Physical Profile

Physical ProfileEastern Samar, one of the six provinces in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), is in the eastern part of the island of Samar. The entire east coast of the province faces the Philippine Sea that forms part of the Pacific Ocean. Eastern Samar other boundaries are: Northern Samar on the North; Samar on the West; and on the south is Leyte Gulf that merges farther south with Surigao Strait.Borongan City, the provincial capital, is approximately 550 air-kilometers southeast of Manila and around 65 air kilometers northeast of Tacloban City, the regional capital.Eastern Samar has a total land area of 4,617.2 square kilometers (51.5%) of which are classified as agricultural land subdivided into 22 municipalities and one (1) city. Twenty  (20) of these are located along the coasts while two (2) are inland municipalities.The interior part of the province is rough, hilly covered with dense tropical vegetation. The predominance of land with more than 18% slope indicates the mountainous and hilly terrain of the province. These types of lands make up 61.35% of the entire area of the province. Eastern Samar falls under Type II climate that is, no dry season with a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. Between 200 and 2011 there was an increase in the average monthly rainfall from 461.1 mm to 580.1 mm making the province more susceptible to flood and land slide.

Demographic Profile

The total population of the province is 467,160  persons in about 97,325 households with an annual population growth of 1.64 percent and with a male-female ratio of 108 in 2010.  The gross population density of the province is 101 persons per sq. km. of land area, the lowest in Region VIII that has a population density of 191.

The population of Eastern Samar is very young with a median age of 21.2 years and around 4 in every 10 persons are under 15 years of age. This relatively young population could be directly attributed to a high birthrate. While more than half (56.7%) of the province’s population were on the productive age group(15-64 years of age), the proportion of the dependent age groups consisting of 0-14 years old and over was high at 43.3 percent. In 2010, every 100 persons in the productive ages had about 76 dependents indicating a strain on the limited resources of households.

The 2010 census showed that 97.28% of the total population had resided in the same municipality for the last 5 years and presumably even longer. This is 1.68% higher than the 2000 figure of 95.6%. This indicates an increased movement of population coming in to the province. Inter-province movement accounted for 6.43%.

The average household size is 4.8 persons. Then annual per capita poverty threshold level was estimated at P22,886.00 in 2015 which means that a family of five members in the province should have a monthly income of P9,536 to meet its food and non-food requirements. This figure is higher than the regional  (P21,304) figure. Eastern Samar registered a poverty incidence of 37.4% which is higher than the regional figure of 30.7%.

Socio-economic Profile

The province economy is dominated by agriculture and fishing, which by themselves are low-income generating activities. Croplands cover about 95% of the total agricultural land. Crops planted are mostly commercial crops such as coconut, abaca, banana and pineapple. Agricultural land used for food crops which are mostly rootcrops and palay accounted for 25% of the total agricultural land. While there has been an upward trend in the production of crops, low productivity of agricultural lands especially palay and coconut farms continues to hamper the province’s economy.

Eastern Samar contributed a mere 6.52% of the regional palay production in 2015 earning for the province the distinction of being the smallest palay producer in the entire Eastern Visayas. Average yield of palay of 2.91 metric ton per hectare in 2015 is much lower than the regional average of 3.56 metric ton per hectare in the same year. The same could be said of coconut/copra which registered decrease volume of production from 274,596 metric tons in 2010 to 158,235 metric tons in 2015 or 42.37%. This can be partially attributed to the ravage and devastation to coconut trees brought about by the super typhoon Yolanda in 2014 and Typhoon Ruby that subsequently followed. This situation has serious implication on the earning capacities of farmers who comprise the bigger proportion of the population.

Underutilization of agricultural lands and lack of support infrastructure like irrigation aggravated by the lack of appropriate and adequate production inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, feeds and technology which are beyond the reach of marginal farmers, erosion and despoliation of the environment, are the major causes of low crop and livestock productivity.

Likewise, fishery value production output decreased by 30.7%  from 3,715,561million pesos in 2010 to 2,574,312 million pesos in 2014. Aquaculture and inland municipal fishing registered remarkable decrease of 95.9% and 88.0% respectively for the same year. This downward tick is attributed to the continued depletion and degradation of marine and fishery resources.

The forest in the province cover an area of approximately 178,366 hectares. The forests serve as the primary source of various products and raw materials such as logs and rattan. Eastern Samar used to be the largest producer in Eastern Visayas contributing 72% to the total regional log production in 1988. As a result of the flash floods that the province experienced in 1989, the national government imposed a ban on logging operations in 1990 up to the present.

Eastern Samar’s basic literacy rate of 97.2% is the highest in Eastern Visayas. Educational attainment of population, however, is relatively low as 44.2%  of the population five years old and over attended or completed elementary education only, while 30.6% of the population of the same age group completed high school. Those who are academic degree holders accounted for 7.9%.

Access of families to potable water is estimated at 94% in 2014, a significant improvement from the 76.5% reported in 2000.Toilet access in 2014 is estimated at 72% as against the 60.4% reported in 2000.

The above accomplishments notwithstanding, water-borne diseases like diarrhea continue to be of the leading causes of morbidity. This implies that the sizable number of water sources are still unsafe and poor sanitation and hygiene remains a problem in the province.

Health and Nutrition

There has been a slow but steady progress in the overall health situation in the province. Infant death rate declined significantly from 11.30 per 1000 livebirths in 2011 to 2.63 in 2015. Maternal death rates also declined from183 per 100,000 livebirths to 103 per 100,000 livebirths. During the same period crude birth rate was reduced from 21.90 per 1,000 population to 19.00. Prevalence of underweight children 0-6 years old is 10.8%. This figure is lower than the 12.26% figure in the region.

The above performance notwithstanding, the health sector still suffers from poor hospital services and facilities and referral system, lack of barangay health stations and the high cost of drugs and medicines.

Infrastructure and Utilities

The main road network of the province runs through the major settlements and along the coastal areas from Arteche to barangay Buenavista in Quinapondan where it branches west to Lawaan and south to Guiuan.

As of 2014, Eastern Samar’s national road length of 326.91 kilometers was 99.5 percent paved with either concrete or asphalt.  Provincial roads are mostly 60.2% paved with either gravel and earth. Barangay roads are mostly paved with gravel and earth. Concrete barangay roads accounted for only 9.2 percent and are located at the barangay poblacion.

The province has 132 bridges with a combined length of 5,286.64 linear meters which complement the province’s road network.  Of these figure, 90 are national bridges and except for 1 bailey road, all are concrete/steel bridges. While the 42 provincial bridges are mostly timber bridges (66.6%) and concrete bridges accounted for 33.3% only.

The province has two airports, the Borongan and Guiuan airport. Presently there are no commercial flights to the province as both airports cater only to light private planes, cargo, and military planes. Both airports still lack the basic facilities like passenger terminal, and navigation equipment. Their runways need to be improved before they can be used for commercial operations.

In 2015, only 38.8 percent of the 49 irrigation system in the province are  operational. These covered a service area of 2,273 hectares. While 39% are either damaged or partially damaged and are  in need  of repair and rehabilitation. At present, there are thirteen (13) irrigation systems with on-going construction which cover a combined potential service area of 1,985 hectares. Completion of the ongoing irrigation systems and the improvement and rehabilitation of existing ones will boost the province palay production.

Electricity is directly provided and distributed by the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO). It derives most of its power supply from the National Power Corporation (NPC)-operated Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Leyte. Small islands are powered by individual generating sets. ESAMELCO has energized all municipalities. As of December 2015, 94.0%of barangays in the province were energized. The province has renewable energy sources like the Amandaraga Falls in the Municipality of Lawaan which can be developed into a mini-hydro power plant.

Source of Livelihood

Farming and Fishing remain as the province’s leading economic activities with roughly three-fourths of the total estimated employed persons engaged in said activities. Low productivity in agriculture and fishery continue to hamper the province’s economy. In the entire region, Eastern Samar had the lowest palay production. One of the major problems in the rice production is the lack of functional irrigation facilities, infestation of rice black bug and other pests and diseases and the over-dependence of farmers on coconut production. It is in this premise that the province is still importing rice from other provinces and nearby regions.

Languages
The population of the province is predominantly Waray. Less than three percent of the household population belongs to other ethnicity.

Traditions and Beliefs
Many Waray-Waray traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance is a very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. The couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around them. The belief is that the more money showered upon them, the more blessings will come their way. The culture is basically Visayan. The Waray-Waray are often stereotyped as brave warriors, as popularized in the tagline, “basta ang Waray, hindi uurong sa away” (Waray never back down from a fight.) Farming and fishing are the main livelihood. In the entire cropping season, from land preparation up to post harvest, the farmers perform rituals invoking the nature spirits and ancestor spirits for a good harvest. This is also complemented by Christian customs as the recitation of novenas (9-day). Fisherfolk likewise ask permission from the water spirits for safety at sea and a good catch. Their religious devotion is very evident in their celebrations like feasts honoring their patron saints. Fiestas are celebrated with prayer, food/drinking dance and music. Many Waray-Waray traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance is a very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. The couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around them. The belief is that the more money showered upon them, the more blessings will come their way.   

Religion
Catholics comprised 96.76 percent of the province’s household population in 2000. Other religious groups in the province are the Aglipays, Iglesia ni Kristo, Islam, Buddhists, Baptists, and Protestants from the United Church of Christ of the Philippines and other Protestant sects.  

Festivals
1. Homonhon Landing – March 16 Homonhon, Eastern Samar- Reenactment of the discovery of the Philippines in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan. 2. Karayapan Festival – March Guiuan, Eastern Samar – A colorful festival depicting how the early Guiuan Townsfolk enjoyed nature’s bounties, rich marine life, fertile land, verdant forest. It is also a thanksgiving to their Patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mother. 3. Padul-ong -September 7 A mythical presentation of how the image of the blessed Virgin was mysteriously transported to Borongan from Portugal and its connection to the Lady in White who frequented the Hamorawan Spring and caused its water to miracuously heal the locals. 4. Balangiga Incident – September 21 A commemorative pageant on the Philipine-American encounter in 1901. A reminder of the Filipinos’ quest for freedom.  

Attractions
Beautifully blessed with the splendor of nature and other inherent resources, the province boasts of at least 15 major tourist spots located in Guiuan, Borongan, Maydolong, San Julian, Taft and in other municipalities. These includes historical sites and other natural attractions which mainly consist of beaches, natural caves/springs, waterfalls and rock formation.

Popular Food
Dalu-dalu- These are snail-like slugs (see Florida Cerith) found on sea and fresh waters as well as on land. Truly delectable and succulent with gata. A bit of trick here is to suck its tail-end first so as to vacuum the main opening. Soon you’ll have an orchestra of shell suckings. A stir fried Ganga. These are the inhabitants of those shells you may have chanced upon creeping their way or hanging around banana leaves. Great with tuba or GSM blue! Lato are translucent green seaweeds best with onions and tomatoes (lato salad). Everybody’s familiar with this except that what’s offered in the restos especially in Manila, are not always as green and thickMinuron are the suman of the warays made of palawan root crops and here, wrapped in palm leaves. We brought a pack of this on the beach and I could have a mouthful of this if I wasn’t snorkeling Tamala, of the tentacled family. This one’s served kinilaw so the meat are a bit tougher. But one can have it any which way one pleases. Tulya are bivalve seashells easily picked on shallow waters. These shells creates an exquisite broth fit for a king. Grilled unicorn fish served on a banana leaf. Salukara – crepe-like delicacy that uses young coconut wine as pampatubo, in favor of baking powder Sasima is a caramel bread crumb treat which is more expensive than the tambis-tambis. This is made by using caramel to stick the bread crumbs together and hold them in one piece. It is neither hard nor is it soft like how it was before it was processed into this. I think it is largely because of the caramel which is absorbed by the small pieces of bread. Binagol is pronounced with a longer stress on the “a”. Binagol is made of a root crop named Talyan, coconut milk and sugar. It is then molded into a coconut shell. Binagol is quite sweet with the distinct tast of the root crop. Tambis-Tambis is a sweet coconut treat sprinkled with white sugar. The coconut shreds were molded with the added food coloring to give its bright and fruitful appearance and then deep friend which holds them together but still retaining the soft insides. Moron is pronounced like Morong. Moron is like the regular suman but the rice is cooked in coconut milk and mixed with a bit of cocoa. The Moron has the similar consistency of the suman and the cocoa enhances the taste. Moron is so soft that you can cut the small tube with a pair of scissors down the middle and just squeeze it out. You can go through a lot really quick.

History
Eastern Samar became an independent province by virtue of Republic Act No. 4221 which Congress approved on June 19, 1965 dividing the then existing old province of Samar into three separate provinces, namely; Northern Samar, Western Samar (subsequently renamed Samar) and Eastern Samar. A plebiscite held simultaneously with the November 1965 general elections upheld the conversion of Eastern Samar into a separate province. In 1967 the newly created province elected its first set of officials and on January 2, 1968, the provincial board had its inaugural session in the Borongan Town Hall which served as the temporary provincial capitol. Eight months later, the formal inauguration of the new province of Eastern Samar took place. Before its existence as an independent province, places which now form part of Eastern Samar played important roles in the history of our country. It was in Eastern Samar where Ferdinand Magellan landed in Homonhon Island in the town of Guiuan on March 16, 1521, in what is now officially recognized as the discovery of the Philippines by the Western World. Magellan called the place Zamal. Sustained contact with Western civilization occurred as early as 1596. Jesuit missionaries worked their way from the western coast of the island of Samar and established mission centers in what is now Eastern Samar territory. On September 28, 1901, Filipino rebels in the town of Balangiga attacked and almost wiped out American troops billeted in the municipal building and church convent. Now known in history books as the “Balangiga Massacre Day,” the incident triggered a ruthless pacification campaign by US forces aimed at turning the entire island of Samar into a “howling wilderness.” It was during this campaign that American soldiers took the Balangiga Bells from the Balangiga church as war trophies. The bells remain on display at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. On October 17, 1944, US Army rangers landed on the island of Suluan in Guiuan where they fought their first battle on Philippine territory three days before Gen. Douglas MacArthur stormed the beaches of Leyte.

Getting There
The main road network of the province runs through the major settlements and along the coastal areas from Arteche to barangay Buenavista in Quinapondan where it branches west to Lawaan and south to Guiuan. Main sources of transportation: Land Transportation Passenger buses regularly ply the Tacloban to Eastern Samar routes with final destinations in Borongan, Guiuan, Dolores, and Oras. Regular travel time from Tacloban City to Borongan via the Taft-Buray Road is approximately 4 hours and a little over three hours via the South Samar coastal route. The province is linked to Metro Manila through the Philippine-Japan Highway that traverses Western Samar to the ferry terminals in Allen and Alegria, both in Northern Samar. Buses of Silver Star Transport Line, Eagle Star Transit, and CUL Transport Line travel this route from Balangiga, Guiuan, Oras, and Borongan. The average travel time from Borongan to Metro Manila is 24 hours. Air Transportation There are two existing airports in the province but as of December 2005, there were no scheduled commercial flights to the province. The Guiuan Airport, built by the American Navy during the World War ll period, and the Borongan Airport still cater to light private planes , chartered cargo planes and military planes. The most convenient airport is at Tacloban City which is about 200 kilometers by road from Borongan. Water Transportation Inter-island shipping lines do not serve any Eastern Samar seaport. Commuter launches loading both passengers and cargoes ply the Tacloban-Guiuan route daily. Small vessels load cargoes between Borongan and Oras ports and other ports like Tacloban City, Cebu City, and Legaspi City.

Modes of  Transportation
Motorized tricycles are the means of transportation from the poblacion to the nearby barangays. Public utility jeepneys are the means of transportation between municipalities within the province. The interior municipalities of Jipapad and Maslog are presently not reached by land transportation because of the absence of roads linking them to the existing road network.

Seaports and Airports
The province has 10 ports and causeways. Borongan Port is classified as sub-port while the ports in Oras, Guiuan, Dolores, and Giporlos are considered municipal ports. Other ports or causeways are located in Arteche, San Policarpo, Sulat, Lawaan, Mercedes, Balangiga, and Tacloban.  

Crime Rate
According to the Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office, the average crime rate in Eastern Samar reached up to 96.01% from January 01- August 31, 2016.