human rights have been primary targets. Local personnel of the
Katungod – Sinirangan Bisaya were subjected to military surveillance and the
regional leader of SAGUPA – SB, Mr. Dario Tomada, was a victim of a failed
assassination. Most recent was the murder of the general secretary of the regional
chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Mr. Norman Bocar, in
Borongan, Eastern Samar. Community chapters and affiliates of SAGUPA-SB have
reported that their members have been regular targets of military operations and
harassments all over the island.
93
Chapter
Development Financing
5 Institutions
Profile of Respondents
A total of 23 respondents composed of institutions and private individuals agreed to

provide data and information on their financial products and services. Forty-eight
percent of these are private individuals who are into informal and private lending.
There were six (6) NGOs who shared their financial services: 2 were basically
church-based credit/savings unions/organizations, 3 microfinance institutions, 1 NGO
under a foreign-assisted government project. Three major development financing
institutions agreed to be surveyed and share some information and primer. These
were Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in both Northern and Eastern Samar and
Philippine National Bank in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Most of the pilot areas were
covered although no respondents were based in Mondragon in Northern Samar and
Mercedes in Eastern Samar.
Financing Institutions Surveyed &

Responded No. %
Major DFI (LBP and PNB) 3 13%
NGO-Church/religious org 2 9%
Cooperative 2 9%
NGO-MFIs 3 13%
NGO government project 1 4%
Private (individuals, 5/6, informal, lending investor) 11 48%
Rural Bank 1 4%
Total 23
Profile of Clients
The clients of these financing institutions are quite varied. The commonly named
ones are women, teachers/pensioners/SSS or GSIS members, and other small
businesses and microentrepreneur. Three (3) institutions only serve the financing
needs of their members (closed to the public).
Client Profiles
members only 3 19%
teachers/fisherfolks, SSS/GSIS/Pensioners 2 13%
enterprising poor 2 13%
women 3 19%
any interested client 3 19%
small businesses/microentrepreneur 2 13%
groups of five 1 6%
TOTAL 16
94
Loaned Amount and Cost of Borrowing
The amount being lent by the financing entities range from a low of P1,000 to as high
as P300,000. The respondents charge interest rates ranging from 2 percent per
month to as high as 20 percent.
Training extended by the Financing Institutions
The following are the trainings mentioned by the respondents: cooperative training,
compulsory group orientation and training, program orientation, simple credit
procedures, center group training, utilization checking, monitoring and handling and
training on marketing.
Average Repayment Rate
The range of loan repayment rates is from 75 to 100 percent. Average for all the
samples is around about 90 percent.
Case Study
Development Financing Institution: Land Bank of the Philippines, Northern Samar
Area of Operations: Northern, Samar
Type of Microfinance Institution: Government Bank
Sources of Loanable Funds:
Name of Source Nature (government subsidy, private Estimated Amount

investment, savings, etc)
1. Deposit Liabilities Regular savings, time deposits and current P50 million
deposit of private individuals
2. Internal Revenue Allotment Government Subsidy P195 million
3. Congressional Fund Government Subsidy P5 million
95
Products and Services:
Name of Description Target Amount (If Interest Major Rules/Conditions/

Program/ Clientele appropriate) Rate/Financing Guidelines/Collateral,
Service Terms etc.
Agricultural Loans to agri- Cooperative Based on the 12% per annum Either of the following: Deed
Production related ventures net worth of the of Assignment of Produce,
Loan cooperatives Chattel Mortgage, Real
Estate Mortgage
Fixed Asset Loans for Cooperatives, Based on coop Coop – 14% pa Either of the following: : Deed
Financing Acquisition of SMEs, LGUs networth; SME – Prime rate + 3% pa of Assignment of Produce,
equipments and collateral of LGU – Prime rate + 4% or Chattel Mortgage, Real
machineries SME, LGU 5% Estate Mortgage
borrowing
capacity
Working Capital Loans intended for Cooperatives Based on coop Coop – 12% pa Either of the following: : Deed
the use of an SMEs, LGUs networth; SME – Prime rate + 3% pa of Assignment of Produce,
additional working collateral of LGU – Prime rate + 3% or Chattel Mortgage, Real
capital for various SME, LGU 4% Estate Mortgage
purposes such as borrowing
trading, capacity
construction, etc.
Rediscounting Rediscounting of Cooperatives Coop-based on Coop – 12% pa Deed of Assignment of sub-
eligible sub- and RFIs networth; RFIs --- T-bills + 1% or borrowers, promissory notes
borrowers RFIs—based 2%; 10% for clean loans and underlying collaterals
promissory notes on approved and 12% for salaried and Comprehensive Surety
at 85% of face credit line personnel Agreement
value
Seminars and Training Programs
Title of Seminar and/or Target Objective of the Requirement for what

Training Clientele/participants Program type of microfinance
program (see#5)
Basic Accounting Cooperatives Install the cooperatives Redicounting, Agricultural
Books of Accounts Production Loan FA Financing
Credit Operations and Cooperatives Prepare cooperatives for
Management Course their business operations
Board of Directors Course Cooperatives Help BODs on how to
come up with policies and
programs necessary in the
day to day operation of
coop business
Appraisal Cooperatives Assist coop on how to
conduct appraisal of
offered collateral by
members
96
Performance of Development Financing/Microfinance/Credit Programs for the poor and the
development of the local economy
a. Program/Account Name: Cooperatives
Year Amount No of Average loan Overall Profit

released Clientele who per client repayment rate
availed
2000 13 M 6 coops 2.16 M 85% 0.950 M
2001 15 M 6 coops 3.00 M 80% 1.17 M
2002 15 M 6 coops 2.40 M 87% 1.05 M
2003 15 M 6 coops 1.80 M 100% 0.972 M
2004 9.1 M 6 coops 1.14 M 100% 0.818 M
b. Program/Account Name: RFIs / Rural Banks

availed
2003 3.00 M 1 3.00 M 100% 0.315 M
2004 6.00 M 1 4.50 M 100% 0.473 M
c. Program/Account Name: Local Government Units

availed
2004 6.495 M 1 6.495 M 100% 0.822 M
d. Program/Account Name: SMEs

availed
2000 7.00 M 4 1.75 M 100% 0.56M
2001 7.00 M 4 1.75 M 100% 0.595 M
2002 11.25 M 8 1.406 M 97% 1.23 M
2003 12.90 M 9 1.43 M 100% 1.95 M
2004 13.35 M 11 1.25 M 100% 1.43 M
e. Other relevant Institutional Performance Information that may be shared:
1. Number of Depositors: 1500
2. Total outstanding Loans: 64.00 M (including salary loans)
3. Others: 10.25 M loans are non-performing
97
Chapter
Private Investments and
6 Overseas Remittances
I. Small Private Investments in Northern and Eastern Samar
Private investments generation is an important step towards poverty alleviation. First,

it provides employment opportunities that are necessary to increase monetary
incomes among poor families without being a burden on government finances.
Second, it gives income to governments that, in turn, should create complementary
projects for the poor that are beyond the scope of private business. And third, it
opens new area or type of production, thus putting a “value-added” to the local raw
materials. The impact of private investments is evolving. Once a business rises in
one community it stimulates other investments to come in.
In this country, where poverty is in abundance and government has proved to be

incapable of solving this problem if not exacerbating the situation, clearly there is a
need to stimulate more investments from the private sector. But what government
does is to put more emphasis on attracting foreign investments that is not so keen on
coming to this country because of the so called problem of peace and order situation.
Local investors, as well, face tough problems. Studies from the Asian Development
Bank show how corruption, lack of adequate physical infrastructure and excessive
bureaucracy have deterred the business sector from establishing a base of business
here.1
Table 1 Year 2000 per capita In terms incentives, government led programs
poverty threshold and incidence of for business is skewed towards big investors.
poor families (in %) Small business owners, particularly those into
microentreprises, have to contend with the
Philippines 28.4 crumbs of the pie. Even some programs
Region 8 37.8 intended for the poor have been channeled to
Eastern Samar 47.3 those who are better off. World Bank studies
Northern Samar 40.7 have concluded that it is usually those
belonging to the higher income strata or social
Source: NSCB standing who are able to benefit from the
credit program that are originally intended for
the poor.2
1
The ADB led study entitled “ADB business survey highlights areas to improve investment climate” (20
January 2005) was conducted in with establishments in the Philippines. Thirty-four percent of the
respondents identified corruption as a major threat in business expansion. In particular, 41% of those who
are in the textile business complain of the severe negative impact of corruption in their business. In terms of
infrastructure, the business sector aired power failures as the culprit to their loses that on average amounts
to 8% of their production. Similarly, the lack of paved roads and maritime transport was identified as another
deterrent in their production.
2
World Bank (1998). “Apoyo a pequeñas empresas.” Precis no. 173. Primavera 1998.
98
The role of credit and information .A study by the International Labor Organization
(ILO) identified access to credit, and training and information as crucial in enticing
small and medium investments (SMEs) or in the expansion of existing small
businesses. While the samples were all taken from Thailand, nevertheless, the result
of the study also reflect the experience of other developing countries like the
Philippines.
What is revealing in the ILO study is the fact that almost all of the SMEs surveyed
have procured credit not from banks or other formal credit institutions to build and
expand their business. Capital usually come from savings previous to venturing into
business or was set-aside during high-income season for those that are already in
business and wish an expansion. According to this study this is what happens when
formal credit is simply inaccessible to smaller investors. This means that the
requirements and charges of banks or other formal lending institutions are beyond
their reach.
The results of this ILO study are almost a photocopy of the outcome of local
researches on credit for the poor done locally. High interest rates, and too much
paper works and document requirements have deterred small rural producers away
from banks. Instead, they normally opt to secure credit from informal sources that
charge higher interest but do not require any documents. Apart from this, there was
an inherent fear among the respondents to borrow from formal sources, particularly
from government lending programs that they might go to jail if they are unable to pay
their loan.3
Those that are into micro enterprises (and/or what is dubbed as the informal sector)
find it difficult to obtain credit from formal sources not because they have no capacity
for repayment. Instead, very few sources of credit are willing to lend them money for
lack of formal documents and accreditations.
Among small and micro enterprises capital expansion is important to be able to

diversify the type of activities and the products that they sell. In fact, a major concern
on the state of small and medium enterprises in this country is their significantly low
value added contribution. According to the Chair of the Small Business Corporation
Zorayda Amelia Alonzo the contribution of the SMEs is more towards the provision of
labor and hardly in the creation and processing of raw materials, and the operations
are hardly mechanized. 4
3 st
Leyesa, Daryl (2003). The state of Philippine rural women. Presented during the 1 Rural Women’s
Congress in Taguig, 18 October 2003. Philippine Peasant Institute.
4
Zorayda, Amelia C. Alonso (2002). “The SME Development Plan and the Role of Rural Banks.” Helping
Build Local Economies. Pp. 264 to 265. Originally prepared for the Rural Banks Association of the
Philippines 2002 Annual Corporate meeting and the National Convention held at the Xavier Estate,
Cagayan de Oro City on 17-19 April 2002.
99
Table 2 Contribution of SMEs vs. Large Enterprises in Some Asian Countries
Indicator Philippines South Korea Japan China
Employment 67.0% 69.0% 78.0% 74.0%
Value-added 32.0% 46.0% 56.0% 60.0%
contribution
SME 99.6% 99.0% 99.0% 99.7%
Population
The mode survey on small private investors:

From March to April 2005, MODE conducted a survey on the needs and views of
active and inactive small private investors on how the investment climate in Samar
can be improved. A total of 85 representatives (42 % are males and 58 % are
females) from the different local businesses participated. The respondents hailed
from the municipalities of San Jose (29.4 %), Mondragon (23.5%), Lavezares
(23.5%), Guian (12.9%) and Borongan (10.5%). Majority of the respondents were
business owners (86%), while a small percentage were managers (9.4%) and
salespersons or clerks (1.17%).
Figure 1. Distribution of business

size according to annual labor cost
1200000
annual labor cost
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0
Majority of those interviewed were into the retail business (89.4%), and the rest are
into food and restaurant (5.88%) and insurance business (4.7%). More than half of
the respondents are no longer active in the business sector (61.17%). Though,
clearly, majority of them wants to go back (76.47%). When asked for the reasons
behind closing shop, the number one reason cited was that they are able to find
employment that pays more than their business. Though, they still want to continue
with the business while maintaining their present work, they find it hard to find some
one who can manage in their behalf (see table 3).
Table 3 Reason why they are no longer in business?
They have found other sources of income and cannot find any person who is
responsible to take over 8
Age and health reason 3
Lack of capital 2
State of the economy 1
High cost of inputs (including electricity) 1
100
Government incentives. The respondents were asked what types of incentive should
government provide to boost investments in Samar. The number one answer was
capital assistance. It seems the major stumbling block among potential small
investors would be the difficulty of attaining credit for capital-built-up. The results of
the survey attest that informal sources of credit such as neighbors and relatives
remain the major source of capital even for relatively larger businesses.
Another issue cited was the peace and order situation in the provinces that deter
potential investors from building their business there. The impact of an increase in
taxes (the increase of the Expanded Value Added Tax from 10% to 12%) and the
prices of production inputs, such as petroleum prices, as discouraging to the
business community. As well, the erratic power supply was said to be a major
concern among the business owners.
Table 4 What type of incentives should government provide to businesspeople?

Capital 25
Peace and order 21
Less taxes (VAT, business taxes) 12
Control on prices (i.e. petroleum) 10
Better power supply 9
The role of the NGOs. Most of the respondents are very much concerned about
continued patronage for their stores. The competition among them for such a small
market in the two provinces compels them to call on the different organizations in civil
society for assistance in advertising their store and the products that are made in
their municipalities.
Secondly, they hope that the NGO community will be able to provide help in credit
procurement for added capital. A quality that the proposed credit program should
have is low interest. Similarly, the respondents hope that NGOs will espouse a
savings trainings program to make it easier for their clients to pay their debt to their
stores.
And, the third most frequent answer was technical assistance in terms of producing
new items that may enable them to expand their business.
Table 5 What should be the role of the NGOs
Advertising and advocating for the procurement of locally produced products 27

Credit and capital (including savings training, etc) 26
Technical assistance on production 13
The impact of investments in Samar.

A range of variables was given to the respondents to know their perception on how it
will be affected by local investments. In terms of growth in local employment, the
majority (66%) agrees that investments will bring more job opportunities. Though
there was a smaller number (19%) who disagreed on the basis that normally
businesses in the provinces are in small sizes that they usually employ family labor.
101
The rise in investments is said to produce a multiplier effect. That is, once a business
is established its very presence stimulates other small entrepreneurs to come into the
market, either as competitors or as complementary businesses. Fifty-eight percent
(58%) of the respondents affirmed this scenario. But 23% were uncertain whether
this will be the case and opted not to give any remarks. The remaining 19% of the
respondents do not believe that the entrance of new private investments will be
enough to entice small entrepreneurs to go into business.
They were also asked whether going into business means greater capital
accumulation for the households. Clearly, the majority (61%) said yes, but almost a
quarter of the respondents (23%) choose not to answer this question. Only 15% said
no.
Similarly, the respondents were unsure whether an increase in investments in Samar

would lead to a growth in agricultural production. The majority (47%) chose not to
give a response to the questions whether investments will have a positive effect on
the local agricultural sector. Nineteen percent (19%) gave a negative answer saying
that the types of businesses are normally not related to agriculture therefore they do
not have any impact on the farming sector. The remaining 34% however are hopeful
that whatever investments come in their province will be able to use their agricultural
products as raw materials or at least increase the consumption of agricultural
products of those who will be employed by the new businesses.
They showed the same pattern of responses when asked whether they believe that
new investments will be more environmentally friendly. More than half of the
respondents (55%) were unsure and chose not to give a response. Thirty-four
percent (34%) said yes, while the remaining 19% said no.
Table 6 Will investments in Samar create a positive or negative effect on the following:
Variables Yes No No
response
Local employment 56 (66%) 16 (19%) 13 (15%)
Growth of local entrepreneurs 49 (58%) 16 (19%) 20 (23%)
Accumulation of capital for 52 (61%) 13 (15%) 20 (23%)
households
Growth in agricultural 29 (34%) 16 (19%) 40(47%)
productivity
Lead to a more ecologically 26 (30%) 12 (14%) 47 (55%)
sustainable form of production
processes
Harnessing the potential of migrant workers as entrepreneurs or sources of

capital. Data from the NSO census in 2000 indicate that 2,408 registered Filipino
overseas workers hail from Eastern Samar (1,352 are women while 1,057 are men).
The same organization says that Northern Samar’s contribution to the OFW sector
doubled from1995 to 2000. The number jumped from 1,129 in 1995 to 2,542 in 2000.
The year 2000 data are divided between 1,236 women and 1,306 men. These data
from NSO is a very conservative estimate given that the majority of OFWs are not
registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) where the
samples were taken. In fact, the results of the MODE survey indicate that almost all
of the household respondents have a close relative who is working abroad. And this
survey represents just five municipalities in Northern and Eastern Samar.
102
These OFWs have the capacity to channel much needed capital for business in the
rural areas. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) says that in 2003 remittances
through formal channels amounted to US$7.6 billion that is equivalent to 7.5% of the
country’s gross domestic product (GDP). 5
The same ADB survey says that on average, an OFW remits US$340 per month to
their families. At a conversion rate of PhP55 to US$1, this is equivalent to PhP18,700
per month or PhP224,400 annually, an amount that is way above the normal family
income in Eastern Samar. The mean annual family income in the province in year
2000 was PhP71,527, while in Northern Samar it was PhP80,114.6
Do the OFW set aside a portion of their income for savings or capital formation for
business? Another ADB study noted that a big percentage of the money sent by
OFWs is usually spent on lavish purchases.7 While some OFWs have allocated the
amount of their remittances in business investments or in the purchase of real estate
properties, they were exceptions rather than the norm among the group interviewed.
The majority says that apart from household expenses, the next major expense
would be contributions to fiestas, marriages, and birthdays and of course money lent
to close family members.
In terms of microfinance, the OFW sector is both a source of capital and potential
clients. This is a sector with a capacity to repay loans at regular intervals through
monthly remittances. And, this is also a sector that has emerged as a quick source of
informal credit. What needs to be done is too change their mindset in using their
capacity for long term investments.
The informal sector in Samar. Government statistics are unable to capture the
extent of the informal sector in the country. For one, the fact that they are not
registered with formal public institutions makes it very hard to find out exactly their
population size. In broad strokes, those belonging to the informal sector would be
those that are engaged in informal labor or enterprise that is unregistered with
national government offices, such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the
Securities and Exchange Commission, that hires up to ten people or less but mostly
employ unpaid family labor. They can be ambulatory or home based. 8 ILO data
suggests that more than half of local entrepreneurs would fall under the informal
sector. Of those engaged in business, micro entrepreneurs and their employees who
5
ADB (2005). Poverty in the Philippines: income, assets and access. Pp. 59 to 61.
6
NSCB (2004). Annual Statistical Yearbook
7
ADB (2004). Enhancing the efficiency of overseas workers’ remittances. Technical Assistance Final Report.
July 2004.
8
ILO characterizes the informal sector as :“..very small units producing and distributing goods and services,
and consisting largely of independent, self-employed producers, some of whom also employ family labor
and /or a few hired workers or apprentices; which operate with very little capital, or none at all; which utilize a
low level of technology and skills; which therefore operate at a low level of productivity; and which generally
provide very low and irregular incomes and highly unstable employment to those who work in it. They are
informal in the sense that they are for the most part unregistered and unrecorded in official statistics; they
tend to have little or no access to organized markets, to credit institutions, to formal education and training
institutions, or to many public services and amenities; they are not recognized, supported or regulated by
government; they are often compelled to operate outside of the framework of the law, and even where they
are registered and respect certain aspects of the law they are almost invariably beyond the pale of social
protection, labor legislation and protective measures at the workplace. From Ya, Sandra (2001). ILO and the
challenge of the informal work. Draft copy. ILO, p. 2. previously quoted in ILO (1991). The Dilemma of the
Informal Sector. ILO, Geneva.
103
are in the informal sector are in the most disadvantaged position. One, their lack of
accreditation makes it impossible to procure formal credit and training. Two, very few
of them, if at all, have upstream linkages with formal investors that might be able to
use their products as raw materials or for further sales. Given this situation, very few
of them are able to expand and go into the next stage as small formal entrepreneurs.
In Samar, NSCB data say that there are more families that earn their primary income
from entrepreneurial activities. Table 7 indicates that both for Eastern and Northern
Samar that for every family that depends on wages, there are almost two families
that earn from micro enterprises. But clearly, the majority of entrepreneurial families
are involved in agriculture related ventures. It can be deduced from their annual
earnings that these non-wage earning families are mostly part of the informal sector.
In Eastern Samar, the median income of these families are between PhP30,000 to
PhP59,999 annually while in Northern Samar it ranges from PhP30,000 to
PhP39,999.9
Table 7 Primary Source of family income

for the year 2000
Eastern Samar No. of families

Total entrepreneurial activities 31,551
Agri-related enterprises 24,481
Non-agri enterprises 7,070
Wages 17,935
Northern Samar No. of families

Total entrepreneurial activities 50,425
Agri-related enterprises 37,304
Non-agri enterprises 13,121
Wages 30,541
Source: NSCB 2004
Sources:
ADB (2004). Enhancing the efficiency of overseas workers’ remittances. Technical Assistance Final Report. July
2004
ADB (2005) .ADB business survey highlights areas to improve investment climate.
ADB (2005). Poverty in the Philippines: income, assets and access.
Ya, Sandra (2001). ILO and the challenge of the informal work. Draft copy. ILO
Leyesa, Daryl (2003). The state of Philippine rural women. Presented during the 1st Rural Women’s Congress.
Taguig, Metro Manila. 18 October 2003. Philippine Peasant Institute.
World Bank (1998). “Apoyo a pequeñas empresas.” Precis no. 173. Spring 1998.
Zorayda, Amelia C. Alonso (2002). “The SME Development Plan and the Role of Rural Banks.” From Panganiban
(2002) Helping Build Local Economies.
9
NSCB (2004). Annual Statistical Yearbook.
104
Annex 1: Summary of tables
Respondents:
Sex No. %
Male 36 42.3
Female 49 57.6
Total 85 100
Municipality No. %
Guian 11 12.9
Borongan 9 10.5
San Jose 25 29.4
Mondragon 20 23.5
Lavezares 20 23.5
Position in the company No. %

Manager 8 9.4
Owner 73 85.9
Sales clerk 1 1.17
Others 1 1.17
No answer 2 2.35
Sector No. of responses %

Insurance 4 4.7
Retail 76 89.4
Food and restaurant 5 5.88
Others 1 1.17
No answer
Whether in business as of present time or not

Response No. %
Yes 33 38.8
No 52 61.17
Among those who are no longer in business but wanted to return to business
Response No. %
Yes 39 76.47
No 12 23.53
total 51 100
105
II. Investment Potential of Remittances: Household Survey Results
About 47 percent of the household respondents surveyed in the two provinces of

Samar have relatives working abroad. Of those with relatives abroad, about 48
percent of them received some form of assistance from these relatives.
Yes No NA Total
With Relatives Abroad 497 545 19 1061
Received Financial Assistance 237 732 92 1061
Most of these relatives working or residing abroad are female (60%). While 17
percent have relatives abroad from both genders.
Male Female Both Total NA Total

Relatives
Gender of Relatives 46 113 33 192 869 1061
Thirty-three percent (33%) of the financial assistances received from relatives abroad
are for gifts/pasalubong/social events purposes. Other frequent uses are for
emergency/death/burial expenses (22%), educational expenses (19%), regular
stipend or assistance (13%), other purposes (7%) and health care purposes (6%).
Uses/Purposes of Financial
Assistance N %
gift/pasalubong/social events 89 33%

regular stipend assistance 36 13%
education 51 19%
emergency/death/burial 60 22%
health care purposes 17 6%
others 18 7%
TOTAL 271 100%
106

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Consortium for the Advancement and

Development of Local Economies of Samar

Samar Baseline Study

Results of the survey on the major

Prepared for CANDLES by: JAY BERTRAM T. LACSAMANA

Chapter 1 Samar, the Philippine Economy and Poverty ................................................................1

I. Samar and its role in the Philippine Economy................................................................. 1

Family income and expenditures ..................................................................3

Labor Force and Employment.......................................................................4

Agricultural Production ..................................................................................5

Number of Establishments ............................................................................7

Education and Literacy................................................................................10

II. Poverty Situation in Samar ........................................................................................... 11

Chapter 2 Community and Household Profiles.............................................................................15

I. Socio-Economic Profile of Pilot Communities ............................................................... 15

A. Eastern Samar .............................................................................................................15

2. Municipality of Mondragon .................................................................47

3. Municipality of San Jose ....................................................................50

II. Household Profiles ....................................................................................................... 58

A. Basic Information .........................................................................................................58

Chapter 3 LGU Institutional Development Landscape ...............................................................70

A. Basic Political Information............................................................................................70

B. Development vision and objectives .............................................................................70

C. LGU development plans and investment programs ...................................................74

D. Partnerships with national government, NGOs and private groups ...........................74

E. Microenterprise/Financial Institutions ..........................................................................75

Chapter 4 Civil Society and NGOs in Samar ..............................................................................79

B. Locating CSOs in Samar Island ..................................................................................80

C. The Political Climate in Samar ....................................................................................92

Chapter 5 Development Financing Institutions ...........................................................................94

Profile of Clients .......................................................................................94

Loaned Amount and Cost of Borrowing ..................................................95

Training extended by the Financing Institutions ......................................95

Average Repayment Rate .......................................................................95

Chapter 6 Private Investments and Overseas Remittances.......................................................98

I. Small Private Investments in Northern and Eastern Samar.......................................... 98

II. Investment Potential of Remittances: Household Survey Results ............................. 106

Composed mostly of development-oriented NGOs, CANDLES in late 2004

1. Poor households and the entrepreneurial poor and their communities;

Chapter 1: (i) Samar and the National/Regional Economy;

The presentation is basically limited to summarization and consolidation of the

In-depth analysis, findings and technical alternatives and recommendations

I. Samar and its role in the Philippine Economy

Region 8 or Eastern Visayas comprise about 5 percent of the national population of

Land Area Density

Biliran 140,274 4% 75 132,209 4% 72 528 264 53

Eastern Samar 375,822 10% 59 362,324 11% 58 4,431 84 14

Leyte 1,592,336 44% 15 1,511,251 45% 13 6,520 241 48

Northern Samar 500,639 14% 50 454,195 13% 51 3,445 145 28

Southern Leyte 360,160 10% 61 317,565 9% 61 1,852 353 62

Western Samar 641,124 18% 38 589,373 18% 37 5,212 65 10

MIGRATION BY SEX AND PROVINCE/CITY, REGION VIII

2001 Rank 2001 Rank 2001 Rank

Family income and expenditures

Ave Annual Rank (78 1994-1997 % Rank

Ave Annual Rank (78 1994-1997 % Rank

Labor Force and Employment

Samar provinces have achieved modest performance in terms of employment and

April 2001 Labor Force (in thousands)

Philippines 29,160 4,461 33,621 86.73% 13.27

Region 8 Eastern Visayas 1,504 240 1,744 86.24% 13.76

Biliran 67 11 78 85.90% 56 14.1 17.9 1

Eastern Samar 171 23 194 88.14% 37 11.9 10 6

Leyte 676 124 800 84.50% 67 15.5 7 12