Anatomy of A Province

PGNS
NSO
DA
VSO
BEYOND THE VISIONS AND
MISSIONS OF DEVELOPMENT
in THE PROVINCE of
NORTHERN SAMAR,
PHILIPPINES
Welcome to a look at the statistics that make up

an isolated and impoverished province that faces
the ‘typhoon’ nurseries of the Pacific Ocean and
that lacks the ability to feed itself from its own
resources.
Welcome to the land of the “Nortehanons”, where nearly 600,000 souls
[including O’King, a celibate ostrich] live. In 2005, the population of Northern Samar
grew by 42 persons a day and twenty years from now (in 2025) the population is
expected to grow even faster at 76 persons a day. The next two decades will see
the provincial population hit the 1 million mark. It will almost certainly alter the
imagery of Northern Samar; a land of simple tastes, quiet lives, and beautiful
scenery, of contrast and diversity, where Liberal politics exist side by side with a
conservative culture.
I am a Voluntary Service Overseas [VSO] volunteer based in the province, who
worked in the Southern island of Mindanao for two and a half years [Digos, Davao
del Sur and Iligan City] before moving to Samar after conducting a baseline survey
of the Caraga Region and Region V111, for VSO during 2003. This book is partly a
result of that baseline survey.
The province is friendly to its occupants, even if it is probably 20 years behind most
of the urban areas of the Philippines. It boasts no Jolibee food chain, cinema, or
mall. There is not a single taxi, nor traffic lights. In fact, although attempts are
being made to improve the situation, electricity is so unreliable in the province that
it is probably one of the restraining factors to development in the province. What it
lacks in modernity it compensates with its scenic beauty that appeals to everyone
who visits.
[Typical view of Northern Samar’s beautiful, but tsunami prone coastline, reef laden with
shallow waters]
To reach the Northern Samar capital of Catarman, a traveller can take a bus from
Manila; the journey will last between 18 and 30 hours. An alternative would be to
take the luxury of a 50 minute plane journey with Asian Spirit on Mondays,
Wednesdays or Fridays. Other than this, there is a route through to the regional
Welcome
capitol of Tacloban, some 300 kilometres away, although those of fragile nature
should carry ample cushions for the journey, as the coastal highway is severely
damaged between the towns of Calbayog and Catbalogan
In many ways the province of Northern Samar differs from the rest of the region.
It has a much higher population expansion rate. Land tenure varies across crops and
areas. It has increased its livestock and poultry flock population greater than other
provinces. It has the lowest percentage of irrigated rice land. It has the highest
change from temporary crops to permanent crops, and has the highest percentage
of land used for agricultural cropping. The province is also subjected to several
months of typhoons weather every year.
Education:
In terms of education the province has the worst achievement and diagnostic
figures of the region. Like many areas, this province has failed its youth and with
strong competition for every work opportunity, there are few jobs to satisfy the
need of those that have managed to find the resources to complete an education.
The dream of many young people in the province is to live in America and they are
trying to join the professionals that are headed that way. The ‘private sector’ or
activities within micro, small, medium, or large scale businesses and services are
quite limited. They are comprised of domestic helpers and labourers, with low skills,
mainly employed in stores and other services, casual labour in farms and marine
activities, and agricultural tenants on land.
Like other poverty stricken areas in the countryside, many people are employed in
the civil service, which is already packed with those aspiring to achieve a pension.
The school dropout rate is high, and there are serious aptitude and attitude
problems within the teaching and academic community.
The weakness of the educational system carries over into a generally weak and
ineffective non-formal and/or adult education system, which fails to provide even
the most basic information on livelihood, health, and other fundamental needs. For
example, in this day and age it astonishes many that, very few of the highschool,
college students or adults know [a] of HIV AIDS and [b] that HIV AIDS is a deadly
disease that affects ‘straight’ and ‘gay’ communities alike. The few that do know
anything about it often have serious misconceptions and often associate it with
mysticism.
This also demonstrates the lack of media access for all ages as ignorance becomes
more pervasive with the absence of useful information, which in turn strengthens
the conservatism of the mostly rural communities. For example, hidden promiscuity
is a critical issue that rarely gets discussed. It does not merit attention and
produces the typical ‘head in the sand response’: “if it doesn’t affect us, why do we
need to know of it”?
Agriculture:
Welcome
In other cultures the tillers of the land in Northern Samar would be called
‘farmers’, be they owners, tenants or leaseholders. This is so because for
generations, Samar’s ‘farmers’ have taken and used the natural assets of the soil,
without giving anything in return. The culture of ‘stewardship’ is not as pronounced
in Samar as in other parts of the Philippines such as the Cordillera highlands, where
taking care of the environment is a responsibility that comes with farming.
Rural producers often blame the soil, the weather, their poverty and the
government, yet there are poorer countries with worse conditions, which regularly
harvest two or three crops, in one year and alternate crops for seasonal income.
The tillers of the soil complain about the high cost of inorganic fertilisers and the
lack of irrigation, neither of which would resolve the basic situation. In fact, the use
of both, will hasten the depletion. The constant planting and harvesting of mono
crops and the failure to incorporate the crop residues, has destroyed their very
livelihood and the soils are no longer suitable for growing the traditional temporary
crops.
It is probably too late to begin
the use of inorganic fertilisers, as
the high nitrogen content of
these fertilisers will only create
greater acidity. The use of
‘balanced’ fertiliser is only
suitable in soils that are stable
and contain humus that will aid
the stability.
It is of little wonder that more and more tillers of temporary crops are changing to
permanent crop production. It will probably take at least a century for the soil to
start to recover. Nature is inflicting a just sentence.
Major crops such as coconut do not fare any better than the general state of
agriculture in the province. Coconut plantation owners and tenants have little use for
the hybrid varieties of coconut, knowing that these do not thrive in the province
but, refuse to improve the local variety.
Fishing:
Either through a simple fishing pole used from the beach, or the rugged deep-sea
boat that plies the sometimes dangerous ocean, fishing is an important livelihood in
an island surrounded by once rich fishing grounds. However, despite the potential
wealth from the sea fishing, incomes are in decline and will soon be unable to support
even the food needs of an average coastal-based rural family.
Welcome
Like agriculture, the marine sector produce is dwindling. This is exacerbated by the
steady increase of part-time fishermen who have been pushed off their farmlands
and illegal fishermen who use destructive fishing practices. Many out of season
farmers are taking opportunities to try their hand in inshore waters which add to
the depletion. Although a coastal province, Northern Samar now ‘imports’ 80% of its
table fish from Calbayog in Western Samar. In turn, Northern Samar exports
mudcrabs and squid to other places in the country. Reports on national television
claim that 90% of the fish stocks have gone, yet it is not known from which point of
time this is measured.
Indeed, for many months in a year, the dry clean air, fresh sun and simple lifestyle
makes Northern Samar an ideal place to visit. But dangerous clouds are in the
horizon and, as the information in this book suggests, the time to make meaningful
changes has come.
Again, welcome and enjoy a journey through the statistics that make this a
most interesting province, in which to work and play.
Welcome
An Introduction to Northern Samar:
The Province of Northern Samar
The province sits atop the island of Samar between co-ordinates 124’07’20 and 125’20’18
east and 12’43’0 north and has 24 municipalities made up of 569 barangays, many of which
hug the 240 kilometres coastline.
One of six provinces within Region VIII, Northern
Samar accounts for 13.87% of the regional
population, with 15.68% of the regional land.
However, Northern Samar has 24.83% of the
usable farmland, although the area used for palay
production, accounts only for 5.13% of this.
The population expansion rate of Nortehanons’ is
the highest in the region and one of the highest in
the nation at 2.6972% per annum, although the
population density in 2005 was a low 164.0 per
square kilometre.
Regional statistics show the importance of coconut
and abaca to this province, with 32.36% of the
coconut trees and 19.89% of the abaca trees in
the region.
At one time, banana and pineapple featured high in
agricultural production terms, but the amount of
land for these has declined, being replaced by
increases in coconut and abaca production.
Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

Likewise, both regional and provincial statistics show that permanent crop [coconut and
abaca] production is increasing at a much faster rate than temporary crop [rice and corn]
production, although vegetable production is increasing, albeit a higher percentage at
backyard level. Under the stewardship of Governor Daza and the province’s FLESHER
programme, efforts are being made to increase the production of rice and vegetables, a
much needed development package that includes the dispersal of hand-tractors and cattle.
The terrain of Northern Samar is mostly below 200 metres above sea level and reaches
above 500 metres at one place in the municipality of San Isidro. From Catarman to the
east, the whole coastal area is considered as tsunami prone and three earthquake fault
lines cross the province.
The map on the left

shows the areas that
would be affected
should a tsunami hit
the province.
The map on the left

shows the general
terrain of the
province.

The map above shows the geo-physical
hazard zones of the province, including
the three earthquake prone zones.
The biggest earthquake to effect the
province was on October 19th 1897,
registering a Richter scale measurement
of 8.1, whilst the most recent
earthquake, in 2003, was just off the
coast of Lapinig. However, the 1980s and
1990s showed considerable earthquake
action with several small to medium
earthquakes.
These informative maps were provided to the Provincial Disaster Management Office by
the German Technical Co-operation Department (GTZ). As in many areas of the Philippines,
Northern Samar has its landslide prone zones and inappropriate agriculture in the upland
areas adds yearly to the problem of potential landslides.

As can be seen from the two maps of landslide prone zones, the provincial environmental
officers’ opinion differs from GTZ in the areas of potential landslide zones.
The province is some 3,498 square kilometres, much of which is between sea level and 100
metres. The land rises to its highest point of some 580 metres above sea level in the
municipality of San Isidro. Of the total land area, 65% or 2,283 kilometres is used for
agriculture, which includes farms planted to coconut, rice, corn, and vegetables. Of the
total land area only 11.7% [409 square kilometres (40926h)] is arable. The general type
and structure of soil results in agricultural production that quickly exhausts the fertility
of the soil, and as a result, temporary crop production is on the decline.

The map above shows the extent of the forested area of the province, which has been
declining at an alarming rate since the 1950s and the map below shows the provincial
government’s designated areas of ‘Restricted agriculture’ and ‘Land slides’.
The tropical climate of this area in the Pacific Ocean varies little, although the effect of
global warming can be seen from a study of the weather data. With a mean temperature of
27.0o [range 21.9o to 32.6o], although a study shows that the minimum temperature has
declined by 1.2o and the maximum has increased by 1.8o
An average year will produce 3,243 millimetres of rain, mainly during October through
February, although more than 4,000 millimetres has been recorded in five years since
1961, when records began. Study will show that the annual rainfall has decreased by [an
average] 21.5 millimetres, although average humidity has increased by 0.5 units. Both the
average wind speed and the number of storms per annum have also increased.

Other than a small copra processing plant, the province has no industry and is totally
reliant on agricultural production, although the province is dependant on importing 65% of
its basic fresh foods and 100% of its commodity needs.
All have to come via sea from Mindanao, Luzon or Cebu, adding costs that the high
percentage of impoverished find hard to afford, whilst higher income earning
professionals drain away from the community, to seek better opportunities. It is
estimated that 65% of the province’s population is below the poverty threshold with a
further 15% on the borderline of poverty. However, the VSO survey in 2003, in rural
barangays, shows that 97% of the households interviewed were below the poverty
threshold.
On sunny weekends groups of students or extended families gather at several of the local
beaches to enjoy some time out to play. These photographs were taken on a weekday when
other activities occupy the people. These are not the tourist beaches of the brochures
and yet, the calmness of the inshore waters mask the deadly currents that sweep along
the coast and occasionally claim the lives of the unwary.
[Favourite hanging out places for the Nortehanons on sunny weekends.]

There was no intention to deliberately criticise persons or departments of Northern
Samar, only to correlate the various sources of information and to arrange these in a
presentable format, however, looking back over the completed documentation some issues
float to the surface and a few direct responses were inspired.

Nortehanons inhabit many parts of the world, taking with them a piece of the culture and
yet, few return to enjoy the family atmosphere that pervades this largely peaceful of
provinces.

Acknowledgements:
Prior to and during the course of writing this book and gathering the statistics and
other documentation, many people have given freely of their time, extending from
physically helping with the VSO survey in 2003, to helping with record validation.
Governor Raul A. Daza for his invitation to become involved with the provincial ‘Food
Security Programme’ and the opportunity to work with the provincial staff.
Raul Dones [and his staff] – Northern Samar Provincial Statistics Officer of NSO
for his unending interest, enthusiasm and support to supply statistics and to be
involved with monitoring.
Stanley Tabiando [and his staff] - Director of Northern Samar DTI office for his
support and interest to help set up the joint monitoring system with the provincial
NSO.
Pancho Lara – VSO Country Director for giving the confidence, support and freedom
to spend the time and resources to undertake the VSO survey in 2003, with the
working title of ‘Project 813’.
Sisters Maribel, Sister Lita and Sister Lydia of the Religious of the Sacred Heart,
for the many hours of debate regarding the impoverished peoples of Northern
Samar and the many cups of real coffee.
The youth of the AECS group that often challenged my thinking.
Mayor Suan of Allen, Mayor Avalon of San Roque, Mayor Balanquit of Pambujan,
Mayor Castillo of Capul, Mayor Daiz of Palapag and Mayor Irizario of Lanuza Bay for
their tolerance and support during many discussions.
David Tanner – VSO marine biologist volunteer.
Kate Boud – VSO volunteer for adding the human touch in the barangays during the
course of the interviews in which she was involved.
Abon Amanate of Northern Samar for the friendly logistical support during the
visits to this province and the many introductions made and also for the honest
debates that we had.
Celso Edos, also for giving the friendly logistical support during the visits to this
province.
The NGOs ACE, EVPRD, MODE, LMDA and CERD for the time given for discussions
regarding development in the barangays.
The staff of the Provincial Planning and Development Office [PPDO] Northern
Samar.
Acknowledgements
1
At first reading the methods used to collect the information, during the VSO 2003
survey, seem to be too informal and many may assume that this informality makes
the completed survey unusable. In fact, behind this façade of informality lies a
strict adherence to the original formal formatting of the survey.
The Basis of the 2003 Survey:
National and international agencies and organisations had independently produced
documentation to show that certain areas of the Philippines were under stress in
terms of poverty and there were sufficient statistics available to show that two
areas in particular were highlighted in these documents.
These areas are Region VIII {East Visayas} and Region XIII (East Mindanao)
The documentation available showed macro portraits of these two areas under stress
and in order to refine its strategy planning process, the end user, in this case VSO
Philippines, decided, using the macro information available, that these two areas
should become VSO focus areas and that to aid this decision making process, more
detailed information was required. The reasons given for this requirement were:
(A) The information was required to support VSO’s line of reasoning that these two
areas should be designated areas (Focus areas) for VSO’s involvement in development
within these areas. (B) That to be able to provide primary profiles of these areas at
micro level in order to be able to determine the type and number of human resources
for involvement in development to assist in meeting the needs in these areas. (C) To
establish a source of primary baseline data for the potential placement of
development advisors and (D), to provide a source of primary baseline data for
future monitoring purposes.
In formatting the questionnaire for the survey, the question “What do VSO’s
development advisors need to know about these communities that would aid them in
development involvement, in these areas?” was raised. Secondly, the national and
international information available was macro, giving the impression that ‘one size
fits all’ and that the canvassing needed to be carried out in the community ‘types’ to
better determine the differentials that pervade the development needs. This type
of survey would reflect, if not a typical type of community, common points that that
would be of use to both the end user and, if placed, the development advisors.
Given that the two areas are geographically separate, have identified wet and dry
seasons and in the main, speak different dialects, it would be of value, either using
formal or informal information, to determine any disparities between the two areas.
Contesting the one size fits all macro information available a decision was made to
target three types of blue collar communities that were largely dependent on natural
resources for livelihood incomes and avoided any canvassing in urban or sub-urban
communities. This was not to denigrate the needs of assistance in urban or sub-urban
Methodology
1
communities, but to narrow down the survey and thus provide micro portraits of
certain types of communities that have an identity.
With 85% of the Philippines population dependent on agriculture and related
livelihoods the communities selected would fall into three categories:
1 – Coastal with fishing and agriculture,
2 – Inland delta with temporary crop production agriculture and
3 – Upland with temporary and permanent crop production and forest products.
This also brought into the survey various livelihood activities that reflected altitudes
and terrains.
From this, it was determined that two distinctive sets of information could be
gathered in each community during a visit: A community profile and individual
household statistics. The poverty status of households often depends on the overall
management of a community by its democratic or dynastic leaders, be they elected
or hereditary and thus the service provision within a community can often determine
the community’s ranking within a wider area.
To gather this information, the lead canvasser determined that although the formal
formatting of the survey must be strictly adhered to, the means of canvassing would
be seen as informal, avoiding the formal structure whereby the hierarchical or
authoritative nature of the canvassers would dominate the canvassing process, in the
expectation that the respondents would provide what they thought that the
canvassers wanted to hear, rather than what was required to be known. Secondly, an
informal approach would decrease the likelihood of enumeration fatigue.
Prior to the start of the canvassing phase, the lead canvasser decided that no
previous documentation would be used to determine any direction that this survey
would take and this would avoid any bias and this again, was strictly adhered to. On
completion of the survey, any findings could be compared with existing
documentation as an exercise to weigh these findings against any others.
In most cases more than 50% of the households were canvassed and in a few cases,
there were fewer households than questionnaires. In two large communities, the
canvassing was carried out in sub-units that fitted the general focus of the survey.
In any survey, incidental information is proffered and although this is not usable in a
formal system of data gathering, it has value by helping to ‘fill out’ formal statistics.
Thus, we have the core set of data that was strictly gathered, albeit in an informal
manner and we have the supporting information, set out as part of a tour report.
Once the questionnaire was set and apart from slight changes in the presentation of
the questionnaire, no substantial changes were made.
Methodology
2
In this document, the statistics belong to Northern Samar and very little comparison
is made to other areas, although there is sufficient data available, to allow this to be
done, if required. Upon arriving in Northern Samar, the lead canvasser contacted the
only person that he knew in the province and sought his help to select three
municipalities in which to carry out the survey, the only criteria being that the three
types of barangay were to be selected in each municipality and that these were to be
randomly selected during interviews with individual mayors and their senior staff.
The three municipalities chosen were Pambujan [Mayor Lino Balanquit], Mondragon
[then Mayor Elito Dapulag] and Lavezares [Mayor Celendonio Saludaga].
The mayors were requested to select three barangays of the types described and to
make arrangements to visit these during the following two days, but please not to
‘set up’ anything formal, as the key for this survey had always been informality. The
lead canvasser was personally involved in gathering more than 60% of the information
at household level and was present at every municipal and barangay council interview.
In the barangays, a member of the barangay council was asked to assist in gathering
the information, often accompanied by another VSO member.
The barangay council and household interviews were held in a very informal manner,
often with humour and in this way, details were easily forthcoming. The barangay
councils produced record books on health and other statistics and these were used
as valid information for the survey.
At the barangay meetings, many issues were raised and these included health and
nutrition matters, seasonal income generation opportunities and problems, general
production levels, women’s issues, youth issues, development priorities, co-operation
of the municipal executives etc. At no time, 10 months before the national elections
were politics raised.
Many people have asked about the difficulty for a foreigner to gather information
from conservative rural barangays and in fact, being a foreigner helped. It was
obvious that a foreigner could not be from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, often a
great fear, or any other national agency or government department. Assurances were
given that the questionnaires would be destroyed after encryption and that no names
would be carried forward and this has been carried out. In this way, confidences
were gained and information flowed. Sometimes the Filipino love of entertaining was
shown when the barangay would provide lunch or a snack, at other times, as a thank
you the canvassing team did the honours.
As always, skills were tested and the canvassers had to answer many questions from
barangay members; from farming to barangay management, with field trips to inspect
crops, livestock or irrigation systems; once sliding majestically into a muddy drainage
canal, to the amusement of all.
Methodology
3
During every barangay council meeting, the author directed a section of the
questions specifically at the ladies present, asking the males to remain silent for a
short while, although this seemed to be very difficult for them. Whenever a male
started to answer a question directed at the ladies, the author would ask if the
speaker was female or male, to which the speaker would usually reply male and then
retreat in embarrassment. On one occasion when the author was directing questions
to the ladies, as usual a male responded and when asked if the speaker was male or
female, the speaker blushed and replied that he was indeed, both genders. An
unusually good put down in the Philippines and the author; never posed the question
again in further meetings.
The questionnaires consisted of some 270 check boxes per household and ranged
from family, household structure and household assets, livestock and land tenure
assets, household income of the main ‘breadwinner’ and working spouse and income
sources from household members working outside of the province. [N.B. The land
tenure assets refers only to available land used for agricultural production and not
homelot]
The questionnaire for the barangay councils were concerned with population
statistics, health matters and other matters detailed in the copy of the
questionnaire. During the course of any meetings, notes were taken and these were
later transcribed into a tour report for the area.
Whilst in the area, as with other areas, local market surveys were commissioned for
a ‘basket’ of food and these showed that after Catarman, Bobon was the cheapest
market, whilst Mondragon was the most expensive. All the market surveys were
carried out during the same week and thus comparative.
At the end of each day, or upon return to the base, all results of the questionnaires
were encrypted onto an Excel datasheet. Excel was used for its flexibility and the
database was set up in the following way. A file was opened for each municipality and
consisted of one sheet per barangay, a municipal sheet and a data summary sheet.
The information from each barangay, be it household or community based
information, was encrypted onto its individual sheet with the file set up to
automatically transfer the totals to the municipal sheet and these totals
automatically transferred to the data summary sheet.
In turn, the totals from each municipality were transferred to a provincial file that
contained a summary of each municipality. The totals from each province were
automatically transferred to a regional file. As the survey was undertaken in two
regions, one Region 13 and the other Region 8, a summary file was made, where the
totals from the individual regions was also automatically transferred. The
information from this was transferred to a data summary sheet, whereby the
information for each region was shown side by side and could give a direct
comparison.
Methodology
4
This allowed, if required, all information to be analysed at barangay, municipal,
provincial or regional level. Added to this, with the survey directed at coastal, inland
delta and upland barangays, this also allowed comparison between the types of
barangay at any level. From all of the information gathered, it is possible to carry out
comparisons of all household and barangay information in three different types of
barangay in two different regions. For planners, this makes very interesting reading.
The notes taken during meetings were turned into a tour report for each province
and included open remarks about many points. As a gesture of thanks, a printout of
the information gathered was sent to individual mayors for their use and many have
stated how useful this information was for them.
All told, 12,000 kilometres were travelled by motorcycle to gather the complete
survey information; riding through swampy delta areas, mountain goat tracks of
slippery red clay, sandy coastal tracks and broken concrete roads. The most
spectacular being the rides from Surigao City to Lanuza Bay, over the barren Red
Mountain running along the cragged coastline and the beautiful coastline of Samar,
through to Northern Samar.
In any survey, there are many variables that come to light and to follow all of these
through, would take academics, anthropologists and development experts many years
to reach a conclusion and in any given situation, there are various conclusions that can
be reached. The object of this survey was to provide VSO Philippines with one of
many tools used to determine its next strategical move as a development agency
resident in the Philippines. Development agencies resources are finite and have to be
used in the most appropriate way within a given area, regardless of whether or not
this focuses on a particular area, a particular situation or a particular mandate
handed down from the agencies policy makers. This survey was part of a process and
as part of a process, proffered the most up to date information available at the time
and did not take account of too many of the variables, otherwise the process would
still be underway.
This documentation takes the information from the VSO survey and correlates this
with three other sources of information from the province. Anomalies exist when
correlated with other sources of information and this may provoke further studies.
Experience would show that further studies would widen the number of variables and
thus, start a process of endless evaluation that has neither meaning nor substance.
Methodology
5
Sample monitoring sheets:
Methodology
6
Methodology
7
Incomes:
No document dealing with incomes in a development situation can ignore the poverty
circumstances and yet there are many inconclusive debates about the cause, or root
causes of what makes people or communities impoverished. Using ‘international
standards’ has some value, but these seldom take into account the cultures and
although a ‘global village’, many cultures do not look at poverty in the same way as do
international agencies. Nor do many international agencies take into account ‘cultural
preferences’, whereby sectors of communities do or do not have something, because
they have a preference for this and nothing else will do; they are using their cultural
preference regardless of whether or not this is considered a poverty indicator by
project planners. Too often the labels of ‘Macro’ and ‘Micro’ are insufficient to meet
the needs to portray a situation, leaving no room for the multitude of variables that
make up ‘a community’.
For example, how far do we accept the culturally specific gender issues, as raised by
the western nations, but accepted as normal and preferred by the communities
under consideration for development? We may be sincere in trying to improve
lifestyles, but why then do we interfere with age-old cultural practices? A
household that is at subsistence or subsistence plus level is sustainable and yet,
under United Nations (UN) criteria these are impoverished. Many people state the
obvious that the lack of income is the cause, but what causes this lack of income?
The table below poses questions, in order to ‘narrow down’ possible poverty causes:
Is it lack of opportunity to earn an income, or laziness?
Is it because people are denied access to agricultural land and other resources?
Is the prime resource in such poor condition that it is not possible to earn a
sustainable income?
Is it the lack of capital investment in processing and infrastructure that
reduces the incomes to below the poverty level?
Is it the hierarchical and feudal nature of the culture that restrains the
impoverished from progressing?
Is it the demands to finance education for the family that puts strains on the
limited resources to not only produce more, but to also produce more often?
Is the population growth rate outstripping the ability of the resources to
provide the basic needs?
Is it the long rainy season from October to February that restricts income
generation opportunity and reduces the growth potential of a family?
Has corruption denied the low-income and marginal households the opportunity
to progress?
Is it the poor implementation of labour laws that keeps the impoverished so?
Is it the poor collection of businessmen’s tax revenue that has held back
central capital investment?
Is it correct to put more burdens on the women, as providers?
Incomes
1
Do we also ignore the centuries old customs and practices that have formed the
present day culture of a community? All cultures have their poor and even in the
most modern and wealthy western democracies, poverty exists. The rich rely on the
poor to carry out the menial tasks for the lowest possible income; otherwise none
would be left to carry out these tasks. The systems in the Philippines, despite a
democracy, are hierarchical and feudal and that is the way in which it will be kept.
One obvious conclusion is that the rich are getting richer, off the backs of the poor
and marginal. Whilst many projects are aimed at the poor, the plight of those on the
borderline needs addressing.
The soils are poor and many are no longer suitable to produce food crops.
It is the farmers and land owners that are responsible for the poor soil fertility,
no one else. Their absolute failure to invest or reinvest in the basic assets has
and will continue to be a major restraint.
It is also the failure of the people to invest in themselves’, always with the
expectation that others will invest on their behalf.
The farmers are forced to turn from temporary to permanent crops, as a means
of sustaining family security or fund education. Many of the permanent crops are
non-food.
The farmers and fisher folk are reliant on lines of credit to survive.
The communities are habituated to poverty and are apathetic to change.
The farmers and fisher folk have abused their resource assets by not conserving
the basics. However, the rich have encouraged this for short-term gain.
The lack of capital investment on infrastructure and processing is a factor.
Poor tax revenue generation restricts local governments’ investment plans.
The feudalistic system does exacerbate poverty.
Land resources are restricted.
There is little or no culture of savings discipline.
Profits from local resources are invested outside of the province.
The local food production cannot keep pace with the population expansion rate
and the province will have to import a higher percentage of basic foods to keep
pace with the population.
The poor implementation of the labour laws is a factor and businessmen take
advantage of the impoverished to enhance untaxed profit and minimum wage laws
are ignored.
The rising cost of crude oil has an affect on basic foods and all commodities, in
terms of transport and production aids.
The education system is geared towards maintaining the existing status quo.
The long rainy season does affect the ability to sustain a nutritious diet for the
low-income households.
Gender ‘role modelling’ starts very early, restricting the ability of the women to
achieve.
Incomes
2
Many of the problems associated with the poverty are cultural and it would take an
anthropologist many years to unravel these complexities. It is the ‘Domino effect’ of
many factors that has created this poverty, but who is to say that the subsistence
level, small farmer considers himself to be impoverished and not content with what
he has.
This section of the review looks at the household incomes of coastal, inland delta
and upland barangays and shows the variance of those totally dependent on fishing
or agriculture and looks at those that also have access to copra production. With
various national statistics showing ‘average’ incomes to be between P9,000 and
P13,000 and that those below P9,000 are considered below the poverty ‘line’; it is
time to the ‘working’ barangays. If the level of P9,000 is used, it shows that 97.09%
of the residents in the VSO Northern Samar surveyed barangays are below the
poverty threshold. Most families interviewed were in the P2,000 to P4,000 range;
showing that approximately 65% of this province’s households earn less than P3,500
per month.
This table shows the dependence of the households, in the various barangay types
on different livelihoods. That coastal barangays are 36.96% dependent on
agriculture is surprising. The 15.22% who are dependant on business, is often
vending of fresh and dried fish.
Agriculture Fishing Business Other
Coastal 36.96% 47.83% 15.22% 0.00%
Inland Delta 76.60% 0.00% 17.02% 6.38%
Upland 85.11% 0.00% 8.51% 6.38%
Comparison on Various Livelihoods per Barangay Type by Percentage

90% 85.11%
76.60%
80% Coastal Inland Delta Upland
70%
60%
47.83%
50%
36.96%
40%
30%
15.22%17.02%
20% 8.51% 6.38% 6.38%
10%
0%
Incomes
3
For this example, nine barangays were randomly selected to give a ‘flash’ survey and
although not a very large, the survey reflects the income sources and gives certain
useful indicators. These show that:
Source
Agriculture 51.94%
Fishing 32.28%
Business 12.38%
Other 3.40%
‘Other’ includes salaried and wage earning, permanent and casual
The table above shows that householders may have partial incomes from more than
one source and the survey showed that some farmers go fishing part time and that
some fishermen also farm. Incomes derived from fishing include those that fish the
rivers.
Further selection of the barangays with least average monthly incomes shows that,
an average household earns P2,853 per month, with Upland barangays averaging
P2,381, inland delta P3136 and coastal P3,000 per month.
Another means of selection shows that the average monthly household income is
P3,021.43 and given the above average of P2,853 and the average below of P3,021, a
further averaging results in an overall average of P2,937.
Coastal 2891.30
Inland Delta 3212.77
Upland 2957.45
Overall Average 3021.43
There is no doubt that the Extended [or Reformed] Value Added Tax, [E-VAT], will
make an impact on the daily lives and household economics of the low-income
families. Many of the extended taxes are indirect and thus cause involuntary
increases in household expenditure. As an example of this, government
documentation shows that the estimated value of rice will rise by 0.05% or P0.01
[one Centavo] per kilogram at the 10% E-VAT rate. With the additional fuel and
energy costs of rice milling, an increase of 0.05% seems very optimistic.
In a joint exercise by the provincial offices of the NSO and DTI, together with the
author, a small monitoring project was set up and aimed at monitoring some of the
most likely commodities that would affect these families. Already available was the
fresh market produce monitoring database and it was relatively simple to use the
existing monitoring systems of the NSO and DTI. Each week, on a given day, the
selected commodities were monitored for two months before the implementation of
the E-VAT law in November 2005.
The intention was to monitor the selected commodities through to January 2005 to
determine two main points. Firstly to monitor the prices relative to the seasonal
change, when many commodities rise, at a time when work opportunities for the low-
Incomes
4
income families, from November, reduces. Secondly the affect of the introduction
of E-VAT and fuel price rises on many commodities required monitoring. It was
generally found [at the 10% rate] that pre-packaged commodities fluctuated very
little, whilst ‘loose’ commodities such as sugar, rice, dried fish, salt, fuels and LPG
gas varied inconsistently. There will probably be a greater impact when the 12% E-
VAT is employed.
At the beginning of the last quarter of 2005, the international crude oil market
prices spiralled upwards and then dipped and this had a significant affect, even
before the E-VAT was implemented. Overall, the commodity monitoring showed that
many pre-packed commodities stayed reasonably stable, whilst fresh and loose
commodities rose. Added to this, the steep increases in fuel prices affected
everything. During the first five weeks of the monitoring the value of the
commodities rose from P776.77 to P849.46, an increase of 9.36%, with some
showing greater increases than this. Fuel and electricity costs had been monitored
for longer than this. Prior to the E-VAT implementation, electricity costs had risen
by 2.13% over two months, to reach P6.51 per unit cost and rising with E-VAT to
P7.12 per unit charged and fuel, at one time, had risen to 17.08% over the same
period, before settling to around 11.7%.
16%
This Establishes August (0%) as the 14.91%
Point From Which the Percentage
14%
Increases Have Been Measured.
11.70%
12%
10%
8% 7.34%
6%
4%
2%
0.00%
0%
Sept Oct Nov Dec
-2%
These are burdens that it is hard for any low-income family to absorb, especially at
a time of year when work opportunity declines. Mitigating excise tax given to the
fuel companies makes little difference in this province, due to the distances that
the fuel has to be carried. Add in profiteering by the local gas stations to the
misery, especially when there is a shortage of fuel.
All of these increases may have the affect that there will be greater pressure on
agriculture to provide income from coconut and abaca, as these are readily available,
although the prices are very low at this time of year, dropping from P18 at its peak
Incomes
5
to P7 or P8 and has been known to go lower than this. Coconut could be considered as
‘the poor mans bond’, readily cashed when required. There will be a temptation to
cut abaca early. Both of these will delay income in the new year, but traders will
take any advantage to gain these two commodities at low prices.
This ties in with the “Annual Poverty Cycle of the Province” a chapter further into
this document. Overall, there is a need to improve the short-term economics
together with the mid and long-term.
11
Typical Barangays Average Monthly Income by Number of Households
10
9
A (Coastal) B (Inland Delta) C (Upland)
8
4
3
2
1
0
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000
The survey also wanted to look at the amount of cash savings available, but this data
proved to be very difficult to collect and the section of the survey was abandoned.
The modest amount of information gained from this, showed that it was only the
women that had saved a few Pesos.
The survey showed that the average monthly income of the three sectors as follows:
Livelihood sector Peso
Coastal 3205.36
Inland Delta 3212.77
Upland 2957.45
Average 3150.49
Incomes
6
3200 3136
3000 Average Monthly Incomes of Example Barangays
3000
2853
2800
2600
2381
2400
2200
2000
A (Coastal) B (Inland Delta) C (Upland) Average
P1000 P2000 P3000 P4000 P5000 P6000

Coastal 3.62% 18.94% 30.92% 6.69% 11.14% 11.70%
Inland Delta 4.64% 17.22% 27.81% 13.25% 9.93% 3.97%
Upland 4.32% 24.46% 28.06% 5.76% 14.39% 8.63%
P7000 P8000 P9000 P10000 P11000 P12000

Coastal 5.85% 2.23% 0.00% 5.57% 0.00% 3.34%
Inland delta 4.64% 10.60% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 7.95%
Upland 0.00% 5.76% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 8.63%
Included in the average monthly household incomes are the additional incomes from
working wives and absentee household members. Those working wives that are wage
earning or salaried are included as breadwinners. The table below shows income from
roadside vending, handicrafts, native alcohol production, seasonal work and other
activities.
Partner's Income Income from an Absentee household member
Coastal P612 P91
I Delta P971 P531
Upland P1020 P95
Many surveys have overlooked the contribution that a working partner or mother
makes to a household and the importance of this hard-earned contribution. The
following graph shows that on average, a working partner contributes 28.51% to the
household income every month and the graph may also be a good indicator of the
level of success of the livelihood of the main earner.
In some ways, females are more ‘employable’ than males, given the need of
storeowners or urban households for cheap labour and the large percentage of
women in LGU offices speaks of the need for income generation. It could also be
said that the number of women in LGU offices speaks of the women’s efforts to
Incomes
7
have gained an education, opening these doors to opportunity. It could be
determined that there will be greater burdens put on the women to become
providers, although, as stores and other potential employers experience higher
costs, it is likely that they will offer less in remuneration and due to the household
economic stress, many will be forced to accept.
The ages of women in the workforce range from 15 to 64 years, making up 49.25%
of the working population, yet overall, consisted of 48.87% of the total population
[2004]. Women in the stores receive on average P1,200 to P1,400 per month,
working 12 hour days and often ‘living over the store’ to be unpaid maids or yayas
during the evening. Some state that they only receive P800 per month from the
stores and are forced to accept this low wage due to the competition for work. One
day a month leave is not unusual, with some only getting a half-day. It has become
increasingly noticeable that there are more 13, 14 and 15-year-old girls working in
the stores and all have sad tales about being forced to help the family provide
income and the lack of money for school attendance. Some of the older female
workers are mothers, some unmarried mothers, with their children left in the care
of grandparents, often treating their real mother’s as visitors and the grandparents
as parents.
In the economic climate, few girls have little choice but to be farmed out to a
relative as a housemaid, receiving nothing other than food and lodging. Some get to
go to school but many do not and all this achieves is some economic relief for the
parents, who may believe that their daughter is better off.
There is often a social consequence that allows a working partner to work and this is
that it is likely that a daughter may miss the opportunity for an education, to take
the role of surrogate mother and stay at home.
Partner's % Main Earner's % Comparison of Monthly Household Income Sources
84.45%
90%
80% 71.49%
65.33% 65.50%
70%
60%
50%
34.67% 34.50%
40% 28.51%
30%
15.55%
20%
10%
0%
Coastal Inland Delta Upland Average
Incomes
8
All Barangays - Average Household Monthly INcome 2003 by Percentage
35%
Coastal Inland Delta Upland
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000
The following graphs show the average monthly household income of the barangays
in the 2003 VSO survey. This shows that the average barangay family earns $52 per
month ($625 per annum). (Coastal $53, Inland delta $53 and Upland $49)
Coastal Barangay - Average Household Monthly Income 2003 by

35% Percentage
30.92%
30%
25%
18.94%
20%
15%
11.14% 11.70%
10% 6.69% 5.85% 5.57%

3.62% 3.34%
5% 2.23%
0.00% 0.00%
0%
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000
Incomes are often very seasonal and the incomes described here are for an ‘average
’month. When questioned, working wives stated that they work to ensure that the
basic foods are affordable and to help with the costs of sending children to school.
Incomes
9
Many household incomes are supplemented by additional activities such as pig
fattening, fruit and vegetable sales, vending etc; with native alcohol production very
popular to meet a substantial market requirement.
Inland Delta Barangay - Average Household Monthly Income 2003 by

Percentage
30% 27.81%
25%
20% 17.22%
15% 13.25%
9.93% 10.60%
10% 7.95%
4.64% 3.97% 4.64%

5%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0%
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000
Those in the higher range of incomes are usually wives that work for the local
municipal government in teaching and other posts, or have official barangay
positions.
Upland Barangay - Average Household Monthly Income 2003 by

30% 28.06% Percentage
24.46%
25%
20%
14.39%
15%
8.63% 8.63%
10%
5.76% 5.76%
4.32%
5%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0%
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000
Incomes
10
The following graph shows that those earning between P1,000 and P5,000 per month
are in the majority; averaging between 60% and 63%.
All Barangays P1000 to P5000 per Month Average Income by Percentage
64% 62.91%
63% 62.59%
63%
62%
62%
61%
61% 60.17%
60%
60%
59%
59%
Out of 206 households questioned, 124 (60.19%) owned or leased land and 82
(39.81%) were landless. In the coastal barangays, 37.23% of households owned or
leased land. (This is land used for agriculture and does not include land for homesteads)
Only 37.62% had the security of ownership whilst 62.38% had no long-term security
of tenure.
Landless Owns Leases All Barangays Land Tenure by Percentage

70%
62.77%
60%
50% 46.81% 46.81% 46.81%
39.81%
36.17% 37.62%
40%
30.32%
30%
22.57%
20% 17.02%
10% 6.91% 6.38%
0%
Coastal Inland Delta Upland Overall
Of the 124 households that had some tenure form, 56.50% (range 100% to 17.39%)
depended wholly or partially on coconuts for income. (Note: Owned or leased land does
not include homesteads and deals only with land usable for agricultural).
Incomes
11
Household Land Tenure by % 2003
45%
39.81%
40% 37.62%
35%
30%
25% 22.57%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Landless Ow n land Lease land
The following three graphs show the variances in land tenure (2003) of the coastal,
inland delta and upland barangays and shows that the many of the coastal
householders are subject to the whims of landowning families, with 63% landless and
often dependent for off-season income generation from farming activities.
70%
Coastal Barangay HouseholdLand Tenure 2003 by Percentage
60%
63.39%
50%
40%
29.91%
30%
20%
6.70%
10%
0%
Landless Owned Leased
Incomes
12
Inland Delta Barangay Household Land Tenure 2003 by Percentage
46.81%
50%
40% 36.17%
30%
20%
17.02%
10%
0%
Upland Barangay Household Land Tenure 2003 by Percentage

46.81% 46.81%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10% 6.38%
0%
The upland barangays fair much better with land ownership that in the 2003 VSO
survey showed an equal amount owned and tenanted (or leased).
The following graph shows the dependence on coconut by type of barangay:
100% 94.00%
Barangay Households Dependent on Coconut for Income
90%
80%
67.55%
70%
60%
50%
37.08%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Coastal Inland delta Upland
Annual Poverty Cycle of the Province:
Incomes
13
During the course of writing this book certain issues arose that were related to the
rising cost of fuel and the implementation of the E-VAT laws. With the province
suffering its typhoon and storm season from October through February, it became
necessary to determine the increased affect of impoverishing further the low-
income families. It was found that:
From October through February paid work opportunity in the agricultural, fishing
and construction industries can go down by as much as 28%.
During November, December and January each year the prices in the fresh market
in Catarman can rise between 5% and 28% above normal. Many dry goods also rise at
this time of year and both are caused by the inability of the ships that carry the
trucks bringing the basic foods and commodities to the province.
Therefore, it became obvious that there were poverty stress issues from October
through February in the low-income households that required analysis.
By asking many in the industries and those that monitor some of the seasonal
events, a picture emerged of the likely work pattern of those industries affected by
heavy rains or typhoons and the following graph is a result of this.
105%
100%
95%
90%
85%
80% Northern Samar
75% Low-Income Household
70% Work Opportunity Monitoring
65%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Thus, if work opportunities and consequentially incomes are reduced, there is a

reduction in the spending power of the families that must vary with the seasons and
this would also relate to the availability and prices in the ‘fresh’ markets. The
following graph shows the fluctuations in the price for a basket of 30 fresh items.
Zero percent acting as the average price for the basket of foods.
Incomes
14
6% 5.26%
5%
Monthly 'Fresh' Market Price Fluctuations - Northern Samar
4%
3% 2.57%
2.10% 2.00%
1.66%
2% 1.34%
1%
0.05%
0%
-0.09%
-1% -0.43%
-2% -1.58% -1.59%

-3%
-2.99%
-4%
When the work opportunity statistics are aligned with the market prices, this
results in a graph showing a monthly ‘standard of living index’
10%
5.43%
2.99% 3.34% 3.66% 3.00%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
-8.41%
-9.91%
-15%
-13.42%
-20%
-20.05%
-25% Low-Income Households
-22.57%
"Monthly Spending Power Index"
-30% -27.10%
-35%
-33.26%
-40%
This shows that during the months May through August, household incomes are at
their best and the market price for food is more stable and less expensive. The
other side of the coin on this is that November through to March, incomes are
insufficient to be able to purchase the same basket of food items, as incomes are
lower and market prices are higher.
Incomes
15
There is little wonder now, with this evidence, why the province of Northern
Samar revolves around a continual poverty cycle and without investment in
processing and permanent crop expansion; this cycle will continue. With the
dramatic increases in fuel prices and the implementation of E-VAT during the
latter part of 2005, the province of Northern Samar will probably slip
backwards and those that were on the marginal level will now join those below
the poverty level and increase all burdens on the municipal and provincial
social services. From a revolving pattern that keeps Northern Samar 20
years behind the rest of the Philippines, the province will probably now slide
further behind. Only heavy investment and some social and health support
programmes are likely to arrest the situation. With the province showing as
75th poorest of 79 provinces, there is a need to further study the basics.
The survey also showed that on average only 56.36% of those under the age of
eighteen years attended elementary or highschool education, with the upland
barangays showing the highest school attendance rate.
This is borne out by field research, which showed the determination of some of the
youth to gain education, although some upland barangays lacked elementary schools.
The children hiked to nearby barangays that have elementary schools. Those wishing
to attend highschool, stayed with relatives in the central municipal areas. However,
there is a strange phenomenon; many are keen to attend school, yet few have the
drive to learn. Perhaps this is a sad reflection on the teachers that do not make
education interesting enough to tempt the youth to learn. With so much emphasis on
the expensive façade of graduation ceremonies, beginning at kindergarten, one
wonders if the ceremony itself and the ‘public image’ gained is of significant
importance.
Livelihood sector Elementary & Highschool Elementary

Coastal 56.79% 38.61%
Inland Delta 48.64% 31.92%
Upland 63.66% 49.29%
Average 56.36% 39.94%
If related to average monthly household incomes, it shows that the lowest income
earners have the highest number of children in education and that the highest
income earners have the lowest number of children in education. The survey results
do show that, where there are working mothers (external income) with money
available from their labours; more children are in education. From this, it could be
determined that the working mother in a low-income family works to ensure that
Incomes
16
basic foods are available and to educate her young. This also establishes that the
role of school aged children is an important factor in the economics of the
household.
Household Assets:
The table below shows the type of materials used for household construction and
shows that the inland delta communities have invested least in household structure
yet have invested most in iron sheets for the roofs.
Bamboo or Nipa walls Block walls Iron roof Nipa roof
Coastal 62.50% 37.50% 12.50% 87.50%
Inland Delta 97.87% 2.13% 28.72% 71.28%
Upland 76.60% 23.40% 25.53% 74.47%
Average 78.99% 21.01% 22.25% 77.75%
However, the use of nipa panels for roofs and blocks walls are not always a useful
guide for poverty indicating, as many householders explained that they did not like
iron sheet roofs or block walls because of the excessive heat produced. This is a
‘social preference’ and must be taken into account when poverty indicating.
Another factor that may need to be taken into consideration is the fact that the
cost of transporting materials to the upland barangays may be restrictive and that,
as they are abundant supplies of coconut fronts available, many use these and are
prepared to replace them regularly. It is only possible to reach some interior
barangays by river and the charge for the boat trip is P150 one-way. Therefore, it is
very unlikely that large goods for homebuilding would be carried.
Other household assets such as televisions are often dependent on power being
supplied to a barangay and more coastal and inland delta barangays will be
electrified than upland and therefore not always useful as a poverty indicator.
TV Radio Motorcycle
Coastal 25.89% 58.04% 6.25%
Inland Delta 19.15% 55.32% 10.64%
Upland 8.51% 48.94% 2.13%
The percentage of radios owned can be used as an indicator, as these are not
dependent on electrical power.
Poverty Indicating:
The whole process of poverty indicating needs to be reviewed pertinent to these
local situations, where social preference, the cost of transportation and other
factors, erode the given concepts of poverty. No longer is it safe to assume that
existing criteria are suitable. Perhaps it is time to determine decisive factors of
‘core statistics’ that can be used by all.
Livestock:
Incomes
17
Livestock have an important role in household economics, although in the Philippines,
this role is not as important (economically or socially) as some Asian countries.
There seems to be little or no ‘social status’ attached to the ownership of livestock
here and for the purposes of this review, only female livestock of breeding age have
been considered, although data is available for males and young livestock. All
households have been considered for this, as some households have livestock,
although they own no land. Any reference to poultry includes only those for meat
and egg laying (Table poultry) and not for sporting activities.
90% Coastal Inland Delta Upland Average Household Livestock Ow ned
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Carabao Cattle Goat Sw ine Poultry Duck
As expected the inland delta barangays own the highest percentage of carabao and
ducks. The lower percentage of table poultry in the coastal barangays reflects the
diet, which would be augmented by fresh fish. Inland delta farmers view goats as
pests and the absence of these is not surprising. The survey had expected to find
more householders with breeding female swine, although the survey showed that, at
the time of the survey, only 16.50% of householders were fattening piglets. (This
survey was carried out during the middle part of the year, prior to most municipal
and barangay fiestas.)
Female Livestock Owned
Carabao Cattle Goat Swine Poultry Duck
Coastal 12.33% 3.09% 1.09% 30.91% 51.30% 1.09%
Inland Delta 53.82% 0.00% 0.00% 21.09% 76.91% 8.00%
Upland 29.36% 2.27% 4.00% 28.00% 70.36% 6.27%
Overall 25.24% 2.43% 1.46% 30.10% 59.71% 3.88%
The 2002 NSO data shows that there was 62,036 swine in the province and the
provincial database shows that there were 99,642 households. This averages
62.26% of households with swine. The 2003 VSO survey shows that 61.65% of
households own swine. This is less than 1.00% variance and is acceptable for
statistical analysis.
Agricultural Incomes:
Incomes
18
The competition for income from agricultural production has promoted several
changes, not least of which, is the increase in permanent crops compared with the
reduction in producing temporary crops. The root cause of these changes is due to
the poor and declining quality of the soil and it is predicted that these changes will
multiply over the next five years.
Movement from Temporary to Permanent Crops Trends

Permanent Temporary Fallowed
3.00% 2.14%
2.03%
1.79%
2.00%
1.00%
0.00%
-0.05%
-1.00% -0.30% -0.31%
-0.53%
-2.00%
-3.00%
-3.00%
-4.00% -3.47%
AP EV NS
These changes in crop production reflect a greater need to diversify in order to

sustain a monthly income. More farmers go part time fishing and more fishermen are
farming at backyard level and making more use of their coconut trees. The virtual
cessation of fallowing between crops is indicative of the pressure to improve or
sustain an income, yet the long-term need to maintain soil fertility and structure has
been sacrificed.
Using the average production yields shows that in one year the typical income from
palay production is P12,000 per hectare, whilst the typical income from abaca is
P21,000 per hectare. As economics force greater input reductions in palay
production, it is very likely that more farmers will switch to abaca. Higher
investment inputs for abaca are unlikely at this time, but with encouragement, abaca
farmers may be persuaded to invest more.
The following graphs show the general declines in some temporary and permanent
crops:
Incomes
19
Hectares Northern Samar's Corn Planting 1960 - 2002
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
50,000
Northern Samar's Palay Plantings 1960 - 2002 (hectares)
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Northern Samar's Pineapple Production (Tonnes)
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
Y1993 Y1994 Y1995 Y1996 Y1997 Y1998 Y1999 Y2000 Y2001 Y2002 Y2003 Y2004
Incomes
20
Northern Samar's Banana Production (Tonnes)
16000
13037 Banana Expon. (Banana)
14000
12000
10000
8000
5163
6000
4000
2000
0
Y1993 Y1994 Y1995 Y1996 Y1997 Y1998 Y1999 Y2000 Y2001 Y2002 Y2003 Y2004
6,000
5,684
1960-2003 Northern Samar Area Forested - Hectares
5,000
4,000
3,000 2,983
2,477
2,000
1,000
625
179
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
To counter the declines in some crops, the following graphs show the steady
increase in the production of abaca and coconut. Farmers and landowners, without
promotion, are moving over to the more reliable sources of income that these
permanent crops give.
NS Abaca Production (Tonnes)

7000
Abaca Expon. (Abaca)
6000 5215
5000
4000
3026
3000
2000
1000
0
Y 1993 Y 1994 Y 1995 Y 1996 Y 1997 Y 1998 Y 1999 Y 2000 Y 2001 Y 2002 Y 2003 Y 2004
Incomes
21
Millions
14
12
10
6
Northern Samar's Coconut plantings 1960- 2002
4
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Livestock and alternative crop production may yet see greater increases, as the
demand for income generation grows and with a general swing to homelot production,
the province’s yield of vegetables and fruits will probably increase.
In general terms, farmers are changing to production types that are more
economically reliable and abandoning those that are not. The longer-term affects of
these are healthier for the province’s economy, although this will mean that a higher
percentage of table rice will be imported.
The traditional fisherman will always be a fisherman and nothing will change this and
yields will continue to decline. It is likely that the number casual fishermen will
increase and this will harm the existing fishing industry. However, attempts to
promote fish farming show promise and should be encouraged.
Incomes
22
Services
This section looks at the services available in the municipal barangays, and compares,
where possible, the municipal LGU’s response to the needs of its population. Often,
the services available within the barangays help to determine the population’s ability
to earn income. Using three municipalities only as a sample may be criticised, yet the
intention of a random survey is to rapidly gather information that may be
representative of an area.
The number of teachers and classrooms affects the educational standard of a
barangay, as does the aptitude and attitude of the teachers. The number of
barangay health workers (BHWs) also has a great affect, although these positions
are often gratuitous rather than professional.
Out of the nine barangays used for this comparison, only three have barangay
nutrition scholars (BNSs) and only one barangay provided reproductive health
support for women and none provided family planning aids. Of the nine barangays
only five have health clinics and five had regular monthly visits from the municipal
midwife. One barangay saw the municipal midwife once in three months and three
stated that they rarely saw the municipal midwife.
Malnourishment:
A clear indicator of municipal input and poverty are the percentage of pre-school
children that are affected with malnutrition and the following table shows the levels
as determined during the VSO 2003 survey. These statistics were provided direct
from barangay records.
Each year, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) monitors the malnourished children
and provides a report on the findings. However, at this time, the PHO statistics are
not available at barangay level and deeper analysis of the statistics by barangay
type is not possible.
2003 Municipality ‘A’ Municipality ‘B’ Municipality ‘C’ Average
Severe 9.38% 5.52% 9.83% 8.24%
Moderate 37.39% 31.68% 51.09% 40.05%
Mild 53.23% 62.80% 39.08% 51.70%
Using the barangay statistics, it is possible to show the levels of pre-school
malnourishment by type of barangay and this shows that the upland barangays have
by far the most problems of severe malnourishment.
2003 Coastal Inland delta Upland Average
Severe 3.72% 10.00% 17.79% 10.50%
Moderate 35.55% 51.72% 39.66% 42.31%
Mild 60.73% 38.28% 42.55% 47.19%
This is a useful means of identifying not only the municipalities that have problems
of severe and moderate malnourishment, but also helps to identify types of
barangays where most malnourishment problems are likely to occur, and clearly
Services
1
shows that attention should be given to the upland barangays. That there are only
three barangay nutrition scholars for the nine barangays does little to address the
needs.
Coastal Inland delta Upland Malnourished by Barangay Type- VSO 2003

70% 61.33%
57.14%
60% 53.76%
50%
40% 34.38% 33.12% 32.95%
30%
20% 13.29%
9.74%
10% 4.30%
0%
Severe Moderate Mild
An overall comparison shows that in 2003, 8.40% of the pre-school children were
severely malnourished and 46.14% were moderately malnourished.
Severe, Moderate & Mildly Malnourished Overall Statistics

Severe, 8.40%
Mild, 45.45%
Severe
Moderate Moderate,
Mild 46.14%
The provincial statistics for 2003 showed that 1.92% of the pre-schoolchildren
were severely malnourished and 10.33% were moderately malnourished; an overall
average of 12.26%, which differs greatly from the VSO survey. On the overall
municipal figures, it is possible to show a ranking of municipalities, thus identifying
those that require some form of support to reduce the problem.
Services
2
2003 Provincial Statistics for Severely & Moderately Malnourished
pre-SchoolChildren
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Las Navas 23.03%
San Vicente 20.80%
Mapanas 17.78%
Bobon 17.75%
Victoria 17.41%
Mondragon 16.88%
Laoang 16.83%
Catubig 14.88%
Pambujan 14.45%
Rosari o 12.40%
Gamay 12.19%
Average 12.02%
San Roque 11.79%
Lapinig 11.61%
Lavezares 11.60%
Capul 11.33%
San Jose 9.70%
San Isidro 9.53%
Bi ri 8.53%
Allen 8.27%
Catarman 8.20%
Lope de Vega 8.06%
San Antoni o 6.07%
Silvi no Lobos 5.05%
Palapag 4.03%
This graph shows that in 2003, seven municipalities had rates of more than fifteen
percent malnourishment in pre-school children. Of nine barangays interviewed in
2003, only three had Barangay Nutrition Scholars [BNS] and a general comparison
showed that each Barangay Health Worker [BHW] had, on average 254 residents to
attend to, straining any resources. It was also noted that many BHWs seemed to be
social appointees and not always suitable for the task.
Services
3
2004 Provincial Statistics for Severely & Moderately Malnourished pre-School
Children
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%
Las Navas 13.87%
Laoang 12.59%
Catarman 10.33%
Pambujan 8.21%
Palapag 7.03%
Mondragon 6.75%
Lavezares 4.81%
Average 4.17%
San Isidro 4.15%
Mapanas 4.10%
Catubig 3.87%
Bobon 3.58%
Lapinig 3.35%
San Roque 2.88%
San Jose 2.50%
Gamay 2.36%
Allen 2.12%
Lope de Vega 1.70%
Biri 1.42%
Victoria 1.27%
San Vicente 1.04%
Capul 0.90%
San Antonio 0.57%
Rosario 0.57%
Silvino Lobos 0.05%
The graph for 2004 shows some improvements over 2003 although Las Navas and
Laoang still feature with high figures. It should also be noted that more elderly folk
show signs of malnourishment since incomes become harder to earn and the cost of
basic nutritious foods continues to rise.
Services
4
Health services:
Barangay councils provide the primary health services by the provision of barangay
health workers (BHWs), trained birth attendants and often barangay nutrition
scholars (BNS). In the municipalities that were surveyed the provision of barangay
health workers can be critical to the health of a barangay and the barangay
population per BHW can often determine the attitude of the health workers.
Municipality BHWs Population Population per BHW
Municipality ‘A’ 8 3946 493
Municipality ‘B’ 5 2944 589
Municipality ‘C’ 30 4031 134
The above table shows that Municipality ‘C’ attempts to better assure the health of
its population by the provision of BHWs and their population per BHW is highly
commended. However, the municipal comparison of malnourished show that
Municipality ‘C’ has the highest number of severe and moderately malnourished pre-
school children and this shows that the quantity of BHWs may be sufficient but
that the quality may be lacking.
Barangay Residents to Health Workers
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Coastal 236
Inland delta 227
Upland 286
Overall 254
Of the nine barangays, only five had a health clinic and very few had any equipment
or basic remedies. Only in one barangay was there any reproductive health seminars
for women and no barangay had supplies of family planning aids. The lack of family
planning aids is mostly determined by the provincial health office.
Services
5
Reproduction:
Coastal Inland delta Upland Average Midwife's Visits to Barangays

70%
60.00%
60% 55.56%
50.00% 50.00% 50.00% 50.00%
50%
40% 33.33%
30%
20.00% 20.00%
20%
11.11%
10%
0.00% 0.00%
0%
Every month 3 Months 6 Months plus
The graph above shows the average visits by municipal midwives, although most
women in the barangays described 6 months plus as rarely.
The provincial database shows statistics for ‘At Risk’ pregnancies, for maternal and
infant mortalities and these have been amalgamated to show the municipalities most
at risk for their pregnant mothers and infants. The following graph shows statistics
for 2004. Both Rosario and Capul show very high rates of pregnancy related stress
factors, although the island of Capul has added problems of isolation during the
storm season and poor access to basic nutritious foods for pregnant mothers.
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6
Combined 'At Risk' Pregnancies, 'Maternal & Infant' Mortality Rates
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Rosario 24.50%
Capul 21.83%
Catarman 18.36%
Lavezares 18.35%
Mondragon 17.81%
San Isidro 16.39%
San Antonio 16.38%
San Jose 14.16%
Victoria 14.09%
Catubig 13.70%
San Vicente 13.66%
Gamay 13.11%
Average 12.12%
Allen 11.23%
Palapag 10.52%
Lapinig 8.88%
Silvino Lobos 8.85%
Biri 7.97%
Las Navas 7.78%
Laoang 7.59%
Bobon 5.84%
Mapanas 2.95%
San Roque 2.55%
Lope de Vega 2.31%
Pambujan 1.70%
Many of the ‘At Risk’ pregnancies are diet related, which reflects on poverty status.
However, in some of the remote and island municipalities, it is the availability of
nutritious foods that is often the root cause of these problems.
Services
7
The delivery of babies is shown in the table below and shows that on average,
51.47% of babies are delivered by Hilots [registered and unregistered birth
attendants], 35.13% are delivered by midwives, 11.29% by doctors and 2.11% by
others [includes nurses].
2004 Hilots Midwives Doctors Other

Allen 23.91% 49.61% 26.48% 0.00%
Biri 47.01% 37.05% 14.34% 1.59%
Bobon 78.71% 9.31% 11.97% 0.00%
Capul 27.84% 66.67% 5.49% 0.00%
Catarman 62.60% 13.27% 24.12% 0.00%
Catubig 74.54% 12.15% 13.31% 0.00%
Gamay 40.79% 53.35% 3.35% 2.51%
Laoang 33.33% 16.67% 16.67% 33.33%
Lapinig 86.07% 2.05% 11.07% 0.82%
Las Navas 78.26% 17.71% 4.03% 0.00%
Lavezares 49.61% 43.41% 6.46% 0.52%
Lope de Vega 95.49% 0.35% 1.74% 2.43%
Mapanas 37.14% 57.43% 3.14% 2.29%
Mondragon 71.63% 22.67% 5.70% 0.00%
Palapag 65.03% 24.79% 9.94% 0.25%
Pambujan 57.39% 32.39% 8.52% 1.70%
Rosario 3.36% 92.16% 4.48% 0.00%
San Antonio 41.57% 13.48% 44.38% 0.56%
San Isidro 57.45% 23.71% 18.54% 0.30%
San Jose 10.44% 72.16% 14.15% 3.25%
San Roque 65.20% 22.94% 11.85% 0.00%
San Vicente 13.04% 77.64% 9.32% 0.00%
Silvino Lobos 85.57% 12.44% 1.00% 1.00%
Victoria 29.36% 69.79% 0.85% 0.00%
Average 51.47% 35.13% 11.29% 2.11%
Attending Delivery Support of Babies
35.13%
11.29%
2.11%
51.47%
Hilots Midw ives Doctors Other
Services
8
The table below illustrates the site of the delivery of most babies and this shows
that on average, 89.63% are born at home and 10.37% in hospital. Both Bobon and
the island of San Vicente show that 100% of babies were born at home during 2004,
whilst San Antonio has a high percentage delivered in the island’s hospital.
No 2004 data was available for Lapinig and 2003 data was used for comparison:
2004 Home Hospital

Allen 73.52% 26.48%
Biri 85.60% 14.40%
Bobon 100.00% 0.00%
100%
Capul 93.43% 6.57%
89.63% Site of Maternal Deliveries
90% Catarman 75.82% 24.18%
Catubig 86.69% 13.31%
80%
Gamay 96.86% 3.14%
70% Laoang 88.46% 11.54%
Lapinig 90.53% 9.47%
60%
Las Navas 94.20% 5.80%
50% Lavezares 94.03% 5.97%
40% Lope de Vega 95.07% 4.93%
Mapanas 94.29% 5.71%
30%
Mondragon 94.30% 5.70%
20% Palapag 89.30% 10.70%
10.37% 75.71% 24.29%
Pambujan
10%
Rosario 95.52% 4.48%
0% San Antonio 55.37% 44.63%
Home Hospital San Isidro 94.70% 5.30%
San Jose 87.70% 12.30%
San Roque 93.86% 6.14%
San Vicente 100.00% 0.00%
Silvino Lobos 97.51% 2.49%
Victoria 98.72% 1.28%
Average 89.63% 10.37%
Allen, Catarman, Pambujan and San Antonio show higher percentages of hospital
deliveries and, other than Pambujan, all have hospitals available and thus probably
accounts for these higher rates. There has been some concern about the number of
registered hilots and thus it could be assumed that the training of hilots requires
attention. With 89.63% of homebirths and many of these in remote barangays, the
maternal mortality rate from haemorrhaging is most common and with little means
of transport to hospitals available; in the remote areas the mothers to be face much
greater risk than those in the urban areas.
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9
2004 Type of pregnancy RISK Factor Percentage
Normal At Risk Unknown Totals at Risk
Allen 274 115 0 389 29.56%
Biri 195 56 0 251 22.31%
Bobon 381 70 0 451 15.52%
Capul 110 165 0 275 60.00%
Catarman 540 649 9 1198 54.17%
Catubig 383 216 2 601 35.94%
Gamay 247 188 43 478 39.33%
Laoang 972 252 6 1230 20.49%
Lapinig 190 53 1 244 21.72%
Las Navas 483 136 2 621 21.90%
Lavezares 175 210 0 385 54.55%
Lope de Vega 283 5 0 288 1.74%
Mapanas 330 20 0 350 5.71%
Mondragon 338 381 19 738 51.63%
Palapag 576 245 0 821 29.84%
Pambujan 59 0 2 61 0.00%
Rosario 74 194 0 268 72.39%
San Antonio 91 86 0 177 48.59%
San Isidro 327 313 17 657 47.64%
San Jose 313 206 0 519 39.69%
San Roque 486 37 0 523 7.07%
San Vicente 96 65 0 161 40.37%
Silvino Lobos 117 37 10 164 22.56%
Victoria 104 71 0 175 40.57%
Total 7,144 3,770 111 11,025 Average
32.64%
80% 64.80%
2002 Pregnancy Status
60%
34.20%
40%
20% 1.01%
0%
Normal Risk Unknown
The statistics show that 34.20% of pregnancies were ‘At Risk’ during 2004:
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10
Sanitation:
HOUSEHOLD SANITATION - 2004:
Households % households Households % households
Municipality: Households with CR with CR without CR without CR
Allen 4,498 3,238 72.00% 1,259 28.00%
Biri 1,808 1,175 65.00% 633 35.00%
Bobon 3,598 2,663 74.00% 935 26.00%
Capul 2,201 1,409 64.00% 792 36.00%
Catarman 14,449 8,814 61.00% 5,635 39.00%
Catubig 5,515 4,633 84.00% 882 16.00%
Gamay 5,085 2,390 47.00% 2,695 53.00%
Laoang 11,514 7,484 65.00% 4,030 35.00%
Lapinig 2,133 938 44.00% 1,194 56.00%
Las Navas 6,518 3,389 52.00% 3,128 48.00%
Lavezares 5,178 4,194 81.00% 984 19.00%
Lope de Vega 2,410 892 37.00% 1,518 63.00%
Mapanas 2,510 1,154 46.00% 1,355 54.00%
Mondragon 6,080 2,979 49.00% 3,101 51.00%
Palapag 7,230 6,724 93.00% 506 7.00%
Pambujan 5,237 2,932 56.00% 2,304 44.00%
Rosario 1,724 896 52.00% 827 48.00%
San Antonio 1,771 1,346 76.00% 425 24.00%
San Isidro 4,998 2,099 42.00% 2,899 58.00%
San Jose 3,045 2,314 76.00% 731 24.00%
San Roque 4,167 2,417 58.00% 1,750 42.00%
San Vicente 1,274 764 60.00% 509 40.00%
Silvino Lobos 2,372 403 17.00% 1,969 83.00%
Victoria 2,692 1,642 61.00% 1,050 39.00%
Provincial 108,004 66,890 61.93% 41,114 38.07%
The table above shows the household sanitation statistics for 2004 and reveals that
on average only 61.93% have lavatories although this is an increase of 6.42% over
2000, when only 55.51% had lavatories.
The table highlights the municipalities with the least number of sanitary facilities as
being Silvino Lobos [83%], Lope de Vega [63%], San Isidro [58%], Lapinig [56%],
Mapanas [54%], Gamay [53%] and Mondragon [51%] and out of the seven with more
than 50%, five are considered remote municipalities.
It is interesting to note that of the main island communities; only San Antonio at
40% is higher than the provincial average. When aligned to potable water
availability, it shows that, in some instances, water availability is linked with
sanitation quality.
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11
Services
12
The Disadvantaged:
The VSO 2003 barangay survey showed that the incidences of the under eighteen
years old children of blindness, deafness, physical and mental disabilities are largely
ignored by the municipal or provincial governments and that they are fed and
clothed and largely left to their own devices within the general community. Of all of
the municipal executives interviewed, not one could state that they had facilities in
education for those with physical and mental challenges.
Handicapped
Deaf Blind Physically Mentally Totals
Barangay A [C] 3 0 4 4 11
Barangay B [C] 0 0 0 0 0
Barangay C [U] 0 0 2 0 2
Barangay D [C] 1 0 0 1 2
Barangay E [C] 0 1 0 0 1
Barangay F [ID] 0 0 0 1 1
Barangay G [U] 5 1 2 4 12
Barangay H [C] 3 2 6 4 15
Barangay I [ID] 0 0 1 0 1
Overall 12 4 15 14 45
Coastal 7 3 10 9 29
Inland delta 0 0 1 1 2
Upland 5 1 4 4 14
Overall 12 4 15 14 45
Taking the individual disabilities statistics shows that in an ‘average’ barangay, there
are 5 disadvantaged children under the age of eighteen years:
Handicapped
Deaf Blind Physically Mentally Totals
Coastal 1.4 0.6 2.0 1.8 5.8
Inland delta 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
Upland 2.5 0.5 2.0 2.0 7.0
Overall 1.3 0.4 1.7 1.6 5.0
This would suggest, based on the data from the barangays, that one in forty
households has a child with a disability, To some extent, there is some superstition
regarding these children and they are usually unharmed, although some of the
mentally disadvantaged children are restrained.
Deaf 12
Blind 4
Physically challenged 15
Mentally challenged 14
Total (2003) 45
In the nine barangays, those with disabilities are tabled above and from a population
of nearly 11,000; the above figures may seem low. In development terms, these
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13
figures are high because no services are provided by the LGU for those affected
with disabilities; there is little likelihood that those affected will progress. One
municipality leader stated that the budget for disabled was utilised to provide a
monthly payment of P500 for some street people, who may, or may not be disabled.
Education:
2003 Comparative Results of the Diagnostic and Achievement Tests
Division Diagnostic Achievement Science Rank
Test Result Test Result Difference
Southern Leyte 39.69% 66.78% 27.09% 1
Eastern Samar 35.75% 62.56% 26.81% 2
Leyte 44.20% 66.95% 22.75% 3
Biliran 41.28% 63.54% 22.26% 4
Samar 36.56% 56.74% 20.18% 5
Ormoc City 48.22% 66.97% 18.75% 6
Calbayog 43.57% 60.24% 16.67% 7
Northern Samar 37.78% 54.43% 16.65% 8
Tacloban City 48.30% 63.69% 15.39% 9
Average 41.70% 62.43% 20.73%
Northern Samar 37.78% 54.43% 16.65%

% Above/Below Av 3.92% 8.00% 4.08%
2003 Education Regional Diagnostic Comparison

80%
70%
60% 16.65%
20.18%
18.75% 16.67%
50% 27.09%
26.81% 22.75% 22.26%
40%
30%
15.39%
20%
10%
0%
Southern Eastern Leyte Biliran Samar Ormoc Calbayog Northern Tacloban
Leyte Samar City Samar City
Diagnostic Test Result Achievement Test Result Science Difference
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14
2003 REGIONAL ELEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENT TEST RESULTS BY SUBJECT AREA
The education diagnostics carried out by the regional education office do not show Northern Samar in a very good position
and the following table shows individual subject achievement results.
Division English Maths Science Filipino HEKASI MESP EPP MPS Rank
Ormoc City 76.25% 61.94% 65.90% 69.30% 61.38% 63.64% 72.54% 66.97% 1
Leyte 70.36% 63.11% 66.48% 68.14% 63.77% 51.44% 68.66% 66.95% 2
Southern Leyte 76.35% 61.11% 67.01% 70.70% 62.57% 51.72% 66.31% 66.78% 3
Tacloban City 72.37% 54.63% 59.13% 66.39% 62.66% 48.80% 71.96% 63.96% 4
Biliran 72.86% 62.99% 64.06% 56.35% 59.40% 59.41% 79.45% 63.54% 5
Eastern Samar 65.70% 57.16% 58.26% 65.84% 61.58% 48.74% 60.70% 62.56% 6
Calbayog 65.00% 53.89% 55.53% 63.32% 59.69% 48.55% 66.56% 60.24% 7
Samar 64.94% 52.15% 54.13% 57.37% 55.69% 44.71% 63.31% 56.74% 8
Northern Samar 58.53% 47.59% 56.29% 57.59% 54.84% 42.88% 66.56% 54.43% 9
Northern Samar 58.53% 47.59% 56.29% 57.59% 54.84% 42.88% 66.56% 54.43%
% Above/Below Av 11.69% 9.58% 4.46% 6.30% 5.33% 7.11% 2.26% 8.00%
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The 2003 VSO survey showed the variations of attendance in education in the
differing barangay types and the graph shows that the upland barangays have the
highest attendance record at elementary [70.41%], although they have a lower
attendance at highschool. However, it is often found that those attending
highschool stay with relatives in the urban areas, where the highschools are situated
and this may affect the figures.
Elementary Highschool College Barangay 'Type' Education Attendance

80% 70.41%
70% 62.18% 60.00%
60%
50%
40% 29.53% 30.43%
30% 20.41%
20% 9.57%
8.29% 9.18%
10%
0%
Correlation of the overall attendance figures shows that only 43.41% of elementary
school children go on to highschool [dropout rate of 56.59%] and of these, 32.14%
go through to college [a further dropout rate of 67.86%]. Overall, of the children
that start elementary school, 13.95% complete a college education, an overall
dropout rate of 86.05%.
80%
Under 18's in Education
70% 63.55%
60%
50%
40%
27.59%
30%
20%
8.87%
10%
0%
Elementary Highschool College
Statistics for 2004 show that of 569 barangays, only 508 [89.28%] have public
elementary schools. Although there are plans to construct more elementary schools,
these often remain plans.
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16
Using the NSO population statistics that shows the age ranges, it is possible to
determine the percentage of children that should start elementary school and this
shows overall [given municipal variations], 89.22% of children start elementary
school and of these, only 62.87% complete the first year, giving a dropout rate of
37.13%. However, of the total children that should start elementary school, a large
number of children fail to complete a single year in education. Indeed, it is becoming
clear that there are many that do not start school at all and this is a worrying social
and economic factor that needs addressing.
The following graph shows the Department of Education [DepEd] enrolment
statistics for 2003-2004 from grade one elementary through to fourth year
highschool and shows that only 24.44% complete an education through highschool.
25,000
23,380
Public School Enrolment 2003 and 2004 Enrolment Pow er (Enrolment)
20,000
18,656
16,541
15,128
15,000 13,804
11,845
9,996
10,000
8,350
7,595
5,713
5,000
-
Enrol led Grade 1 to 2 Grade 2 to Grade 3 to Grade 4 to Grade 5 to Enrolled 1st 1 st to 2nd 2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th
Grade 1 - 2004 3 - 2004 4 - 2004 5 - 2004 6 - 2004 Year (H) Year 2004 Year - 2004 Year - 2004
2003 2004
25000
2003 - 2004 Enrolment Numbers in Public Elementary & Highschools
2003 2004
20000 Power (2003) Power (2004)
15000
10000
5000
0
Enrolled Grade 1 to Grade 2 to Grade 3 to Grade 4 to Grade 5 to Grade 6 to 1st to 2nd 2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th
Grade 1 2 3 4 5 6 1st H Year Year Year
Services
17
The DepEd enrolment figure for 2003 and 2004 show that in 2003 23,380 children
enrolled in first grade at public elementary schools. In 2004, 18,656 enrolled in
second grade; giving a dropout of 20.21% over 2003 to 2004.
From the statistics, it is possible to compare the year on year enrolment figures and
these are comparative and show a general trend of those that dropout of education.
26000
2003 - 2004 Public Elementary Enrolment
2003 2004
24000 Power (2004) Power (2003)
22000
20000
18000
16000
14000
12000
10000
Grade 1 (Age Grade 2 (Age Grade 3 (Age Grade 4 (Age Grade 5 (Age Grade 6 (Age
7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12)
These two graphs show the individual elementary and highschool enrolment rates for
2003 and 2004, whilst the graph on page 19 shows a combination graph.
11000
2003 - 2004 Public Highschool Enrolment
2003 2004
10000
Power (2004) Power (2003)
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year
Services
18
The previous figures have been for public schools and although there are reliable
figures’ for the private elementary enrolments, the figures for private highschools
are unreliable and are not shown here. However, the enrolment in private elementary
schools shows similar dropout trends to the public elementary schools, showing a
general reduction in school attendees from first grade.
120
2003 - 2004 Private Elementary Enrolment

110
2003 2004
Power (2004) Power (2003)

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
Grade 1 (Age Grade 2 (Age Grade 3 (Age Grade 4 (Age Grade 5 (Age Grade 6 (Age
7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12)
Comparison of Public & Private Elementary Schools Dropout Rates 2003 & 2004
25%
Private Public
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
The comparison above, between the rate of students’ dropout from public and
private elementary schools may indicate that after third grade, children from the
private schools are switching to the public schools and this may be due to economic
reasons. This has been validated at barangay level where the expense of fourth year
highschool education is often beyond the ability of the parents to provide.
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19
Comparison of Public & Private Elementary Schools Dropout Rate Trends 2003 & 2004
35%
Private Public
30%
Power (Private) Power (Public)
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
The above graph looks at the overall trends of children dropping out of public and
private elementary schools.
In the nine barangays there were (in 2003) eight elementary schools with complete
grades 1 through 6 and the other had grades 1 through 4. In the eight barangays
with complete elementary schools, there were a total of 41 teachers, giving a ratio
of 5.1 teachers for 6 the classes; it is therefore probable that some classes are
‘doubled up’. The barangay with only grades 1 through 4 had only 2 teachers.
2003 Teachers Ratio to classes
Municipality ‘A’ 7 0.39
Municipality ‘B’ 16 0.89
Municipality ‘C’ 20 1.11
This shows that Municipality ‘C’ not only provides the largest number of barangay
health workers; it also provides the highest number of elementary teachers with a
ratio of 1.11 teachers to 1 elementary grade. Municipalities ‘A’ and ‘B’ provide fewer
teachers than grades with municipality ‘A’ very low indeed.
In 2005 with the increasing cost of fuels and the implementation of the E-VAT laws,
there is a strong probability that many more children will be taken out of school and
that the province will regress in educational terms, until it learns to live with the
ever-increasing cost of living in the province. Added to this, many more professional
teachers that were considering relocating outside of the province, will probably now
do so and that only the best will leave, leaving behind many that have not passed the
board examinations or those that do not yet have sufficient experience.
It should be of increasing concern to authorities that there are high demands on
elementary and highschool students to prepare ‘projects’ and the students [via the
parents] have to afford these. The projects go toward examination results, thus
forcing the students to comply. Some of these projects cost more than P100 to
complete and these are drains on household budgets that cannot be afforded and
some drop out, as they cannot participate.
Services
20
Of the projects themselves, it is inconceivable that nail polish, buffers and nail files
have any use in academia, or that father christmas outfits and decorations, or that
varnish for the schoolroom furniture and wax for the floors, have a valid role in
examinations. Why is it that these impoverished youngsters have to comply with
these ridiculous demands?
Many teenage schoolgirls express to desire to become teachers in elementary
schools and this may be more to do with being an authoritive figure and less to do
with serving the community. Likewise, many girls express the wish to become
policewomen and of course, nurses.
80%
Under 18's in Education
70% 63.55%
60%
50%
40%
27.59%
30%
20%
8.87%
10%
0%
This graph shows the percentage of under 18’s in any form of education and these
represent 61.98% of the total under 18’s. This shows that of those that enrol in 1st
grade elementary education only 43.41% progress through to highschool and that
only 32.14% of those that enrol in highschool go on to college education. Overall, out
of every 100 children that start school, 14 start college. There are no figures
available for the college dropout rate.
The University of Eastern Philippines [UEP] promised to participate in giving support
to monitoring their attendance and other rates, but totally failed to produce any
statistics at all.
Services
21
Elementary Highschool College Barangay 'Type' Education Attendance
80% 70.41%
70% 62.18% 60.00%
60%
50%
40% 29.53% 30.43%
30% 20.41%
20%
8.29% 9.57% 9.18%
10%
0%
The graph above shows that the upland barangays have the highest enrolment rate
in elementary education, despite having the lowest average monthly household
incomes.
This province has enough problems in the education sector without the extra
problems of increasing dropout rates and teachers leaving. In the opinion of many,
the provincial university seems to have lost its direction and seems intent on
carrying out beautification projects, rather than attend to the educational and
sanitary needs of the students. Those that have charge of the university seem
intent upon commercialisation of the departments and spend copious amounts on
decorative features for the university yet are miserly with the educational aids. The
university farm, once the pride of the area and the very basis on which the
university evolved, is little more than a barren waste that appears to have no
livestock and the cropping area, now mostly share cropped with a few farmers.
Student accommodation and toilet facilities are insufficient to meet the needs of
the university’s population, with few sources of entertainment in overcrowded
student accommodation.
Within the university, many tutors seem to be more involved with personal income
generation activities than teaching their students, or attempting to establish
national and international fame from their personal research projects. Students are
more often labourers to enhance the status of their ‘professors’, although it must
be said that the quality of the students could also be questioned.
'STRIVE':
Services
22
Strengthening Implementation of Visayas Education ['STRIVE'] is a programme
funded by AusAID and their research of 2004 showed that in Northern Samar,
“poor student performance in the core subjects of mathematics, science and
English, based on international comparative testing” and their report further states
the:
"Inability of many parents to financially support their children through school",
"Lack of teaching and learning resources",
"Inadequate provision for in service teacher training, with many primary and
secondary teachers unable to keep abreast of new knowledge, skills and methods
required to deliver quality basic education",
"Difficulties in effective curriculum delivery to out of school children and
youth",
"New and unfamiliar educational leadership and management roles and
responsibilities at the local level of government".
These findings do not directly identify the poor standard of graduates from the
local university, as it is here that the problems started as it is here that the
problems started and have been exacerbated by lack of investment in suitable
college training staff and facilities. The university has failed to provide the very
basics in education to future teaching staff and although poverty is a factor, the
negligence by the university has restricted the development of the youth of the
province.
The Department of Education has shown concerns about the direction in which the
university is going and this may be an opportunity for the government to redirect
the activities of the university.
The 'STRIVE' documentation goes on to state that of the 569 barangays, there are
513 public elementary schools and of these, 237 are incomplete. They also state
that 44% of the population is under the age of 15 years and that “This large and
growing population of young people is putting pressure on the already stretched
school system.”
The 'STRIVE' documentation also states the cohort survival rate as 52% in
elementary and 80% in secondary. This shows that of every 100 that start grade
one elementary school 42 complete through to 4th year highschool, a dropout rate of
58%. The VSO barangay survey showed similar dropout rate statistics.
The 'STRIVE' documentation states that “The high dropout rate in Northern Samar
is exacerbated by the very limited local employment opportunities” and this should
always be kept in consideration. The competition for paid work is strong although:
Adding poor education to limited employment opportunities restrains a
community from developing.
Potable water:
Services
23
The map above shows the groundwater water sources of the province, with the dark
area showing water sources above the 20-metre depth level. Recent surveys have
shown that where reliable potable or irrigation water was available at 4 to 5 metres
below ground, these same sources are no longer available during the dry season and
farmers have to consider putting in an extra pipe to reach reliable water sources.
With the advent of the PACAP ‘Potable water Project’, it is hoped that some of the
municipalities will be able to improve their potable water facilities, although the
PACAP project does not always reflect the municipalities that have the worst
potable water problems.
Services
24
Municipality Households Level 1 % Level 1 Level 2 % Level 2 Level 3 % Level 3
Allen 4,379 2,352 53.71% 1,078 24.62% 0 0.00%
Biri 1,780 1,435 80.63% 282 15.84% 0 0.00%
Bobon 3,524 2,944 83.55% 176 4.99% 0 0.00%
Capul 2,177 735 33.77% 916 42.08% 139 6.39%
Catarman 14,043 10,815 77.01% 453 3.23% 855 6.09%
Catubig 5,405 150 2.78% 5,140 95.10% 0 0.00%
Gamay 4,949 2,294 46.35% 1,413 28.55% 169 3.41%
Laoang 11,215 7,721 68.84% 762 6.79% 0 0.00%
Lapinig 2,075 1,843 88.80% 102 4.91% 0 0.00%
Las Navas 6,333 800 12.63% 3,900 61.59% 0 0.00%
Lavezares 5,060 3,365 66.51% 455 8.99% 0 0.00%
Lope de Vega 2,353 1,024 43.53% 1,135 48.24% 66 2.81%
Mapanas 2,414 1,488 61.65% 566 23.45% 0 0.00%
Mondragon 5,916 4,703 79.50% 320 5.41% 40 0.68%
Palapag 6,935 4,581 66.06% 787 11.35% 0 0.00%
Pambujan 5,070 3,303 65.15% 1,155 22.78% 0 0.00%
Rosario 1,680 1,345 80.06% 144 8.57% 0 0.00%
San Antonio 1,753 1,366 77.93% 112 6.39% 0 0.00%
San Isidro 4,890 3,103 63.45% 1,250 25.56% 311 6.36%
San Jose 2,975 1,766 59.36% 50 1.68% 584 19.63%
San Roque 4,020 727 18.08% 320 7.96% 0 0.00%
San Vicente 1,272 734 57.69% 315 24.76% 0 0.00%
Silvino Lobos 2,294 0 0.00% 1,886 82.22% 0 0.00%
Victoria 2,625 1,662 63.30% 606 23.08% 0 0.00%
Overall, in 2004, the municipalities have 57.31% of level 1 potable water provision,
although some of the principal urban areas face population expansions and this puts
stress on potable water provision.
Households Level 1 % Level 1 Level 2 % Level 2 Level 3 % Level 3
105,136 60,256 57.31% 23,323 22.18% 2,164 2.06%
Services
25
In the three municipalities surveyed by VSO, 56% used communal pumps, 22% had a
local spring source and 22% had to carry water from another area.
Of the two barangays that had no local supply of potable water, of these, one is an
island that depends upon its potable water from a neighbouring island and this has to
be carried by paddle canoe in jerry-cans, as and when required. The other is a new
barangay and a communal potable water source has yet to be provided, although they
have water for crop irrigation, potable water is a problem. These carry water from a
neighbouring barangay. Of the seven with a potable water supply, five have
communal water pumps and two rely on freshwater springs for their source.
The reduction of the general water table in many of these areas is causing problems
during the drier weather seasons for both communal and private supplies. The
following table shows the overall availability of potable water:
All HH % HH Served Without
Allen 3,430 78.33% 21.67%
Biri 1,717 96.47% 3.53%
Bobon 3,120 88.55% 11.45%
Capul 1,790 82.24% 17.76%
Catarman 12,123 86.33% 13.67%
Catubig 5,290 97.88% 2.12%
Gamay 3,876 78.31% 21.69%
Laoang 8,483 75.64% 24.36%
Lapinig 1,945 93.71% 6.29%
Las Navas 4,700 74.22% 25.78%
Lavezares 3,820 75.50% 24.50%
Lope de Vega 2,225 94.58% 5.42%
Mapanas 2,054 85.10% 14.90%
Mondragon 5,063 85.58% 14.42%
Palapag 5,368 77.40% 22.60%
Pambujan 4,458 87.93% 12.07%
Rosario 1,489 88.63% 11.37%
San Antonio 1,478 84.32% 15.68%
San Isidro 4,664 95.38% 4.62%
San Jose 2,400 80.67% 19.33%
San Roque 1,047 26.04% 73.96%
San Vicente 1,049 82.45% 17.55%
Silvino Lobos 1,886 82.22% 17.78%
Victoria 2,268 86.39% 13.61%
85,743 81.55% 18.45%
Total HH Overall Supplied Without
To a certain extent some municipalities that lack potable water amenities also show
poor levels of household sanitation and the lack of water may account for this.
Services
26
Many of the remote barangays do not have a water source problem. Their problems
are more to do with distributing the water around the barangay. Many facilities are
broken or service points having turned into quagmires of mud and dirty water.
Although originally installed, no facilities were put aside for maintenance and the
barangays believed that it should be the municipality that is responsible for
maintenance and visa-versa.
That the barangay folk have not tried to maintain their own services, speaks poorly
for their self-reliance and motivation. In some barangays a small charge is made to
households for water, but this money becomes lost in the mist and not used to
maintain the water system.
Power:
Many social scientists use the provision of electrical power to a household for
assessing and monitoring poverty indicating but this cannot be justified in this
province; as there are many cases where access to power is not a matter of choice
or affordability. NORSAMELCO does not provide power to every barangay.
The island communities rely on communal and private generators for supply of
electrical power and to conserve fuel, these are limited to certain periods of the
day. In overall terms on the mainland, the percentage of households supplied has
decreased by -4.80% over the period 2003 to 2004, as households have increased
but power provision has not.
During the course of 2005 and under new management, NORSAMELCO implemented
a major drive to carry out some of the much-needed repairs required, just to
maintain a basic service. After many weeks of multiple brownouts, the power supply
started to settle and the new management, pushed by Governor Daza must be
congratulated for this and it shows up the many management problems before 2005.
Services
27
It is hoped that by the middle of 2007, the major work will be completed and this
province may at last, enjoy a reasonable power supply. However, the dependence on
Leyte for supplies of power will remain a problem despite local infrastructure
improvements.
The university, as an experiment, have been toying with wind generated power, using
turbines situated in the hills that surround the coastal area. Generally, the wind is
more constant and reliable by the coast, although ‘on average’ there is insufficient
wind power to convert. Wind turbines require an average wind speed of 12
kilometres per hour, whereas in Northern Samar, weather statistics show that the
average wind speed is 7.7 kilometres per hour.
On the mainland, in 2004 the number of barangays electrified increased by 47 or

8.83% greater than 2003; and this shows that in 2003 46.80% of the mainland
barangays were electrified and in 2004 55.64%. In 2003, 40.88% of mainland
households were electrified and in 2004 35.52%.
Whether or not the take up rate of households becoming connected to a
NORSAMELCO supply is a poverty indicator, may be an interesting subject for
future research. It may be that the unit cost of power is prohibitive and many
households cannot afford the connection charges.
The following graph depicts the unit cost per kilowatt of power supplied to a
residence in Mondragon. This is the total number of kilowatts used over a known
period of time, divided by the total Peso amount of the bill. Most electricity bills do
include various discounts. The trendline on the graph shows the cost increasing by a
steady 0.83% every month over the period shown on the graph.
Services
28
6.8
6.72
Monthly Power Charge (Peso) per Unit July 2004 to December 2005
6.6
6.50
6.47
6.37
6.40
6.37 6.37
6.4
6.30
6.19
6.18 6.20
6.17 6.17
6.2 6.14
6.01
6.0
5.91
5.82
5.79
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
Jul-04 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan- Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
05
The province generates very little of its own power and is dependent on supplies
transferred from Leyte, via Calbuyog, in Western Samar and it is this inability that
restrains most of the development within the province. With the ever increasing
cost of crude oil on the international markets, plus the implementation of the E-VAT
law [November 2005], the already high cost of electrical power is likely to increase
at a greater monthly rate than at present and is unlikely to stabilise.
E-VAT and fuel increases will affect the affordability of power to the low and
marginal income households and may also have an affect on commercial premises.
Should commercial premises start to restrict their opening hours, this may have a
beneficial affect for the staff.
Services
29
The Households
At the heart of every community, be it urban or rural, is the family, settled in its
dwelling and living a daily lifestyle that all communities follow, be it in the rich
western nations, the interior of the African bush, or the coastal and inland areas of
Northern Samar. It is only the cultural differences and the traditions that form
these communities and yet some struggle more than most.
The 2003 VSO barangay survey interviewed the household members in an informal
manner and this produced a large amount of comparative detail that gives important
development indicators from the data gathered. This survey looked at the main
sources of livelihoods and the assets of the households in the three ‘types’ of
barangays interviewed.
The Households
1
7.00 6.85
Household Population 2003
6.80
6.60
6.40 6.31
6.16 6.13
6.20
6.00
5.80
5.60
The above graph shows the average household size of the individual barangay types
and the overall average and the following graph shows the age differences within
the households.
Above 18 Below 18 Household Population Above & Below the Age of 18 years
60% 55.66% 55.16%

51.13% 49.62% 50.38%
48.87%
50% 44.34% 44.84%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
It is interesting to note that only in the upland barangays is the under 18 year old
household population in the minority and although the previous graph shows that the
upland barangays have greater household numbers, they are largely above 18 years
of age.
Physically, it looked to be many small children in the upland barangays, although
during the daytime visits the older people would be out working.
The Households
2
Landless Owned Leased / RentedHousehold Usable Agricultural Land Tenure
70% 63.39%
60%
46.81% 46.81% 46.81%
50%
39.81% 37.62%
36.17%
40%
29.91%
30% 22.57%
17.02%
20%
6.70% 6.38%
10%
0%
The tenure of arable agricultural land shows, in the above graph, that 63% of the
coastal barangay households have no access to usable agricultural land, whilst the
upland barangays depend equally on owned and leased or rented land. [Note: leased
or rented, includes tenanted land in this survey]. The survey specifically asked for
usable agricultural land and not any land that the household occupied.
Elementary Highschool College Those in Education Under the Age of 18 years

Overall
80% 74.29%
70% 62.61% 62.90%

60% 53.70%
49.29%
50% 39.39%
38.53%
40% 32.72%
30%
18.13% 17.28% 17.10%
20% 14.29%
10.71%
5.95% 6.41%
10% 3.70%
0%
The graph above shows the percentages of children and youth in school and the ‘less
than 18 years old’ range was used for this comparison. Physical research in the
upland barangays supports the statistics, in that the youth and parents are very
keen to achieve an education and this shows in the high percentages in elementary
and college education facilities; showing that 74% of the upland children of less
than 18 years old range are in any form of education, compared to the average of
63%.
The Households
3
During overnight stays in some of the upland barangays that had no school, it was
interesting to note the keenness of the elementary school children to walk the four
or five kilometres to a neighbouring barangay to get to school. Regardless of
weather, these youngsters were determined not to be late.
Coastal Inland delta Upland Overall Household Structures [Walls & Roofs]
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Natural walls Block walls Iron roof Nipa roof
The graph above shows the basic structure of the households and shows that the
majority use natural materials [forest products]. Before using this as a ‘poverty
indicator’, development workers should take into account the ‘social preferences’ of
the householders for comfort, as many said that the iron roofs and block walls held
too much heat. The higher incidence of block walls in the coastal barangays is
probably due to the higher risk of stormy weather in the coastal areas, which makes
them a necessity.
The latest changes in the E-VAT laws determine that the “Sale of non-food
products, marine and forest products in their original state by the primary producer
or the owner of the land where the same are produced”, are now subject to E-VAT
These should be some concern because as can be seen in the barangays, the
dwellings are mostly made of forest products and should these be considered as
taxable it will cause greater hardship to the low-income families that rely on the
forest for many its products.
Incidentally, the E-VAT laws also state that “coal, natural gas and other indigenous
fuels” are now subject to E-VAT and there will be debate as to whether or not coco
charcoal and fuelwood are to be included. Many markets and roadside stores sell
coco charcoal and would be easy targets for the tax collectors. Fuel wood collection
in the forest and watershed areas is already causing some concern and measures to
tax these may lead to more environmental damage.
The Households
4
Comfort Rooms Comparison by Barangay Types
70%
61.61% 59.57%
60% 55.34%
50%
36.17%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Coastal Inland delta Upland Overall
The percentage of households with toilets has often been used as a poverty
indicator and the graph above tends to support this, with the inland delta barangays
having the worst percentage at 36%. However, the following two graphs show that
not only do the inland barangays have the highest average monthly household income;
they also have the lowest number earning less than P5,000 per month. In many
developing countries the households have individual ‘pit latrines’ with concrete slabs
atop and there have been strong drives to increase their use as a way to reduce the
family health problems. Not so in the Philippines it would seem; where many folk still
use the forest or beach as their latrines.
3300
3213
Average Monthly Household Income by Barangay Type
3200
3100
3021
3000 2957
2891
2900
2800
2700
The Households
5
Conversely, the coastal barangays with the lowest average monthly household income
and greatest number earning less than P5,000 per month; have the highest
percentage of toilets. This is a complete reversal of the inland delta statistics.
Whether or not this is a cultural variance will have to be determined. It may be that
the coastal barangays get more visits from municipal health workers and encourage
the use of latrines, although many in some coastal barangays still continue to use the
beach as their toilet area.
The provincial ‘average’ for households without sanitation is 38.07% and there are
several municipalities that have poor statistics regarding household sanitation:
Municipality: % Without CRs % Below average:
Silvino Lobos 83.0% 45.0%
Lope de Vega 63.0% 25.0%
San Isidro 58.0% 20.0%
Lapinig 56.0% 18.0%
Mapanas 54.0% 16.0%
Gamay 53.0% 15.0%
Mondragon 51.0% 13.0%
Coastal, Inland Delta and Upland Monthly Household Incomes P0 to

85% 84.78%
P5000
85%
84%
83.57%
84%
82.98% 82.98%
83%
83%
82%
It is not as yet clear as to what the full affect of the E-VAT and fuel increases will
have on the incomes of the low-income households, although the impact on their
weekly expenditure is becoming clearer. None of the low-income families are subject
to direct tax, although they all pay indirect taxes.
It will cost fishermen and boatmen with motors and farmers with hand tractors
extra to ply their trade, thus reducing the prime output / input ratio of earnings and
it is unlikely that they will receive more for their produce.
The Households
6
Coastal Inland Delta Upland Average Monthly Household Income by Barangay Type
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
0.00%
None 0.00%
2.13%
17.39%
1 - 2 Th 14.89%
12.77%
34.78%
2 - 3 Th 27.66%
36.17%
21.74%
3 - 4 Th 29.79%
27.66%
10.87%
4 - 5 Th 10.64%
4.26%
6.52%
5 - 6 Th 6.38%
8.51%
6.52%
6 - 7 Th 2.13%
4.26%
0.00%
7 - 8 Th 2.13%
0.00%
0.00%
8 - 9 Th 4.26%
2.13%
0.00%
9 - 10 Th 0.00%
0.00%
2.17%
10 - 11 Th 0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
11 - 12 Th 0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
12 Plus 2.13%
2.13%
The Households
7
The NSO statistics show the standard cash expenditure for ‘average’ households
and this is a very good guide to accessing the household economics. It will be worth
monitoring and determining the impact of the E-VAT plus fuel increases on the
household budgets.
From the NSO statistics the following expenditure items are shown:
1.40% on medicines
5.80% on power for fuel & lighting
2.20% on clothing & footwear
4.60% on educational costs
2.60% on household cleaning and washing goods
1.70% on household maintenance
42.60% on food
The expenditure items above, equal 67.70% of the total household budget and with
a reduction in the spending power index, families will have to economise and this is
where the concerns must arise about the potential decrease in spending on
education, quality food and clothing. Whether or not economies will be made with
entertainment will have to be studied. Communities in crisis will often party more
for two reasons. One, as a statement to other community members that they still
remain solvent and two, as a way to lighten the misery of poverty. Gambling, drinking
and partying often increase as a situation worsens; these are facades and should be
closely looked at before determining the poverty status of a community.
A household often uses a television as a status symbol and as these are mostly
reliant on electrical power being available, the households with power connections
have been included with this comparison. On average, the 2003 VSO survey showed
that 39.43% of households are connected to an electrical power source. Statistics
from Northern Samar Electric Cooperative [NORSAMELCO] show that in 2003,
39.68% of households were connected to a source of electrical power, a negligible
difference of 0.25% from the VSO survey.
As most radios are battery powered, their relevance to electrical power connections
is not a reliable poverty indicator.
Coastal Inland delta Upland Overall w ith TV, Radio & Electricity by Barangay Type
Hoouseholds
70%
58.66%
60% 55.55%
48.45%
48.10% 49.27%
50% 43.27%
40% 34.18%
26.51%
30%
18.27% 20.00%
17.72%
20%
8.00%
10%
0%
Tv Radio Electricity
The Households
8
For all of the cultural differences that there are between Filipinos and other
communities, still at the heart of these is employment and Northern Samar suffers
more than other areas for employment opportunities. This is due to the virtual lack
of a processing industry and this lack of opportunity accounts for the high
percentage of youth and middle aged that leave the province. Statistics may show
that the province has a reasonable employment growth rate, yet these statistics are
generated from the population that have remained and do not account for the 18%
that have left.
In its way, the past provincial governments have let down the peoples of Northern
Samar, by ignoring the basic principles of family life and ignored the need for
promoting this area for the high quality products that it produces in raw form, but
has no ability to process. With processing of abaca and increased processing of
copra, this province could have been one of the wealthiest; instead it wallows near
the bottom of the league [75th of 79] and is now unlikely to develop very much
further, without massive development assistance.
Why tourism and handicrafts receive such a level of promoted, is beyond the
understanding of most major development agencies; in an area that is tiresome to
reach and has few facilities that would appeal to tourists. This is not to say that the
province does not have some beautiful sites, but many are hard to access, having to
trek, in many cases across muddy palay fields for more time than most would care to
devote.
There is money to be made from handicrafts here, but those that are made, are
poor quality and set ridiculously high Manila prices. One private organisation makes
products from cococoir and these are deliberately targeted at Manila stores, but
handicraft workers complain that their wages are so little compared to their
efforts.
Part-time handicraft and processing activities for household members would be very
beneficial, although the women tend to get overburdened with these tasks, although
many take them on willingly, to earn money to ensure food on the table and education
costs for their children.
Although a supposed patriarchal society, it is the women and daughters that prove
to be the backbone of the family. Working mothers depend heavily on their
daughters for support and from a very early age. It is here that the gender roles
are firmly established, with the girls with multiple chores and the boys, doing manly
things like sitting around watching the girls. It is often an older daughter that
sacrifices schooling, in order to give this support and often, she does not marry,
probably feeling that she has had enough of diapers, cooking and families in general.
Even in terms of discipline it is rare to see men chastise their offspring, whereas
the women scold their children openly.
The Households
9
[Wary eyed street kids]
Street children are a growing concern in this province, with the main commercial
areas attracting the greatest numbers. Catarman has many and these youngsters
have learned to survive on the streets and it is doubtful that they would now wish to
change.
They are aggressive and usually roam around in gangs, yet few seem to be older than
ten years old. The provincial social services try to take care of the reported cases
of sexual abuse of girls, yet there are very limited programmes for the street kids.
Household Backyard Enterprise:

As in many areas, Nortehanon households have some interest in backyard
enterprises although not as much as Mindanao households. Though the outputs have
very little affect on the overall market, they do help a family to improve their diet
and they do reduce the pressure on the main markets. The exception to this rule
would be the backyard swine, said to produce 90% of the Philippines pork meat. In
general, the backyard producers are inefficient and invest little and are content
with whatever output is gained.
In Northern Samar about 15% of households produce backyard vegetables, with the
favourites being shown the table below. Few grow tomatoes and they do not grow
very well in this province, but tomatoes are the most intensive to grow as compared
to the others in the table, which need very little inputs.
The Households
10
Northern Samar - Backyard Vegetables
Tomato Pechay Pole bean Ampalaya Eggplant Kamote Squash
3.40% 7.77% 12.62% 17.48% 16.99% 24.76% 10.19%
The great differences in backyard vegetable production between Northern Samar

can be seen by comparing these two tables, showing that the householders in
Mindanao are much more active.
Mindanao - Backyard Vegetables
Tomato Pechay Pole bean Ampalaya Eggplant Kamote Squash
14.66% 15.32% 16.63% 20.35% 24.95% 36.32% 17.51%
A Northern Samar / Mindanao comparison of backyard livestock assets shows the
preference of Nortehanons for carabao and swine, whilst Mindanao folk have higher
percentages of cattle and goats.
Northern Samar - Breeding Females
Carabao Cattle Goats Swine
25.24% 2.43% 1.46% 30.10%
Mindanao - Breeding Females

Carabao Cattle Goat Swine
18.38% 4.81% 3.06% 17.94%
However, where piglets are concerned the provincial differences are reversed, with
16.70% 0f Nortehanon households fattening piglets, against 27.79% of Mindanao
households. The keeping of breeding females is often a good economic indicator and
often supports a progressive attitude of household members.
In general, it was found during the VSO survey that the quality if the swine kept in
backyards in Mindanao was much higher, but foods are also cheaper. It was also
noted that Nortehanons preferred the native pig to the crossbred, although these
are harder to purchase. However, the quality of the carabao and cattle in Northern
Samar is extremely high and it seems that this province is ideally suited for rearing
large livestock and there are many more open grazing areas for livestock in
Northern Samar, as large areas are left uncultivated.
The Households
11
The Department of Agriculture statistics show that although carabao numbers have
increased in Northern Samar, their percentages as part of the ‘Provincial Herd’ has
declined and this tells of the decline in backyard activities also.
Northern Samar 1991-2002 Livestock Heads percentage Comparison
Carabao Hogs Power (Carabao) Power (Hogs)

20% 16.65%
15%
10% 8.07%
5.36% 5.41%
5%
0%
The cattle of Northern Samar are mostly of the Brahman type and these are very
efficient at converting medium to poor grazing. Governor Daza has encouraged the
dispersal of cattle, by linking the farmers and the local university veterinary college,
in a “Buddy – Buddy” project, whereby the veterinary students advise the farmers
regarding healthcare and feeding.
The NSO 2002 Agricultural survey showed very significant changes in agricultural
production; with a 22.93% increase of Homelot [backyard] farmers and 58.38%
increase in the land put to this use. For the province, this may be encouraging,
helping to create a greater self-sufficiency in food production.
Farmers Land Area Northern Samar Land Usage Changes 1991-2002

-600% -500% -400% -300% -200% -100% 0% 100% 200%
Homelot
Permanent crops
Temporary Meadows & Pasture
Woodland & Forest
The ‘Land Usage’ survey also shows an increase in permanent pasture together with
an increase of 17.04% in carabao.
The Households
12
Household Enterprise:
There are very few low-income families that are not trying to boost their Peso
generation and like everywhere else, the culture of mini stores proliferates.
Vegetables, fruits, charcoal, candies, pre-packed commodities and bathroom
requirements are available along every barangay lane. Add in gasoline, kerosene,
diesel and native alcohol. Like some other indicators, mini stores are status symbols;
just to have one is often sufficient, whether or not it has a few bottles of gasoline
and diesel, a few vegetables or whatever. They are a poor indicator of a household’s
being lifted out of poverty, as other poverty studies suggest. They come and go like
the seasons, spending their profits, often before they are made, and the phrase
“Sorry, out of stock” is the most common phrase.
This reflects on the very poor money management ability that most families have
and is often the cause of failure. Certainly, the NGOs have experienced losses from
the loans that they have made and the lack of money management is a major
restraint to this province’s economics growing. One NGO now uses the group loan
theory, which creates peer pressure to repay the loans and this seems to be working
well, with, they claim, around 97% successful repayments.
To add to the family enterprise, many children can be seen vending fresh and dried
fish and vegetables around the barangays and they are often camped at the
roadside selling in season fruits.
Households and the Seasons:
Most of all for the low-income families and now for those families on the margins of
poverty, it is the cyclical pattern of paid a work opportunity that controls the daily
lifestyle. The typhoon seasons and the occasional droughts all decrease the work
opportunities and this reflects on the household income and thus every factor of
the lifestyles.
10% 5.43%
2.99% 3.34% 3.66% 3.00%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
-8.41%
-15% -9.91%
-13.42%
-20%
-25% -20.05% Low-Income Households -22.57%
-30% -27.10%
-35%
-33.26%
-40%
The Households
13
The small family enterprises are critical during the times of decreased work
opportunity for they help to keep households solvent, or at least sustain an image of
solvency. Those households that are not engaged in enterprises are the ones where
health and social services are required to act as a safety net.
105%
Work
100%
Opportunity
95% Trendline
90%
85%
Northern Samar
80%
Low-Income Household
70%
65%
The Households
14
The People
This section looks at the expanding population and in part looks at some of basic
requirements to supply basic nourishment for the population and often, the inability
of the province to be able to produce the basic foods from its own resources, the
province has to import large amounts of these foods and the cost is often beyond
the ability of the low income families. The following table shows the amount of basic
foods required ‘per capita’ to meet a balanced nutritional level required to maintain
the balance.
RICE: 120.45 Kg per Annum
ROOT CROPS 60.59 Kg per Annum
VEGETABLES 54.75 Kg per Annum
FRUITS 76.65 Kg per Annum
MEATS 33.13 Kg per Annum
FISH 30.66 Kg per Annum
EGGS 3.98 Kg per Annum
Research into the basic foods production in the province, shows that, in general and
given seasonal fluctuations the province will import:
40% of its Rice requirement,

20% of its Root Crops,
80% of its Vegetables,
80% of its Fruits,
75% of its Meats,
80% of its Fish and
80% of its Poultry and Eggs.
The tables on the following page shows the monetary amount required to feed these
basic foods, to an expanding population, with projections through to 2010, showing in
2006, the province will expend Peso 4.9 billion on these basic foods alone. This
assumes that the provincial production stays at the existing rate. With further
development of the abaca industry it is possible to cover the expenditure on basic
foods with the income from processed abaca fibre.
The affect of the increase of crude oil on the international market will have marked
consequence on the cost of basic foods, as not only fuels are affected. Chemical
sprays, transport equipment and plastics are also affected.
The People
1
PROVINCE of NORTHERN SAMAR
PROJECTED POPULATION ANNUAL EXPANSION RATE to 2010
The known 'Markers' are taken from official census reports of 1990 and 2000
Estimated Annual values of all basic foods
RICE ROOT CROPS VEGETABLES FRUITS MEATS FISH EGGS TOTAL
Population Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso
2005 573,554 1,174,437,848 521,274,553 785,052,038 1,538,701,994 1,900,184,402 1,055,109,938 114,137,246 7,088,898,018
2006 589,554 1,207,200,248 535,816,153 806,952,038 1,581,625,994 1,953,192,402 1,084,543,538 117,321,246 7,286,651,618
2007 605,826 1,240,519,609 550,604,960 829,224,338 1,625,279,702 2,007,101,538 1,114,477,510 120,559,374 7,487,767,030
2008 622,684 1,275,038,893 565,926,353 852,298,725 1,670,505,501 2,062,952,092 1,145,489,486 123,914,116 7,696,125,166
2009 640,043 1,310,584,049 581,703,081 876,058,856 1,717,075,358 2,120,462,459 1,177,423,103 127,368,557 7,910,675,463
2010 657,918 1,347,185,793 597,948,774 900,525,263 1,765,029,515 2,179,682,334 1,210,305,953 130,925,682 8,131,603,313
PROVINCIAL BASIC FOODS REQUIREMENTS - SUMMARY of IMPORT REQUIREMENTS

Estimated Import Rates:
40% 20% 80% 80% 75% 80% 80% 65%
ROOT
RICE CROPS VEGETABLES FRUITS MEATS FISH EGGS TOTAL
Population Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso Value Peso
2005 573,554 469,775,139 104,254,911 628,041,630 1,230,961,595 1,425,138,302 844,087,951 91,309,797 4,793,569,324
2006 589,554 482,880,099 107,163,231 645,561,630 1,265,300,795 1,464,894,302 867,634,831 93,856,997 4,927,291,884
2007 605,826 496,207,844 110,120,992 663,379,470 1,300,223,761 1,505,326,154 891,582,008 96,447,499 5,063,287,727
2008 622,684 510,015,557 113,185,271 681,838,980 1,336,404,401 1,547,214,069 916,391,589 99,131,293 5,204,181,159
2009 640,043 524,233,620 116,340,616 700,847,085 1,373,660,287 1,590,346,844 941,938,482 101,894,846 5,349,261,779
2010 657,918 538,874,317 119,589,755 720,420,210 1,412,023,612 1,634,761,751 968,244,762 104,740,546 5,498,654,952
It should be taken into account, that the estimated import requirements are averages, based on seasonal and other factors;
and also dependent on reasonable rain during the growing seasons.
The People
2
The following table shows the projected municipal populations, projected from known historical statistics, using the NSO
census documentation. It is expected that the population numbers are with 1.00% accuracy.
Municipality 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Allen 22,909 23,525 24,157 24,806 25,472 26,156 26,858 27,580 28,321 29,081 29,862
Biri 9,391 9,535 9,682 9,831 9,983 10,137 10,293 10,451 10,612 10,776 10,942
Bobon 18,698 19,090 19,492 19,901 20,319 20,746 21,182 21,628 22,082 22,546 23,020
Capul 11,221 11,346 11,471 11,599 11,727 11,857 11,989 12,122 12,256 12,392 12,530
Catarman 77,977 80,220 82,527 84,900 87,341 89,853 92,437 95,095 97,830 100,643 103,538
Catubig 29,735 30,333 30,943 31,565 32,200 32,848 33,508 34,182 34,870 35,571 36,287
Gamay 24,784 25,543 26,325 27,131 27,962 28,818 29,700 30,610 31,547 32,513 33,509
Laoang 62,086 63,721 65,398 67,119 68,886 70,699 72,560 74,470 76,430 78,442 80,507
Lapinig 12,367 12,707 13,057 13,416 13,785 14,164 14,553 14,954 15,365 15,788 16,222
Las Navas 34,454 35,578 36,739 37,937 39,174 40,452 41,772 43,134 44,541 45,994 47,494
Lavezares 26,917 27,544 28,186 28,842 29,514 30,201 30,904 31,624 32,360 33,114 33,885
Lope de Vega 13,247 13,567 13,896 14,232 14,577 14,929 15,291 15,661 16,040 16,428 16,826
Mapanas 13,549 14,087 14,647 15,229 15,834 16,463 17,117 17,797 18,504 19,239 20,003
Mondragon 32,197 33,086 34,000 34,938 35,903 36,894 37,913 38,960 40,035 41,141 42,276
Palapag 37,595 39,195 40,864 42,604 44,418 46,310 48,281 50,337 52,480 54,715 57,044
Pambujan 29,841 30,820 31,831 32,875 33,954 35,067 36,218 37,406 38,633 39,900 41,209
Rosario 9,824 10,078 10,339 10,606 10,880 11,161 11,450 11,746 12,050 12,361 12,681
San Antonio 8,320 8,403 8,487 8,572 8,658 8,745 8,832 8,921 9,010 9,100 9,192
San Isidro 25,491 26,056 26,633 27,222 27,825 28,441 29,071 29,715 30,373 31,046 31,733
San Jose 15,220 15,575 15,938 16,309 16,689 17,078 17,476 17,883 18,300 18,727 19,163
San Roque 23,750 24,618 25,519 26,452 27,420 28,423 29,462 30,540 31,657 32,815 34,015
San Vicente 5,858 5,864 5,869 5,875 5,880 5,886 5,891 5,896 5,902 5,907 5,913
Silvino Lobos 14,930 15,434 15,955 16,494 17,051 17,627 18,223 18,838 19,474 20,132 20,812
Victoria 13,192 13,529 13,874 14,227 14,590 14,962 15,344 15,735 16,136 16,548 16,969
Totals: 573,554 589,454 605,826 622,684 640,043 657,918 676,326 695,284 714,809 734,919 755,631
It is expected that during year 2025, the population of the Province of Northern Samar will reach 1,000,000 people and
double before 2030. By this time, it is probable, with the same agricultural production rates, that a famine situation may be
prevalent.
The People
3
The Population:
.
Annual Expansion
Municipality Rate by Percent 2005
Allen 2.6859% 22,909
Biri 1.5400% 9,391
Bobon 2.1014% 18,698
Capul 1.1091% 11,221
Catarman 2.8758% 77,977
Catubig 2.0112% 29,735
Gamay 3.0623% 24,784
Laoang 2.6322% 62,086
Lapinig 2.7505% 12,367
Las Navas 3.2617% 34,454
Lavezares 2.3286% 26,917
Lope de Vega 2.4202% 13,247
Mapanas 3.9727% 13,549
Mondragon 2.7610% 32,197
Palapag 4.2578% 37,595
Pambujan 3.2803% 29,841
Rosario 2.5854% 9,824
San Antonio 1.0019% 8,320
San Isidro 2.2144% 25,491
San Jose 2.3305% 15,220
San Roque 3.6576% 23,750
San Vicente 0.0931% 5,858
Silvino Lobos 3.3776% 14,930
Victoria 2.5497% 13,192
Totals 573,554
The table above shows the individual municipal annual population expansion rates
based on the 1990 and 2000 censuses and gives a provincial annual population
expansion rate of 2.6972%, which is the highest in the region. The table shows that
Gamay, Mapanas, Pambujan, San Roque and Silvino Lobos all with over three percent
annual population expansion and Palapag with 4.2578% and these percentages should
concern the urban planners.
The People
4
3.0%
2.69720%
Population expansion rate 1990-2000
2.5%
1.85020%
2.0% 1.74310%
1.531480%
1.5% 1.32920%
1.12820%
1.0%
0.5%
0.0%
E Samar N Samar Samar (W) S Leyte Leyte Biliran
The People
5
The maps above and below, show the municipal population densities for 2005 and 2010 and
highlight the population density stress areas of the islands and four mainland
municipalities..
The People
6
The two maps above illustrate the municipalities with urban population stresses and
the consequential pressure on health, education and potable water services. Allen
and San Jose are at particular risk from these stresses.
The following graph shows the age ranges of the population in 2000 and shows the
high percentages of the population between the ages of one through 19, making up
50% of the total population.
The People
7
2000 - Population Age Range by Percentage
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%
Under 1 3.09%
1 to 4 12.76%
5 to 9 15.01%
10 to 14 12.75%
15 to 19 9.86%
20 to 24 7.71%
24 to 29 6.74%
30 to 34 5.94%
35 to 39 5.20%
40 to 44 4.39%
45 to 49 3.72%
50 to 54 3.28%
55 to 59 2.94%
60 to 64 2.42%
65 to 69 1.67%
70 to 74 1.17%
75 to 79 0.69%
Over 80 0.67%
The following graph shows the gender split through the age ranges and shows the
predominance of males until the age of 45 or so, when the female population starts
to predominate.
The People
8
58
2000 - Population Age to Gender Ratios by Percentage
56
54
52
50
48
46
44
Male Female
42
40
Under 1 to 4 5 to 9 10 to 15 to 20 to 24 to 30 to 35 to 40 to 45 to 50 to 55 to 60 to 65 to 70 to 75 to Over
1 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 69 74 79 80
The graph below clearly shows the age range of the provincial population:
18%
16%
Provincial Population by % of Age 2004
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
Under 1 to 4 5 to 10 to 15 to 20 to 24 to 30 to 35 to 40 to 45 to 50 to 55 to 60 to 65 to 70
1 9 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 69 Plus
From the NSO statistics, it can be seen that the female / male employment
statistics are nearly even throughout the accepted ‘working age’ range, although by
the age of 54 the males in employment declines below the number of females.
The People
9
30,000
Male / Female Population Employment Split by Number
25,000
Working Age Group Male
Working Age Group Female
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
15 to 19 20 to 24 24 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64
PROVINCIAL POPULATION BY AGE & SEX DESIGNATION: 2005

Age group % of Pop. Population Male % Male Female % Female
Under 1 4.21% 24,146 12,491 51.73% 11,654 48.26%
1 to 4 15.00% 86,036 44,004 51.15% 42,031 48.85%
5 to 9 15.25% 87,470 44,959 51.40% 42,510 48.60%
10 to 14 12.42% 71,230 36,300 50.96% 34,932 49.04%
15 to 19 10.62% 60,913 31,955 52.46% 28,958 47.54%
20 to 24 8.66% 49,671 25,584 51.51% 24,087 48.49%
24 to 29 7.02% 40,264 20,464 50.82% 19,799 49.17%
30 to 34 5.76% 33,038 16,959 51.33% 16,088 48.70%
35 to 39 4.74% 27,187 13,908 51.16% 13,278 48.84%
40 to 44 3.91% 22,426 11,345 50.59% 11,080 49.41%
45 to 49 3.30% 18,927 9,672 51.10% 9,254 48.90%
50 to 54 2.75% 15,771 7,815 49.55% 7,955 50.44%
55 to 59 2.21% 12,676 6,316 49.83% 6,360 50.17%
60 to 64 1.63% 9,347 4,597 49.18% 4,749 50.81%
65 to 69 1.12% 6,424 3,074 47.86% 3,349 52.13%
70 Plus 1.40% 8,029 3,813 47.49% 4,215 52.50%
573,555 293,256 51.13% 280,300 48.87%
The table above shows the gender split by age range of the province, although this
may not truly reflect the municipal populations. [There are also very slight variations
caused by computer workings]
The People
10
Male Female 2004 Provincial Population Age to Gender split
53%
52%
51%
50%
49%
48%
47%
4
24
29
34
39
44
49
54
59
64
69
14
19
us
1
to
r
to
Pl
e
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
nd
70
5
10
15
20
24
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
U
The following map shows the percentage of available land per municipality against
the percentage of population and highlights the municipalities of San Jose [0.81% of
the provincial land and 2.65% of the population] and Allen [1.36% land to 3.99%
population]; whereas a municipality such as Mondragon has 8.26% of the land and
5.61% of the population. It is accepted that land availability is dependent on terrain
for the urban areas.
The following map depicts the municipalities land area to population size as ratios:
The People
11
The number of households in the province totalled 108,442 in 2005 and this is
expected to reach 124,312 by 2010; a percentage increase of 12.77% over five
years.
The People
12
As noted on the above map, the households for Catarman town are speculative, as it
is probable that competition from expanding commercial enterprises will raise land
values and residential householders will take advantage of this opportunity and
relocate.
The average household inhabitants of the province are 5.3 per household, although
Silvino Lobos shows to be 6.3, with Lapinig [5.8] San Roque [5.7] and Pambujan [5.7]
showing higher than average.
The People
13
7.00 6.85
Household Population 2003
6.80
6.60
6.40 6.31
6.16 6.13
6.20
6.00
5.80
5.60
The graph above shows the findings of the VSO barangay survey of household
populations, showing that the upland barangays have a higher rate.
Above 18 Below 18 Household Population Above & Below the Age of 18 years
60% 55.66% 55.16%

51.13% 49.62% 50.38%
48.87%
50% 44.34% 44.84%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Provincial statistics show that of the total number of homeless people, the majority
are located in the major urban and trading areas such Laoang, Catubig, Catarman and
Allen and that this sector of the community is very mobile and able to move, when
town fiestas or other opportunities [such as crop planting and harvesting] arise.
These statistics were taken from the 1990 population census [as an example] and
show the percentage of a municipal population as a percentage of the provincial
figure, without official residences. There are now many more souls living on the
streets and begging fluctuates as the seasons change, becoming more
commercialised.
The People
14
Statistical analysis shows that, in general, certain areas are experiencing
populations ‘drifts’; with some areas showing increases over the general population
expansion rates, whilst others show population decreases.
Changes
Blues denote declining population percentages
Greens denote ‘no change’ populations
Pink denotes small population increases
Red denotes high population increases
Population ‘drift’ refers to the permanent relocation of householders to other areas,

where they assume that better opportunities await them. The map above shows that
Allen, Palapag, Pambujan and Silvino Lobos are experiencing high increases in
populations, whilst the islands, Gamay, Mapanas, Lope de Vega and San Jose are
experiencing medium to high population declines.
The People
15
The lack of livelihood opportunity on the islands and remote municipalities is
reflected in the increases in the municipalities where opportunities are growing. San
Roque, Pambujan, Laoang and Palapag are prime examples of trading municipalities
that may afford livelihood opportunities, at the cost of the more remote
municipalities. Silvino Lobos seems to be the exception to this, as it is both remote
and hard to access, although there may be other reasons for their increase.
The island populations will always drift to a mainland and Northern Samar is no
different in this and as Allen is a busy shipping area, it is natural that remote
islanders have moved there to take advantage of the livelihood potentials. That
Allen, Pambujan and Palapag are suffering stress in services provision is to be
expected. The population drift shows that between 15% and 18% of Northern
Samar’s population migrate out of the province.
This ‘out migration’ is to be expected, as it is considered that there are greater
livelihood opportunities in the major metropolitan areas and abroad for those with
the ability to afford the cost of relocating. Experience shows that all skill levels
leave the province, from labourers to academic achievers and professionals.
Given the various population and service problems, certain municipalities are
experiencing some stress factors, although they have not, as yet, been able to
identify the root causes. It is only by analysing the various statistics and in some
cases, amalgamating various types of statistics that can make any stress factor
identifiable.
One of the most alarming and unreported consequences of the population drift,
especially in the families that leave the province, are the tragic consequences of
child abuse in households where the parents have left to work in abroad or in Manila
[or other large metro areas] and left their children and teenagers in the hands of
elderly relatives or siblings.
The People
16
Unreported often due to the conservative barangay folk closing in and hiding the
fact that some of their community members are sexually abusing young children and
no action is taken to apprehend the culprits, often before they flee the area.
There are cases, unreported of course, where young girls have been incestuously
raped by uncles or grandfathers over a number of years from the age of five years
and older. Some municipal leaders have attempted to find out more about these
cases and have been met with walls of silence. Where some cases have been
reported, culprits often escape justice by fleeing and the children are passed into
the care of the provincial social services department that is already under stress
and short of facilities or money to respond to all of the needs.
Very few cases of violence against women and girls are reported [2 rapes in 2004]
and reading the criminal statistics would lead a reader to believe that this province
has only rare cases of violence against women. The sad truth is that, within this
paternal culture, fear and shame restrain the women and girls from making public
the shame that they feel and may fear losing their family and even fear more abuse
from the abusers.
Other Health Matters:
As with other provinces, incidences of leprosy and other health related problems
still linger and the increasing number of Dengue fever and Schistomiasis [Bilharzia],
although not at levels that constitute increased concern are troublesome in that the
province may lack the ability to respond, should these reach higher levels.
In 2004, there were 1,322 cases of Dengue fever reported, mainly in the
municipalities of Allen [116], Bobon [71], Catarman [184], Laoang [52], Mondragon
[54], Palapag [145] and highest Victoria [178] with Lope de Vega [14] and Pambujan
[17] showing least cases. Of the two strains, Aedes Aegypti showed at 23% and
Aedes Albo showed at 77%.
In 2004, a total of 41 cases of Leprosy [Hansen’s Disease] were reported with most
cases in the municipalities of Las Navas [9], Catarman [7] and Catubig [4].
The incidences of Rabies were very low and it is to the credit of the service
providers that the province keeps on top of the situation.
One of the squalid areas of occupation in Catarman,
where migrants have set up homes by clearing an area of
Nipa. Areas such as these house many families with
malnourished children and many with internal and
external parasites.
This is near the market; where many act as labourers and
others scavenge.
A new housing scheme by the Provincial government and
the National Housing Authority will rehouse these and
close the site.
The People
17
Stress factors:
It is not often realised that stress factors within a certain area can cause major
problems for the area managers, in this case, the provincial and municipal planners
and budgeters. Analysis of any area will show where health and education services
start to fail and budgets are expended sooner than expected.
Potable water, considered an essential is only available to 81.55% of the population,
using the United Nations guidelines of potable water sources within 250 metres of a
household.
The data used to project these municipalities is drawn from: % of provincial population, % of
urban population, population density, population expansion rates, malnourished under fives,
child mortality under one year old, households without sanitation, reported violent crime rates
and 1st year elementary school dropout rates.
In some areas, where there are barangays in at risk environmental areas or
overcrowded, the provincial government under Governor Daza, together with the
National Housing Authority and Gawad Kalinga [Couples for Christ] have jointly
financed more than 300 hundred new homes on a site donated by the provincial
government. The original intention was to construct 370 homes and a community
facilities building. However, the number of houses constructed may now have to be
reduced as the extension and increase of E-VAT and the impact of the fuel price
rises will probably mean that fewer houses will be erected. Gawad Kalinga will
manage the site.
The table below shows the municipal hierarchy status at 2000 [NSO]:
Large Town 50,000 plus urban population,
Medium Town 25,000 to 50,000 urban population,
Small Town 2,500 to 25,000 urban population,
Village To 2,500 urban population.
The People
18
2000 Municipal 2000 Urban
Municipality Hierarchy Population
Allen Small 11,496
Biri Village 2,452
Bobon Small 4,509
Capul Small 4,491
Catarman Medium 39,870
Catubig Small 5,440
Gamay Small 3,175
Laoang Medium 18,298
Lapinig Small 5,303
Las Navas Small 6,048
Lavezares Small 6,017
Lope de Vega Small 3,159
Mapanas Village 1,784
Mondragon Small 8,461
Palapag Small 7,877
Pambujan Small 12,023
Rosario Village 2,492
San Antonio Small 2,543
San Isidro Small 2,711
San Jose Small 3,600
San Roque Small 9,488
San Vicente Village 2,340
Silvino Lobos Small 2,567
Victoria Small 2,567
The People
19
Is Gender an Issue?
There are many organisations dealing with ‘gender issues’ and many of these are
headed by women fighting to equalise overt opportunities for women. The author
does not seek to make too many comments regarding their activities, other than
to say that often, they tend to seek to increase the workload of women, with more
and more income generating livelihoods, and there seems to be little action on
reproductive health matters. There also seems to be an internal argument on the
age of legal marriage against the traditional age of marriage, and these
organisations must make an explicit stand on this matter.
With the highest population expansion rate within the region at 2.6972%, a pro-
life attitude of senior medical staff, and some indifference regarding birth
control technology, it would seem that the province intends to maintain the high
population expansion rate that it cannot afford.
The map above shows the individual population expansion rates by municipality,
with Palapag showing a very high percentage of 4.2579% and the islands showing
very low figures.
Most women spoken to wanted to reduce the number of children that they bore
while most men showed no intention to allow birth control methods. This is the
“Keep them pregnant and barefoot” mentality of the males that dispossesses the
women of their rights.
It is found in many impoverished societies that families have a large number of
children. Children provide support for the family income generation activities and
this has been the case for centuries. However, it could be argued that this has no
place in the modern world. The reverse of this was found in an African country,
when a women’s NGO fought the government’s compulsory birth law. They won on
civil rights issues to determine for themselves the number of children that they
Is Gender an Issue
1
bore, stating that it was no ones business but the woman’s and her partner’s to
make these decisions. As usual, there are two sides to every argument.
Marriage or Rape:
A debate is ongoing as regards ‘Legal’ marriage against ‘Traditional’ marriage and,
in the Philippines, the law does not seem to help the women. It is only females (and
the Philippines law classes’ 12-year-olds as women, not girls) 12 years of age or
less who can claim automatic rape; above this age, if it is consensual, no law has
been broken. This same theme is found throughout the whole range of laws on
Crimes against chastity. In other words, it seems that consensual sex with a
female above the age of 12 is legal, although the term ‘consensual’ would be open
to legal interpretation. A woman above the age of 12 may have to be seen and
known as very moral in the public eye in order to challenge an assertion of consent.
Of course there are many circumstances affecting these legal terms, but
attorneys have assured that this consensual sex is allowable, under Philippines law.
Therefore, it stands to reason that the underage ‘marriages’ of teenagers in the
barangays is legal, as it would be seen as consensual. The ‘Family Code Law’,
although signed by the president, has not yet been ratified by congress and is
therefore not valid.
The Barangay Girl:

In all of the areas that were visited during the VSO survey of 2003 and
since, the naiveté of the girls and young women in Northern Samar borders
on pure ignorance. Few have any idea of how their bodies work, take
modesty to extremes and seem, more than in any other area, to be conditioned to
the old fashioned ‘woman’s role’ as child bearer, cook, gardener, cleaner,
washerwoman, marketer, etc. Few seem to want to assert their human rights,
assuming that they know what these are even while most do not.
The preconditioning of the girls to the ‘female role’ starts at a very early age.
They are given the majority of basic household tasks, whereas the boys are often
made to help dad or uncle in ‘manly’ tasks. About the only joint activity in the
under-ten-year-olds seems to be the carrying of water. Other than this, there are
few shared chores.
While the women and girls always seem to be busy, the males are allowed more
free time and are often seen just walking walk around stroking the feathers of
their roosters. One wonders if the waiting shed was a male invention, as they seem
to spend a lot of time in them.
It is certain that the lack of media access, lack of quality education and the lack
of genuine programmes for the overall development of women and girls is a root
cause of why so few will attain any equality in this area. That so few girls in their
Is Gender an Issue
2
late teens know how their bodies work and certainly few know the reason why they
menstruate. Even fewer know about STDs, such as HIV AIDS and other diseases
that can infect them. Uterine tract infections are common and most of these are
related to poor female hygiene practices.
Aside from lack of access to information relevant to them as women, few are
aware of international events or even events happening in the Philippines. In
addition, youth activities are very limited, with only one really successful youth
group in the area and the oft spoken complaint of “I’m bored” coming from many.
For girls, washing, cooking and schooling take up their time; out-of-school
activities and selection of friends are strongly controlled by mother. Since their
parents are mostly uneducated and have no interest about what happens outside
of the barangay, it is no wonder that the kids are bored and backward, and can
quickly be painted in a bad light by local gossip.
Life for these women from the low-income families is toil. However, they
are the silent backbone that holds these families and communities
together.
Continued ignorance due to the poor standards of education adds to the
impoverished situation of most women, and will set back development and
disenfranchise women even more.
Women at work:
‘Women at Work’ is not intended to denigrate those women that work hard in the
home, but seeks to look at women who work outside of the home. A cursory look
into the offices and retail stores reveals that employees comprise mostly of
women. Mini-stores have mostly women as proprietors; and it is predominantly
women and young girls that are seen vending around the streets. Thus, it may be
asserted that women hold up the local economy.
The greatest number of female store and cafe workers is aged between 13 and
23. They receive on average wage of P800 to P1,400 per month, and work 12 hours
a day, with perhaps a whole or half day’s leave of absence once a month. Some are
married and some are single mothers, often leaving their children in the care of
grandparents while at work, who in turn demand a share of the wages earned.
Some earn much less than the average. Many young females try to earn money to
support their education expenses by working in the house of an aunt or uncle as
maid or child minder [Yaya]. The competition for work among low-income families
places an increasing burden upon the younger females, and storeowners are
capitalising on this by offering lower wages and expecting greater returns. Labour
laws are totally ineffectual in protecting these youngsters from being abused; the
infringements border on bonded labour or slavery.
Is Gender an Issue
3
The ages of women in the workforce range 15 to 64 years. They make up 49.25%
of the working population, and overall consist 48.87% of the total population in
2004.
PROVINCIAL POPULATION BY AGE & SEX DESIGNATION: 2005

Age group % of Pop. Population Male % Male Female % Female
Under 1 4.21% 24,146 12,491 51.73% 11,654 48.26%
1 to 4 15.00% 86,036 44,004 51.15% 42,031 48.85%
5 to 9 15.25% 87,470 44,959 51.40% 42,510 48.60%
10 to 14 12.42% 71,230 36,300 50.96% 34,931 49.04%
15 to 19 10.62% 60,913 31,955 52.46% 28,958 47.54%
20 to 24 8.66% 49,671 25,584 51.51% 24,087 48.49%
24 to 29 7.02% 40,264 20,464 50.82% 19,799 49.17%
30 to 34 5.76% 33,038 16,959 51.33% 16,088 48.70%
35 to 39 4.74% 27,187 13,908 51.16% 13,278 48.84%
40 to 44 3.91% 22,426 11,345 50.59% 11,080 49.41%
45 to 49 3.30% 18,927 9,672 51.10% 9,254 48.90%
50 to 54 2.75% 15,771 7,815 49.55% 7,955 50.44%
55 to 59 2.21% 12,676 6,316 49.83% 6,360 50.17%
60 to 64 1.63% 9,347 4,597 49.18% 4,749 50.81%
65 to 69 1.12% 6,424 3,074 47.86% 3,349 52.13%
70 Plus 1.40% 8,029 3,813 47.49% 4,215 52.50%
573,555 293,256 51.13% 280,300 48.87%
In the three main age brackets the percentages of men and women vary only
slightly. However, in the over-sixties bracket, women are seven percent higher
than the males, many passing on from 50 years of age.
% Of Total Population % Male % Female

Under 1 to 14 43.61% 51.31% 48.69%
15 to 59 49.77% 50.93% 49.07%
60 & Over 6.63% 46.86% 53.13%
100.00%
Is Gender an Issue
4
2004 Provincial Population Age to Gender split
53%
52%
51%
50%
Male Female
49%
48%
47%
9
14
19
4
24
29
34
39
44
49
54
59
64
69
1
us
er
to
to
Pl
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
nd
70
1
10
15
20
24
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
U
Thousands
Male / Female Population Employment Split by Number
30
25
20
Working Age Group Male
Working Age Group Female
15
10
5
15 to 19 20 to 24 24 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64
The ratio of men to women at work is fairly close, with more males in work until
the age of 50 and then more women.
Is Gender an Issue
5
2000 - Provincial Age and Gender Ratios by Percentage
Male Female Poly. (Male) Poly. (Female)
40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58
Under 1
5to9
15 t o 19
24 t o 29
35 t o 39
45 t o 49
55 t o 59
65 t o 69
75 t o 79
Abuses:
Sexual abuse
Throughout the world, the sexual abuse of women and girls exists, and it is
inevitable that domestic crimes of this nature will be found in the Philippines.
However, these problems are exacerbated in the Philippines in several ways.
First, there is a lack of safe sanctuary or private areas where these issues can be
discussed, as well as mechanisms to report and remedy abuse. Where such areas
or mechanisms are present, there appears a lack of interest or action by legal
authorities.
Second, the almost unlimited access by male teenagers to pornographic Internet
sites installs in these youths the perception of women and girls as sex objects and
servants.
Third, since many young children are left in the care of relatives while their
parents are away at work, many of these children are left open to, and indeed
suffer, sexual abuse by their caregivers. An example of this is of a young girl
from one of the islands, now 12 years old, whose parents work in Manila. She was
repeatedly raped by her grandfather since the age of five, and finally, after seven
years, sought the help and protection of the Mayor. The Mayor placed her with a
good family in the poblacion where the girl now continues to emotionally recover
from her trauma. To date, no one has seen or heard from the parents for four
years.
Is Gender an Issue
6
Or, of the girl, now eleven years old, who complained to the barangay captain
about her uncle who had been raping her for many months. But instead of
providing the support she sought, the community closed in upon itself, keeping the
problem hidden until a teacher followed up on declining school results and found
the girl emotionally disturbed and withdrawn. In the meantime, the uncle had
already disappeared off the island. To date, the girl still resides in the barangay,
carefully watched [and maybe even blamed] by the entire community.
Or, of the 14-year-old girl who claimed to have been raped by three drunken men
when she went to take a dip in the evening waters of her seaside barangay.
Because she had the image of being sexually active, her claims were ignored.
Fourth and finally, the boredom of many youngsters, and the diversions provided
by karaoke bars and cheap alcohol, easily draw young naive barangay girls into the
adult male world of sex, drugs and alcohol.
Many teenage and pre-teenage girls in Catarman and one or two other
municipalities have been manipulated and coerced sexually. A significant number
of them have run away from remote barangays to escape poverty, only to find
themselves’ stuck in the role of sex worker for many years, and becoming
hardened prostitutes. Seen in this perspective, it is difficult to argue that they
engage in sex consensually. And to whom can they turn? The provincial social
services can only cater to the worst of cases; they do their best, but would be
quickly overwhelmed if they try to rescue all those in need of care and protection.
Abandonment
Many children are also abandoned by their parents, who leave the province to work
either abroad or in Manila. In most cases, the parents send small amounts of
money to the children for a year or so, after which this ceases and the children
are left to fend for themselves. As a result, there are many ‘families’ that consist
of children only, with the oldest child only in their late teens and already acting as
head of the family. Social research on this concern reveals that cultural
conditioning is such that it is usually the girls who take on the parenting role in
the absence of adult care.
Labour abuse
In conditions where long hours and meagre wages are the norm and competition is
fierce for any job opening, the continuing enslavement of women and girls in the
workplace adds to their already multiple burdens. However, it is strange that many
of these women at work are managed by women.
Is Gender an Issue?
Yes can be the only answer to this question. Gender certainly is an issue that
should be addressed, but maybe not from the normal concept of gender issues.
Is Gender an Issue
7
First of all, the country’s laws must be aligned to protect those under the age of
sixteen against sexual activity, ‘consensual’ or otherwise. The Filipino girl
physically matures early, as do many Asian and African ethnic groups. However,
the Filipino girl is years behind other ethnic groups in terms of mental or
emotional development and, if they are to be a part of a modern and forward-
looking Filipino nation, they must be prepared for this role with better all-round
education.
Also, mothers themselves must stop recycling the traditional gender roles in the
household. The right to choose the number of children borne is an innate right of
a woman, as it is she who knows what her body and mind can stand. This is
important in view of the mother being the economic and emotional backbone of the
family.
The right to safe motherhood should also be addressed and the males should take
a more active role in this respect, easing the pressure on women to bear more
children. The VSO survey reveals that contraception aids are very scarce in the
conservative barangays. The church’s stand against contraception adds to the
burden on women.
Conclusion:
Again, YES, gender is very much an issue in this province and yet, unless this is
seriously addressed, little or nothing will change and the burdens put upon the
women’s moral and social status will increase. What laws there are, that should
protect the women and girls, are mere paper tigers; and whilst power of decision
remains in the hands of the males, nothing will change. However, even with lady
mayors and even a lady governor at one time, these issues were not and still are
not addressed.
The aptitude and attitude of the teaching staff, again mostly women, aggravates
the gender situation by its clear disregard of gender and reproductive issues. The
continuance of the role conditioning in the homes only adds to restrict any
significant development of the status of women and girls.
Is Gender an Issue
8
Land Use & Tenure
This section of the document looks at the typical land use and tenure, using mostly
the statistics gathered from the NSO 2002 agricultural census and extracts from
the VSO 2003 survey.
As can be seen by the map above, the provincial government has identified and
designated certain areas as agricultural development locations and have also wisely,
designated other areas as not suitable for agriculture. The map identifies Bobon,
Catarman, Mondragon, Laoang, Palapag, Catubig, Las Navas and parts of Silvino Lobos
as prime areas for irrigated rice production and shows that areas in Lavezares, San
Roque, Pambujan and Palapag are not suitable. This map shows that the riverine area
that includes Las Navas, Catubig, Pambujan and Laoang has great potential for food
production and that the island of San Antonio also has some potential.
The VSO survey was intentionally directed towards ‘working’ barangays, where
livelihood activities are mostly dependent on agriculture, marine and other natural
products. Urban and suburban barangays were not used for this survey. VSO only
stipulated that in one area, a coastal, an inland delta and an upland barangay were
randomly selected in each of the municipalities, also randomly selected by NGO
associates in the province.
For anyone involved in monitoring and evaluation, attempting to carry out
comparisons from reams of statistical data, is not only difficult and time consuming,
can also be confusing. The majority of the information in this sector will be
presented in table and graphic form.
Land Use & Tenure

1
The table below depicts the land resources used and unused throughout the province
and shows that Biri has no usable land resources.
AREA of LAND USE SUSTAINABILITY CATEGORIES SITUATIONAL
ANALYSIS – 'PPDO' 2004
Sustainable Over-used Under-used Total

Hectares Hectares Hectares Hectares
Allen 15,690 320 6,450 22,460
Biri 0 0 0 0
Bobon 40,320 3,280 42,900 86,500
Capul 13,260 1,710 2,500 17,470
Catarman 140,180 7,200 83,500 230,880
Catubig 142,530 3,270 107,850 253,650
Gamay 33,590 3,270 39,840 76,700
Laoang 105,790 2,900 72,550 181,240
Lapinig 8,140 0 19,000 27,140
Las Navas 50,660 3,100 124,000 177,760
Lavezares 13,070 13,000 42,000 68,070
Lope de Vega 59,750 1,240 48,200 109,190
Mapanas 34,550 6,150 60,370 101,070
Mondragon 82,100 2,360 154,350 238,810
Palapag 65,300 8,900 83,100 157,300
Pambujan 58,150 14,400 62,400 134,950
Rosario 4,662 2,100 16,530 23,292
San Antonio 2,780 2,320 21,100 26,200
San Isidro 60,000 4,450 85,000 149,450
San Jose 4,320 1,000 12,000 17,320
San Roque 27,450 8,500 109,500 145,450
San Vicente 10,620 1,050 2,600 14,270
Silvino Lobos 66,060 870 106,500 173,430
Victoria 43,660 1,750 126,220 171,630
1,082,632 93,140 1,428,460 2,604,232
This data shows the potential for agricultural development in Catarman, Catubig,
Laoang, Las Navas, Mondragon, San Roque, Silvino Lobos and Victoria. However, this
also shows that Catarman, Lavezares, Palapag, Pambujan and San Roque have large
amounts of overused land resources and this should be addressed.
Land Use & Tenure

2
Household Land Tenure by % 2003
45%
39.81%
40% 37.62%
35%
30%
25% 22.57%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Householders were asked about their tenure of usable agricultural land and the
graph shows that 39.81% of average households own no usable agricultural land.
Landless Owns Leases
Coastal 63.39% 29.91% 6.70%
Inland Delta 17.02% 46.81% 36.17%
Upland 6.38% 46.81% 46.81%
Overall 39.81% 37.62% 22.57%
The table above clearly shows the variation in land tenure in the various barangay
types, with a very low percentage of land ownership in the coastal barangays.
Farmers Philippines East Visayas Northern Samar
The DA’s report
Owned 47.66% 38.32% 42.60%
on land tenure
Partly owned 31.19% 38.63% 40.38%
shows the status
Tenanted 12.93% 16.64% 13.67%
of farmers and
Leased 2.31% 2.18% 1.08%
land area (H) in
Other forms 5.91% 4.24% 2.27%
2003 and shows
some variation Land Area (H)
from the NSO Owned 50.75% 40.93% 42.80%
census report of Partly owned 32.18% 41.91% 43.47%
2002. Tenanted 11.56% 14.02% 12.43%
Leased 2.10% 1.37% 0.70%
Other forms 3.41% 1.76% 0.59%
Land Use & Tenure

3
Farmers Land Area (H) DA Report on Northern Samar's Land tenure 2003
50%
42.60% 42.80% 43.47%
45% 40.38%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
13.67% 12.43%
15%
10%
5% 1.08% 0.70% 2.27%
0.59%
0%
Owned Partly owned Tenanted Leased Other forms
The graph above shows that according to the DA, the number of farmers and the
land areas in Northern Samar are very similar and that the DA uses a category of
‘Partly owned’ which various from the NSO categories.
The following table shows the tenure of farms (by farmers and land area [H])
according to the size of the farm plot
Size of Farm (Hectares)
Number of Farms 3.0 to 4.9 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.9 10.0 to 24.9 25.0 plus
Owned 45.08% 27.01% 13.09% 13.61% 1.20%
CLT or CLOA Holding 62.13% 27.22% 4.73% 3.55% 2.37%
Owner like Possession 48.14% 24.91% 12.49% 13.59% 0.88%
Tenanted 49.25% 29.62% 10.53% 10.26% 0.34%
Leased / Rented 52.26% 29.03% 12.90% 5.81% 0.00%
Rent free 48.57% 27.14% 20.00% 4.29% 0.00%
Other Tenure 41.18% 17.65% 23.53% 17.65% 0.00%
Not Reported 59.46% 25.68% 8.11% 6.76% 0.00%
Land Use & Tenure

4
Size of Farm (Hectares)
Land Area (H) 3.0 to 4.9 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.9 10.0 to 24.9 25.0 plus
Owned 24.38% 23.88% 16.40% 28.21% 7.13%
CLT or CLOA Holding 41.77% 29.57% 7.94% 6.90% 13.81%
Owner like Possession 27.04% 23.07% 16.36% 29.68% 3.86%
Tenanted 29.62% 29.03% 15.37% 23.46% 2.52%
Leased / Rented 35.10% 32.07% 19.44% 13.38% 0.00%
Rent free 32.69% 28.57% 29.40% 9.34% 0.00%
Other Tenure 26.23% 17.21% 31.97% 24.59% 0.00%
Not Reported 41.50% 30.64% 12.53% 15.32% 0.00%
3.0 to 4.9 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.9 10.0 to 24.9 25.0 plus
Number of Farms 46.78% 27.40% 12.34% 12.52% 0.95%
Land Area (H) 26.19% 25.07% 16.18% 26.82% 5.73%
Overall Comparison Farmers & Land Area (H) to Size of Plot (H)
50% 46.78%
45% Number of Farms Land Area (H)
40%
35%
30% 26.19% 27.40% 26.82%
25.07%
25%
20% 16.18%
12.34% 12.52%
15%
10% 5.73%
5% 0.95%
0%
3.0 to 4.9 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.9 10.0 to 24.9 25.0 plus
Landless Ow ns Leases All Barangays Land Tenure by Percentage

70%
63.39%
60%
50% 46.81% 46.81% 46.81%
39.81%
36.17% 37.62%
40%
29.91%
30%
22.57%
20% 17.02%
10% 6.70% 6.38%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

5
The main upland land tenure was shown, in this survey, to be balanced between
ownership and leasehold (inclusive of tenanted), with a very low incidence of
landlessness.
70%
58.33% ALL Crops (T & P) Average Land Tenure by % - 2002
60%
50%
40%
30% 25.89%
20%
10% 3.92%
1.61% 1.16%
0%
Owned Tenanted Leased Rent free Other +
The 2003 overall household surveys of VSO, showed the following as the main food
crops produced in the province, for direct food consumption or for sale. Any
reference to land tenure in the VSO survey, applies only to usable agricultural land
and not homestead land, for which a different type of tenure may be in operation.
Main Crop Production (Owned, Leased / Tenanted Tenure) by % 2003

100%
91.13%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
41.13%
40% 32.26%
30%
20%
10.48%
7.26%
10% 4.03%
0.81%
0%
White corn Yellow Irrigated Rainfed Upland Root crops Coconut
corn Rice Rice Rice
Land Use & Tenure

6
As expected, the predominant crop of all barangay types is the coconut. The
following graphs show the percentages of households dependent on coconut and
backyard fruit production and these are both for household consumption and sales.
Coconut Production by Barangay Type by Farmers with Land

Owned or Leased / Tenanted Land Tenure
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
100.00% 79.49% 93.18%
0%
However, although many farmers produce coconut they are not all totally dependent
on the income from coconut, for their livelihoods. The following graph shows the
householders that are dependent on coconut production.
100% Barangay Households Dependent on Coconut for Income 94.00%
90%
80%
67.55%
70%
60%
50%
37.08%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

7
Very few households do not have any fruit trees in their yard and the following
graph shows the percentage of householders informally producing fruit. Jackfruit is
also used as a vegetable and has an important role in food sourcing. This is informal
backyard fruit production and takes no account of any commercial production. At
the time of the survey, the growing importance on Pili was not known and not
reported on.
All Household Fruit Assets by % 2003

70% 65.53%
60%
50.00%
50%
38.83%
40%
32.04% 32.52%
27.67%
30%
20%
10%
2.43%
0%
Banana Pineapple Mango Jackfruit Papaya Guava Lanzones
The following graphs show the main crops produced in the upland barangays. The
irrigated rice is mostly dependent on small water impounding schemes, or utilisation
of directional spring water sources.
Land Use & Tenure

8
Upland Farmers Main Crops by % of Land Holders 2003
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
White corn 4.55%
Irrigated rice 6.82%
Rainfed rice 34.09%
Upland rice 18.18%
Root crops 38.64%
93.18%
Coconut
The following graph compares the percentage of farmers to the percentage of land
within the various forms of tenure.
Coconut Production Farmers to Land area (H) by %

80%
Coconut Farmers Coconut Land Area (H)
70% 65.02% 67.04%
60%
50%
40%
28.41%
30%
21.34%
20%
8.06%
10% 2.26% 1.64% 1.29% 3.32% 1.62%
0%
Owned Tenanted Leased Rent free Other
Land Use & Tenure

9
The following table shows the levels of national crop production increases or
decreases over the first quarters of 2003, 2004 and 2005 as provided by the DA
and shows that the major food crops of rice, banana and cassava have increased,
whilst corn and Kamote have decreased. The increases in coconut and abaca
production reflect the provincial information. All statistics are for thousand metric
tonnes.
Decreases
2003 2004 2005 2003-04 2004-05 Average
Corn 1353.34 1534.30 1252.79 +13.37% -18.35% -2.49%
Coffee 36.20 35.10 32.48 -3.04% -7.46% -5.25%
Mango 241.81 234.07 212.68 -3.20% -9.14% -6.17%
Tobacco 14.41 12.99 11.24 -9.85% -13.47% -11.66%
Kamote 125.33 120.64 122.07 -3.74% +1.19% -1.28%
Garlic 15.12 14.53 13.88 -3.90% -4.47% -4.19%
Calamansi 22.57 22.80 21.92 +1.02% -3.86% -1.42%
Rubber 37.87 38.56 37.73 +1.82% -2.15% -0.17%
Average Decrease -4.08%
Increases
2003 2004 2005 2003-04 2004-05 Average
Palay 3035.56 3434.38 3381.88 +13.14% -1.53% +5.80%
Coconut 3319.73 3301.28 3436.15 -0.56% +4.09% +1.76%
Sugarcane 11682.86 12109.56 11905.25 +3.65% -1.69% +0.98%
Banana 1251.94 1291.32 1327.11 +3.15% +2.77% +2.96%
Pineapple 411.51 422.72 420.83 +2.72% -0.45% +1.14%
Abaca 16.82 17.52 20.36 +4.16% +16.21% +10.19%
Peanut 11.63 12.04 12.46 +3.53% +3.49% +3.51%
Mongo 7.68 7.92 7.74 +3.13% -2.27% +0.43%
Cassava 271.20 273.13 274.97 +0.71% +0.67% +0.69%
Tomato 72.06 75.40 74.69 +4.64% -0.94% +1.85%
Onion 33.28 34.24 33.70 +2.88% -1.58% +0.65%
Cabbage 23.95 24.57 23.98 +2.59% -2.40% +0.09%
Eggplant 59.66 62.41 63.43 +4.61% +1.63% +3.12%
Average Increase +2.55%
Although the statistics in the table above do show certain trends, the time period is
not sufficient enough to determine trends sufficiently consistent for planning,
although they are guides.
Land Use & Tenure

10
This table shows the average increases or decreases in ‘farmgate’ prices per
kilogram for crops, as a national average and establishes a trend of increasing
farmgate (and thus retail) prices per kilogram greater that the general inflation
rate of +14.40%
Annual Increases 2 year Average

2003 2004 2005 2003-04 2004-05 2003-05
Palay 8.67 9.04 10.19 +4.27% +12.72% +8.49%
Corn 6.50 8.83 8.01 +35.85% -9.29% +13.28%
Coconut 2.73 3.36 3.89 +23.08% +15.77% +19.43%
Banana 5.58 6.06 6.65 +8.60% +9.74% +9.17%
Pineapple 7.30 4.68 5.58 -35.89% +19.23% -8.33%
Mango 19.21 20.60 22.26 +7.24% +8.06% +7.65%
Abaca 18.64 21.30 31.84 +14.27% +49.48% +31.88%
Peanut 18.57 20.34 23.68 +9.53% +16.42% +12.98%
Mongo 20.39 22.06 25.76 +8.19% +16.77% +12.48%
Cassava 3.67 3.24 4.66 -11.72% +43.83% +16.06%
Kamote 5.86 6.28 6.49 +7.17% +3.34% +5.26%
Tomato 8.67 4.94 9.70 -43.02% +96.36% +26.67%
Garlic 50.70 39.84 50.64 -21.42% +27.11% +2.84%
Onion 13.38 12.36 19.65 -7.62% +58.98% +25.68%
Cabbage 5.06 7.30 9.76 +44.27% +33.70% +38.98%
Eggplant 9.69 10.70 13.97 +10.42% +30.56% +20.49%
Calamansi 10.18 13.74 17.37 +34.97% +26.42% +30.69%
Average Increases +4.69% +24.12% +14.40%
The important food crops of rice, corn, banana, cassava and Kamote show an overall
increase of +10.45%
Land Use & Tenure

11
The livestock sector’s production and prices over the same period, show similar
trends to the crop sector as is shown below. Produce statistics are shown in
thousand metric tonnes.
Annual Increases 2 year Increase
2003 2004 2005 2003-04 2004-05 2003-05
Carabao 28.81 30.98 30.90 +7.53% -0.26% +3.64%
Cattle 62.36 61.58 57.62 -1.25% -6.43% -3.84%
Hog 414.61 431.02 422.60 +3.96% -1.95% +1.00%
Goat 16.90 16.96 17.75 +0.36% +4.66% +2.51%
Dairy 2.69 2.84 3.02 +5.58% +6.34% +5.96%
Chicken 303.74 311.56 335.39 +2.57% +7.65% +5.11%

Duck 13.88 13.63 13.87 -1.80% +1.76% -0.02%
Chicken eggs 64.99 70.38 76.90 +8.29% +9.26% +8.78%
Duck eggs 12.74 13.21 13.21 +3.69% +0.00% +1.84%
FISH
Commercial 253.88 273.49 282.09 +7.72% +3.14% +5.43%
Municipal 260.45 276.02 279.75 +5.98% +1.35% +3.66%
Aquaculture 302.13 424.50 466.44 +40.50% +9.88% +25.19%
Prices are ‘farmgate’ and per kilogram:

Annual Increases 2 year Increase
2003 2004 2005 2003-04 2004-05 2003-05
Carabao 42.43 37.23 49.39 -12.26% +32.66% +10.20%
Cattle 51.62 50.69 65.36 -1.80% +28.94% +13.57%
Hog 50.57 65.29 73.26 +29.11% +12.21% +20.66%
Goat 58.25 56.08 64.57 -3.73% +15.14% +5.71%
Dairy 24.97 30.00 31.75 +20.14% +5.83% +12.99%
Chicken 59.38 71.32 77.22 +20.11% +8.27% +14.19%

Duck 61.35 46.96 57.43 -23.46% +22.30% -0.58%
Chicken eggs 66.57 66.67 72.87 +0.15% +9.30% +4.72%
Duck eggs 44.85 53.83 52.80 +20.02% -1.91% +9.05%
FISH
Commercial 38.47 42.28 39.28 +9.90% -7.10% +1.40%
Municipal 38.65 41.81 45.01 +8.18% +7.65% +7.91%
Aquaculture 29.10 25.39 25.57 -12.75% +0.71% -6.02%
Land Use & Tenure

12
Although the production of livestock, poultry and fish has increased overall by
+4.94%, the farmgate price per kilogram has increased by +7.82% and should this
trend continue, many of the basic protein foods might become too expensive for
those on low incomes.
Increases Production National Production & Prices Comparison 2003-2005
Increases Prices
12% Expon. (Increases Production) 11.17%
Expon. (Increases Prices)

10%
7.82%
8% 6.93%
6% 4.94%
4.47%
4% 2.95%
2%
0%
2003-04 2004-05 Trend Average
The graph above shows a comparison between production and farmgate prices over
the period and shows predicted trends for both, although these are conjecture,
they are based on available statistics.
The following graph (NSO data) shows a comparison between the land used for
temporary and permanent crops by plot size.
Percentage of Temporary & Permanent Crop by Plot Size by % 2002

0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00%
0.90%
Under 0.5 Temporary Crops Permanent Crops
0.21%
2.01%
0.0 to 0.99
1.07%
8.62%
1.0 to 1.99
7.60%
10.32%
2.0 2.99
10.61%
20.88%
3.0 to 4.99 20.64%
20.39%
5.0 to 7.0
18.77%
14.77%
7.1 to 9.99
14.06%
19.13%
10.0 to 24.99
22.18%
3.00%
25.0 +
4.86%
Land Use & Tenure

13
This shows that the majority of temporary and permanent crops are grown on the
3.0 to 24.99 hectare range, disregarding any land tenure arrangements.
60% 56.14%
Palay Production Land Tenure by % - 2002
50%
38.39%
40%
30%
20%
10%
3.34%
0.89% 1.23%
0%
80%
67.66%
70% Root Crops Production Land Tenure by % - 2002
60%
50%
40%
30%
16.56%
20%
10.43%
10% 2.78% 2.58%
0%
70%
61.12%
Banana Production by % of land Size - 2002
60%
50%
40% 33.90%
30%
20%
10%
1.98% 1.94% 1.06%
0%
Ow ned Tenanted Leased Rent free Other +
Land Use & Tenure

14
80%
67.04% Coconut Production by % Land Tenure 2002
70%
60%
50%
40%
28.41%
30%
20%
10%
1.64% 1.29% 1.62%
0%
The following two graphs show the land tenure by percentage of farmers, compared
with the percentage of land under a particular tenure type.
Palay Production Farmers to land Area (H)

60% 56.14% 55.11%
Palay Farmers Palay Land Area (H)
50%
38.88%
38.39%
40%
30%
20%
10%
3.34% 3.44%
0.89%1.27% 1.23%1.30%
0%

Palay Farmers 57.02% 21.37% 2.01% 8.80% 1.71%
Average by Land Area (H) 66.23% 26.41% 1.75% 4.33% 1.29%
These show that for palay, 57.84% of Farmers own 55.11% of the land used for
palay production and that for coconut, 65.02% of farmers own 67.04% of the
coconut plantations.
Land Use & Tenure

15
Coconut Production Farmers to Land area (H) by %
80%
67.04% Coconut Farmers Coconut Land Area (H)
70% 65.02%
60%
50%
40%
28.41%
30% 21.34%
20%
8.06%
10% 2.26% 1.64% 1.29%
3.32% 1.62%
0%

Coconut Farmers 65.02% 21.34% 2.26% 8.06% 3.32%
Coconut Land Area (H) 67.04% 28.41% 1.64% 1.29% 1.62%
The 2002 NSO agricultural census also provides statistics on the plot sizes used by
farmers and also provides useful information regarding the productivity of the
trees and plants.
25% 22.80% 22.61%

Coconut Production by Land Size by % - 2002
20% 18.05%
15% 13.21%
10%
6.30% 6.85% 6.45%
5% 3.19%
0.53%
0%
Under 0.5 0.0 to 1.0 to 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 10.0 to 25.0 +
0.99 1.99 4.99 9.99 24.99
Land Use & Tenure

16
Out of 16,852,367 coconut trees, 12,814,238 were productive, showing overall that
76.04% were producing or an average of 73.17%. The remainder, it is assumed are
senile or immature and not yet producing.
Coconut Production % Productive Trees

90%
76.01% 77.01% 77.18% 75.25% 77.04% 77.09%
80% 71.15%
68.40%
70% 59.41%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0.99 1.99 4.99 9.99 24.99
Pili:
For the first time, there has been a record of the Pili trees in production and this
shows that in 2002 there were 55,975 Pili trees planted in the province, of which,
29,335 (52.41%) were productive, with an average productivity of 62.50%.
30%
Pili Production by % Land Size of 5,907 H - 2002
24.23%
25%
19.23%
20%
16.98%
15.35%
15%
10% 7.89% 8.46%
4.62%
5% 2.79%
0.44%
0%
0.99 1.99 4.99 9.99 24.99
Land Use & Tenure

17
According to the NSO statistics (2002), there are 55,975 Pili trees planted on
5,907 hectares, giving an average of 9.5 trees per hectare. This shows that this is
mostly random planting.
100% 95.96%
Pili Production by % Productive Trees
90%
80% 74.23% 73.85%

69.62%
67.00%
70%
60% 52.09%
48.39% 49.99%
50%
40%
31.41%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Under 0.0 to 1.0 to 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 5.0 to 7.1 to 10.0 to 25.0 +
0.5 0.99 1.99 4.99 7.0 9.99 24.99
Pili % productive trees Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99
2.79% 4.62% 19.23% 16.98% 24.23%
10.0 to
5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 24.99 25.0 +
15.35% 7.89% 8.46% 0.44%
Abaca:
Abaca Production by % of Land Size of 7,583 H - 2002

25%
22.08%
19.08%
20%
16.66% 16.89%
15%
10% 8.37% 8.77%
4.46%
5% 2.68%
1.02%
0%
Under 0.5 0 to 0.99 1.0 to 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 10.0 to 25.0 +
1.99 4.99 9.99 24.99
Land Use & Tenure

18
Should abaca fibre now be subjected to E-VAT, the value of this may be worth P96
million per annum to the national government and with the provincial government
considering implementing the abaca levy that it is entitled to, a further P5 million
will be raised from this. These would be heavy burdens for this industry, although it
may encourage the entrepreneurs to at last invest in a processing plant for the
province and avoid the E-VAT taxation.
Abaca Production by % of Productive Trees - 2002
100% 95.10%
87.43% 85.53%
90% 83.04%
81.31% 80.75%
80% 75.31% 73.71%
66.06%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0.5 0.99 1.99 4.99 7.0 9.99 24.99
Coffee:
25% 23.18%
Coffee (All) Production by Land Size by % 20.91%
20%
15% 13.18%
12.27%
10.91%
10.00%
10%
5.91%
5%
1.82% 1.82%
0%
0.99 1.99 4.99 9.99 24.99
Land Use & Tenure

19
Coffee was once a good crop to invest in, in this province; until the contracts made
became worthless when the purchasers refused to pay for the quality and quantity
produced, as the farmers were unable to provide quality beans in the amounts
required. Although there is some sympathy for the farmers, their inability to
become professional growers and deliver, as per contract, caused these problems.
However, they gained little of the promised technical support, promised by the
would be purchasers.
90%
Coffee (All) Productive Trees by %
76.58%
80% 73.44%
68.81% 71.00%
70%
60%
50.34% 50.00%
50% 43.47% 41.37%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0.00%
0%
0.99 1.99 4.99 9.99 24.99
Cacao:
25%
21.84%
20.46% Cacao Production by Land Size by %
20%
16.21%
15% 13.53%
10% 7.77% 8.14%

6.30%
5.13%
5%
0.62%
0%
0.5 0.99 1.99 4.99 7.0 9.99 24.99
Land Use & Tenure

20
90%
79.74% Cacao by % Productive Trees
80% 71.60% 73.16%
66.90%
70% 63.37%
60.17% 60.22% 61.38%
60%
51.40%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0.5 0.99 1.99 4.99 7.0 9.99 24.99
Terrain and Soil Type:

The 2003 VSO survey asked householders with some form of land tenure about the
terrain and type of soil that they farmed. Their answers are not scientific, but
reflect the farmer’s knowledge of their land. Given that a higher percentage of
coastal barangays were interviewed, as reflects the majority of barangays, it is
interesting to note that less than 6.0% of the land used is ‘sandy’ by nature. This
shows that those coastal barangay farmers with access to usable agricultural land
have land away from the coastal areas.
Soil Types (Ow ned and Leased / Tenanted only) by % 2003
90%
84.27%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10% 5.65% 4.44% 5.65%
0%
Rocky Stony Clay Sandy
Land Use & Tenure

21
Land Terrain (Ow ned, Leased / Tenanted) by % 2003
60% 56.45%
50%
41.13%
40%
30%
20%
10%
2.42%
0%
Flat Light slope Steep slope
Regarding the terrain, the farmers were asked to identify the typical terrain of the
usable agricultural land that they utilised for crops and the above graph depicts
their responses. With 84.27% of the land ‘clay based’ and 41.19% ‘flat land’ in use, it
shows the potential for agricultural production of selected crops. The survey, at one
time, asked the farmers about the type of soil that they used and as the majority
of answers were ‘acid’, it was realised that most farmers had little idea about soil
acidity or alkalinity and this was abandoned as being too broad for survey value.
During 2004, a limited number of random soil tests and analysis were carried out to
show that indeed, the farmers were correct and that the soils are mainly acid, at an
acidity level not usually suitable for rice, other than the varieties known as ‘upland’
rice. The survey also asked about the height above sea level of their usable
agricultural land and it became clear that very few Nortehanon’s’ had any concept of
altitude and this part was abandoned.
Between the 1991 and 2002 NSO Agricultural censuses, there have been marked
changes in the tenure of land and
Farmers
1991 2002 Variance
Owned 20,328 21,158 830 3.92%
Part-Owned 14,941 20,054 5,113 25.50%
Tenanted 4,994 6,788 1,794 26.43%
Leased 182 535 353 65.98%
Other Forms 1,262 1,126 -136 -12.08%
Land area (H)
1991 2002 Variance
Owned 76,685 78,586 1,901 2.42%
Part-Owned 58,853 77,789 18,936 24.34%
Tenanted 15,546 22,245 6,699 30.11%
Leased 288 1,253 965 77.02%
Other Forms 1,073 1,060 -13 -1.23%
Land Use & Tenure

22
The table shows that overall, there has been an increase in farmers of 7,954; from
41,704 to 49,661 this in an increase of 16.02% over the eleven year period between
censuses and that there was an increase of 28,488 hectares of land used for
agriculture from 152,445 to 180,933 hectares, an increase of 15.75%>
Farmers Land Area (H)
Owned 3.92% 2.42%
Part-Owned 25.50% 24.34%
Tenanted 26.43% 30.11%
Leased 65.98% 77.02%
Other Forms -12.08% -1.23%
As can be seen from the table above, the greatest changes have been in the
province’s tenanted and leased tenure agreements, with very small percentage
increases in farmers and land area in the ‘owned’ category. ‘Other’ forms of land
tenure are described by the NSO as “Includes land held as mortgage and all other
forms not categorised by the above including squatters of less than 30 years”.
Using the amount of land divided by the number of farmers in 1991 and 2002, shows
that hectares per farmer in 1991 was 3.655 and in 2002 3.643. This is probably not
reliable as a means of discerning an ‘average’ farm size.
For the region (East Visayas) the changes in tenure vary from that of the province
of Northern Samar:
Farmers Land Area (H)
Owned 7.95% 4.04%
Part-Owned 2.89% 5.85%
Tenanted 42.16% -4.57%
Leased 11.21% 22.34%
Other Forms 5.59% 6.74%
As can be seen from the table above, the greatest changes have been in the region
has been the 42.16% in tenanted and the 22.34% increase in leased land. Again,
using the amount of land divided by the farmers’, shows that in 1991 the regional
average farm size was 2.387 hectares and in 2002, 2.194 hectares. Overall, the
region showed an increase in farmers by 11.66% (36,462 farmers) and land area by
3.89% (28,147 hectares).
Overall the land area increase in Northern Samar (28,488 hectares) accounts for
more than the total for the region (28,147 hectares); this is compensated by the
decreases of land area in Western Samar, Southern Leyte and to some extent,
Biliran.
In land usage, the following tables show the province’s changes in land usage from
homelot production, through pastureland and woodland:
Land Use & Tenure

23
Farmer: 1991 2002 Variance
Homelot 20,921 27,147 6,226 22.93%
Temporary crops 19,987 20,088 101 0.50%
Permanent crops 32,854 39,182 6,328 16.15%
Temporary fallow 111 82 -29 -35.37%
Temporary Meadows & Pasture 40 51 11 21.57%
Permanent Meadows & Pasture 27 247 220 89.07%
Woodland & Forest (Non-Commercial) 625 179 -446 -249.16%
All other lands 626 101 -525 -519.80%
Land Area (H) 1991 2002 Variance

Homelot 457 1,098 641 58.38%
Temporary crops 38,191 43,629 5,438 12.46%
Permanent crops 109,149 131,210 22,061 16.81%
Temporary fallow 145 141 -4 -2.84%
Temporary Meadows & Pasture 156 121 -35 -28.93%
Permanent Meadows & Pasture 59 709 650 91.68%
Woodland & Forest (Non-Commercial) 3,895 886 -3,009 -339.62%
All other lands 393 126 -267 -211.90%
The tables show the very large decreases in land usage for woodland and ‘other’
lands in both the number of farmers and the amount of land used. Also there are
decreases in land that is fallowed (-35.37% farmers and -2.48% of land) and this
shows the increasing pressure to utilise all land resources as much as possible for
income generation.
Most interesting is the very large movement to homelot (backyard) farming and the
increase of 58.38% of land used for this. Other provinces have similar movements
towards homelot farming, with all provinces except Western Samar showing similar
increases.
The decrease in woodland is a worrying trait that should be halted as soon as
possible, as there are environmental consequences to this decline.
Farmer Land Area (H)
Homelot 22.93% 58.38%
Temporary crops 0.50% 12.46%
Permanent crops 16.15% 16.81%
Temporary fallow -35.37% -2.84%
Temporary Meadows & Pasture 21.57% -28.93%
Permanent Meadows & Pasture 89.07% 91.68%
Woodland & Forest (Non-Commercial) -249.16% -339.62%
All other lands -519.80% -211.90%
Land Use & Tenure

24
(The NSO document states ‘Other’ land as “includes lands occupied by pigpens, poultry houses,
fishponds, wasteland and undeveloped potential productive and other lands not included in the
preceding land use classification. Wasteland comprises barren rocky land, sloping areas etc, which are
not used for any productive purpose.”)
Northern Samar Land Usage Changes 1960 through 2002
NS-Temporary crops NS-Permanent crops NS-Fallow land

80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10% 1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The graph above clearly shows the movement away from fallowed and temporary
crop land and most of the permanent crops are non-direct food products, and the
graph below shows the declines in meadows and forest whilst ‘other’ uses seems to
be increasing. ‘Other’ may represent increased homelot production.
Northern Samar's Land Use Changes 1960 through 2002

7%
6% Meadows Forested Other use
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Land Use & Tenure

25
The NSO has plotted the woodland and forestland usage since 1960 and shows the
rapid decline in owned, leased or tenanted woodland areas and the following graph
depicts this decline.
6,000
5,684
5,000
4,000
3,000 2,983
2,477
2,000
1,000
625
179
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Other NSO long term monitoring shows:

Millions
14
12
10
6
4
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
34%
Northern Samar Percentage of East Visayas Coconut Plantings
32%
30%
28%
26%
24%
22%
20%
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Land Use & Tenure

26
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Thousands 1960-2002 Northern Samar Palay Plantings / Harvests by Hectares

50 46
44
45
39
40
35 31 32
30
25
20
15
10
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Land Use & Tenure

27
Thousands
1960-2002 Northern Samar Livestock Heads
80
70 Carabao Cattle Hogs

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Northern Samar Poultry Flock Increases 1960 to 2002

Thousands
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The trends in livestock production show concerns about the provincial ‘herd’ of
swine, as this has decreased and shows that between 1960 and 1971 the swine herd
declined by -42.97% and although there have been increases in between, a further
decline between 1991 and 2002 of -2.10% should give concern, keeping in mind that
the province’s population is increasing by 2.6972% every year.
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Carabao 49,879 34,200 31,772 31,027 62,036
Cattle 2,799 2,117 1,619 1,878 3,058
Hogs 73,135 41,710 45,402 64,034 62,690
Goat 11,441 3,263 2,667 4,912 2,814
Chicken 340,322 200,608 201,893 269,421 1,020,441
Ducks 8,258 4,030 10,484 11,762 6,689
That goats and ducks are also declining, takes valuable meat resources out of the
market, although it is accepted that goat meat is not very popular, although the
‘export’ potential is high.
Land Use & Tenure

28
National 'Herd' or 'Flock'
Philippines East Visayas Northern Samar
Carabao 1.82% 4.16% 5.36%
Cattle 1.51% 0.62% 0.26%
Hogs 5.57% 8.12% 5.41%
Goats 1.37% 0.78% 0.24%
Chicken 82.26% 83.82% 88.13%
Ducks 7.25% 2.42% 0.58%
The DA statistics show that Northern Samar has the highest percentage of carabao
in its provincial herd and that it also has the highest percentage of chickens. The
small percentage of ducks shows how rapidly the provincial duck flock has declined
and is disappearing from the Nortehanon's dining table.
Comparison of National, Regional and Northern Samar's Livestock

9% Herds 8.12%
8%
Philippines East Visayas Northern Samar
7%
5.36% 5.57% 5.41%
6%
5% 4.16%
4%
3%
1.82%
1.51% 1.37%
2%
0.62% 0.78%
1% 0.26% 0.24%
0%
Carabao Cattle Hogs Goats
Land Use & Tenure

29
2005
Land Tenure to Farm Size:

Whether or not provincial or departmental planners accept the NSO and DA data as
being correct, or add in a plus or minus percentage to compensate for errors (margin
of error), will not alter the basic trends found within both reports.
These show that nationwide, there is a movement away from temporary food crops
(rice, corn etc) to reliance on permanent crops (coconut, abaca, fruits etc), whether
or not they are food sources.
However, it is clear that not all areas are moving over to permanent crops at the
same rate and from this; it can be assumed that some areas have more favourable
growing conditions and available irrigation than Northern Samar. What is very clear
is that all areas are abandoning the practice of fallowing (resting) the land from
crop production and this has consequences for soil fertility, especially in the
knowledge that the provincial soil is at best marginal in quality.
It is also very interesting to note that there is a clear swing towards ‘homelot’
farming and even though it could be contested that a homelot does not come under
agricultural land, (unless a homelot has been erected on agricultural land) and thus,
may violate some zoning law or other. There may also be ‘social’ questions raised by
this transfer to backyard farming that should be researched. This can only be self-
sufficiency or subsistence farming at best and a survey would be required to
determine any value to the public market.
Of greatest concern to the province’s agricultural industry is the poor state of the
soil, where fertility and structure have been lost due to poor maintenance by
farmers and owners. Random soil sampling has shown that many of the rice lands are
now too ‘acid’ to grow expected yields and indeed, some are no longer suitable for
growing rice and are more suited for some vegetables and permanent crops.
To redress the balance to a more neutral soils, would take vast amounts of lime and
the cost of this could not be supported by any organisation. The use of crushed
coral as pure CaCo3 would supplement this requirement, but this is not
environmentally acceptable.
A longer and cheaper means of achieving some balancing of the soil would be massive
fallowing and the production of alternative crops, with residues incorporated back
into the soil. This would take many years (even generations) to achieve and is unlikely
to happen. A more likely scenario is that the destruction of the soil asset will
continue, with more farmers abandoning temporary food crop production, thus
depleting the agricultural income of the province. As the soil quality declines, so
does the value of income to the province. What is very clear is that with one of the
highest population expansion rates of the nation, Northern Samar must start to
organise its agricultural sector to respond by some degree, to provide its population
with cheap food.
The NSO collected information on land tenure relative to farm size [0h through to
25h] and the following statistics are mostly in graphic form. These statistics deal
Land Use & Tenure

30
2005
with land resources under ‘single’ forms of tenure, although there are statistics that
show the multiple forms of tenure.
Data sheet: 1991 2002
All Types by number 41,656 49,886
FARMERS
Homelot 20,921 27,147
Temporary crops 19,987 20,088
Permanent crops 32,854 39,182
Temporary fallow 111 82
Temporary Meadows & Pasture 40 51
Permanent Meadows & Pasture 27 247
Woodland & Forest (Non-Commercial) 625 179
All other lands 626 101
Totals: 75,191 87,077
LAND AREA 1991 2002

Homelot 457 1,098
Temporary crops 38,191 43,629
Permanent crops 109,149 131,210
Temporary Meadows & Pasture 145 141
Permanent Meadows & Pasture 156 121
Permanent Pasture 59 709
Woodland & Forest (Non-Commercial) 3,895 886
All other lands 393 126
Totals 152,445 177,920
This table shows the percentage changes from 1991 to 2002:
Northern Samar 1991 to 2002 percentage changes:
All Types by percentage 16.50%
Farmers Land Area
Homelot +22.93% +58.38%
Temporary crops +0.50% +12.46%
Permanent crops +16.15% +16.81%
Temporary fallow -35.37% -2.84%
Temporary Meadows & Pasture +21.57% -28.93%
Permanent Meadows & Pasture +89.07% +91.68%
Woodland & Forest (Non-Commercial) -249.16% -339.62%
All other lands -519.80% -211.90%
Totals: +13.65% +14.32%
(The NSO document states ‘Other’ land as “includes lands occupied by pigpens, poultry houses,
fishponds, wasteland and undeveloped potential productive and other lands not included in the
Land Use & Tenure

31
2005
preceding land use classification. Wasteland comprises barren rocky land, sloping areas etc, which are
not used for any productive purpose.”)
The significant changes towards Homelot (backyard) agriculture in farmers and land
area, together with the 16% increase in permanent cropping, with the large increase
in permanent meadows and pastures appear to be at the cost of fallowed land,
woodland and other lands.
Whether or not homelot ‘farming’ constitutes other than self-sufficiency can be
debated and any contribution to the food market system can only be small. However,
self-sufficiency does reduce pressure on market supplies. It should also be
understood that approximately 90% of pig meat comes from the backyard producer.
The small increase (+0.50%) in farmers planting temporary crops is significant
because of such a small increase over eleven years between censuses. The 12.46%
increase in land area used for temporary crop production may be that farmers are
‘opening’ more land for this and this may also be marginal land not necessarily
suitable for temporary crops.
Overall, there is an increase of 25,475 hectares of land in production, with 22,061
hectares changing to permanent crops, 641 hectares changing to homelot production,
5,478 hectares changing to temporary crops and 650 extra hectares of permanent
pasture. These are partially balanced by the reductions in woodland. Whether or not
homelot land can be constituted as ‘agricultural’ land is debateable, as homelot or
backyard farming is based at the homestead and could be subject to the household
census.
With the increasing cost of living in the province, due to higher VAT and the
increases in fuel costs, an increase in backyard activities makes some sense and
should the NGOs and the municipal agriculturists manage to take a professional
attitude to this, a great difference could be made. Not necessarily to support
market requirements, but to reduce dependence on the markets and promote self-
sufficiency, or at its least, some improvement in home economics.
Too long have the householders lived with the easy option of prepared commodities
and little need to fend for themselves and although there may be hard lessons to be
learned, they have to be learned. Many more people will suffer the consequences of
a poor diet until these lessons are learned.
Whether or not the agrarian reforms are responsible for more farmers converting
to backyard farming may be worth following up. The increase in permanent pasture
may give support to increasing livestock dispersals. The following graph depicts the
swing in land usage changes from 1991 to 2002.
Land Use & Tenure

32
2005
Northern Samar Land Usage Changes 1991-2002
-600% -500% -400% -300% -200% -100% 0% 100% 200%
Homelot
Farmers Land Area
Temporary crops
Permanent crops
Temporary fallow
Temporary Meadows & Pasture
Permanent Meadows & Pasture
Woodland & Forest
All other lands
The following graph shows the overall conversion rate of permanent land, temporary
land and fallowed land, as a direct comparison with All Philippines, East Visayas
Region and Northern Samar and shows that Northern Samar has made more gains to
permanent land, greater than the other areas.
AP = All Philippines, EV = East Visayas, NS = Northern Samar
2.00%
Overall Conversion Rate Comparison
1.50%
1.00%
0.50%
1.57%
0.00%
-1.74% -1.52%
-0.50%
-1.00%
-1.50%
-2.00%
AP EV NS
The NSO report shows that in 2002, Northern Samar produced palay on 30,516
hectares, and this is in line with the provincial agriculture office figures, although
the NSO report erroneously states 45,000 plus hectares for 2002 in another
sector.
Land Use & Tenure

33
2005
The change from temporary crops to permanent crops will have consequences for
provincial food security planning, as without the provision of permanent irrigation
facilities, temporary crop producers are unlikely to return.
2002 NSO Agricultural Census - East Visayas / Northern Samar - Land Use
Comparison
EV-Temporary crops NS-Temporary crops EV-Fallow land

NS-Fallow land EV-Permanent crops NS-Permanent crops
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The NSO report states that Northern Samar, in 2002 had approximately 1,454
hectares of abaca, whilst FIDA report that 3000 plus hectares. The occasional
inconsistencies in these reports have to be taken into consideration and planners
should validate, where possible and although it may not a fully accurate guide, it is a
guide.
Analysis of the information from both sources shows that:
Northern Samar Main Crop Changes
Hectares 1991 2002 H. '+ / -' % ‘+ / -'
Coconut 146,124 168,524 +22,400 +13.29%
Abaca 611 1,454 +842 +57.94%
Banana 1,098 832 -266 -31.95%
Palay 38,650 43,685 +5,035 +11.53%
Root crops 3,686 3,928 +242 +6.16%
Corn 1,746 320 -1,426 -445.63%
Fruit vegetables 0 230 +230 +100.00%
The table above shows the changes in the main crops in Northern Samar and shows
the rapid decline of corn and a less rapid decline of banana. This also shows that
Land Use & Tenure

34
2005
although there is an increase (+6.16%) in the amount of land put to root crops; the
percentage of the total crop has reduced by -7.07%. The table below shows the
individual crops as a percentage of the total. The increases and decreases are the
same, as expected.
1991 2002 No. '+ / -' % + / -'
Coconut 76.14% 76.96% +0.82% +1.07%
Abaca 0.32% 0.66% +0.35% +52.02%
Banana 0.57% 0.38% -0.19% -50.55%
Palay 20.14% 19.95% -0.19% -0.95%
Root crops 1.92% 1.79% -0.13% -7.07%
Corn 0.91% 0.15% -0.76% -522.55%
Fruit vegetables 0.00% 0.11% +0.11% +100.00%
The table above shows that there were 218,970 hectares of agricultural land used
for main crops in 2002 and the map below shows that in 2005 there is 288,336
hectares available for use. Whether or not this is an indicator of land being available
but not used may be put forward for conjecture, but physical evidence shows that
more marginal land is unused, or that its use has decreased. It is unlikely that the
69,366 hectares difference is accounted for by the lesser crops, as this is 24% of
the 2005 figure.
The following map depicts the estimated land available for 2005.
Total
Land Use & Tenure

35
2005
Movement from Temporary to Permanent Crops Trends

Permanent Temporary Fallowed
3.00% 2.14%
2.03%
1.79%
2.00%
1.00%
0.00%
-0.05%
-1.00% -0.30% -0.31% -0.53%
-2.00%
-3.00%
-3.00%
-4.00% -3.47%
AP EV NS
Land and Crops: Commercial corn production in the province has almost ceased and
most corn produced now, is small scale and only for ‘fresh’ street consumption.

2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Commercial rice production will be further challenged by competition from

permanent crops, as many soils are now unsuitable for rice production and land users
Land Use & Tenure

36
2005
and owners fail to provide the inputs to reverse the poor soil quality and fertility. It
is noted that market prices for table rice, continue to increase and are likely to
increase further, as supplies shorten. The national government may maintain a policy
to continue importing cheap rice, in order to keep market prices under control. If
the provincial government is to support rice production, it would be better to
concentrate on the farmers with access to reliable irrigation.
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
20,000
17,316 Northern Samar 2002 Palay (hectares)
18,000
16,000
14,000
11,842
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
1,031
2,000 275 52
0
Land Use & Tenure

37
2005
The map above shows the land available for planting palay in 2005 (figures courtesy
of PAO) and shows a considerable decrease in the number of hectares available for
palay. This may, if the figures are correct, support the statistics of a further move
away from temporary crop production after 2002. The failure of the provincial or
municipal agricultural offices or the local university to provide a ‘soil’ map is a
disappointment, and would be an essential guide to planners and monitors, in an area
that is mostly dependent on marginal soil. Delta rice requires a soil pH level of 6.0 to
6.5 and limited and random sampling has shown that an average of 5.4 was found.
The graph below shows the rice price fluctuations from 1998 through 2004 and both
show steady increases, although recent price rises have been steeper.
Catarman Market - Rice prices trends - Peso
19
18
17
16
15
14
Rice ordinary Rice Ordinary Rice NFA Rice NFA
13
12
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Coconut:
Land Use & Tenure

38
2005
Coconut production continues to increase and shows every sign that it will continue
to be the major source of income for many farming families. It is timely that PACAP
have a development intervention programme with coconut production and processing.
Although virgin coconut oil is, at this time, a fashionable product, it is probably
sustainable and is a suitable small-scale industry for the province.
However, coconut farmers do not follow the market patterns very well when
seasonal price reductions occur and lose income when prices drop from August
through December, when the copra market tends to be flooded to finance spending
for fiestas and Christmas. Extra processing capacity would help to maintain the
price structure.
Millions
14
12
10
6
4
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
400000
NS Coconut Production (Tonnes)
350000
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
Y1993 Y1994 Y1995 Y1996 Y1997 Y1998 Y1999 Y2000 Y2001 Y2002 Y2003 Y2004
Land Use & Tenure

39
2005
34%
Northern Samar Percentage of East Visayas Coconut Plantings
32%
30%
28%
26%
24%
22%
20%
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The map below depicts the total coconut tree plantations (Courtesy of PCA) per
municipality, as of 2001 although these include non-bearing, senile and bearing trees.
The provincial plantation percentage of non-bearing (14.45%; averaged from the range
0.05% to 27.30%), senile (9.13%; averaged from the range 6.84% to 12.98%) and bearing
(76.42%; averaged from the range 90.39% to 63.35%).
Provincial Copra Production 2001 (PCA Latest validated data)
Land Use & Tenure

40
2005
Copra, as the most important coconut by-product of the coconut tree, dominates the
industry and there is a danger that the other by-products such a coco-charcoal will
be overlooked. China is in the market for large amounts of quality coco-charcoal and
many countries will compete to attract this trade. Virgin coconut oil is a very small
part of the coconut industry and although ‘fashionable’ at this time, the market is
sustainable for a quality product.
Statistics show that ‘on average’ there are 60 trees per hectare, when there should
be 100 trees. Statistics show that only 76.42% of coconut trees are productive,
with 14.45% non-productive and 9.13% senile. Thus, only 46 of the 60 trees are
producing any income and productivity is declining. Thus work opportunity for the
low-income families that are dependent on copra production also declines.
Abaca continues to be the provinces ‘Queen of crops’ with more farmers converting
their land for production. The province produces some of the highest quality abaca,
yet yields are at only 50% of potential and the province lacks sufficient stripping
and drying equipment to keep pace with existing production.
The potential levy on dried abaca fibre sales, could, if the province matches its
potential could provide P4M – P5M per annum, some of which could be used to
subsidise abaca stripping equipment. The graph below shows the provincial growth
statistics for abaca also showing the general trend.
7000
6000 5215
5000
4000
3026
3000
2000
1000
0
Y 1993 Y 1994 Y 1995 Y 1996 Y 1997 Y 1998 Y 1999 Y 2000 Y 2001 Y 2002 Y 2003 Y 2004
Land Use & Tenure

41
2005
The general movement of land from temporary crop production to permanent crop
production does not bode well for basic food production, but, on the other hand, the
Philippines produces two major crops that are in high demand internationally and the
potential for these to create income to cover the cost of imported basic foods is
high. However, some basic foods may become too expensive for low-income families.
The most worrying factor is the lack of and the high cost of fresh vegetables and it
is fairly certain that malnourishment will increase and will include more elderly
people.
The topic that may be of greater concern for the Northern Samar farming
community is the poor rate of change from tenanted and leased land tenure to full
ownership. Other than being accounted for in the high amount of amortised land,
this is very different from some other areas, both national and regional. The
Statistics show that, in fact, Northern Samar’s ‘fully owned’ land by farmers has
increased by 3.92% although there is -0.13% less land being fully owned. The
national statistics show that there has been an increase in farmers owning land of
4.28% and an extra 2.08% of land in full ownership, over the time period of 1991 to
2002. However, any statistics should be validated with DAR prior to use.
Northern Samar's Land Tenure Changes by Percentage 1991- 2002
90%
80%
70%
60% Farmers Land Area H
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
Ow ned Partly ow ned Tenanted Leased Other forms
Land Use & Tenure

42
2005
The graph above shows clearly the trend for land tenure changes in Northern Samar
and the trend is towards leasehold (69.58% of farmers and 77.02% of land) and
away from full ownership and ‘other’ forms. However, the changes in full ownership
over the time period are negligible and should be of some concern.
This goes against regional and national trends, where nationally 4.28% more farmers
fully own land and 2.08% of land has gone into full ownership.
Farmers 1991 2002 No. '+ / -' % '+ / -'
Owned 20,328 21,158 +830 +3.92%
Partly owned 14,941 20,054 +5,113 +25.50%
Tenanted 4,944 6,788 +1,844 +27.17%
Leased 182 535 +353 +65.98%
Other forms 1,262 1,128 -134 -11.88%
Totals 41,657 49,663 +8,006 +16.12%
Land Area Farmed:

Owned 76,685 76,586 -99 -0.13%
Partly owned 58,853 77,789 +18,936 +24.34%
Tenanted 15,546 22,245 +6,699 +30.11%
Leased 288 1,253 +965 +77.02%
Other forms 1,073 1,060 -13 -1.23%
152,445 178,933 +26,488 +14.80%
The following graphs give a direct comparison of Region 8’s and Northern Samar’s
tenure changes and it can be seen that the variations are very wide.
Changes in tenure by farmers
Region 8's Land Tenure Changes by Percentage 1991 - 2002

25%
20%
Farmers Land Area H
15%
10%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
-15%
Land Use & Tenure

43
2005
70%
60%
EV Farmers NS Farmers
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
Changes in tenure by land:
90%
80%
70% EV Land Area NS Land Area
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
Land Use & Tenure

44
2005
Northern Samar - Farm Size Changes 1991 – 2002
No. Change % + / -'
0 to 1 h +5,402 +4.37%
1 to 2.99 h -444 -0.34%
3 to 4.99 h +2,069 +5.15%
5 to 9.99 h +1,823 +6.97%
10 to 24.99 h +547 +6.98%
25 h plus -104 -13.56%
+9,293 +2.81%
Area (H) +11 +0.55%

0 to 1 h +523 +0.98%
1 to 2.99 h -4,269 -2.08%
3 to 4.99 h +6,073 +4.27%
5 to 9.99 h +11,174 +6.65%
10 to 24.99 h +7,734 +7.29%
25 h plus +6,104 +12.60%
+27,339 +3.78%
The table above shows that there were 9,293 extra farmers over the time period
and this is an increase of 2.81%. The table also shows that an extra 27,339 hectares
came into use over the time period and this is an increase of 3.78% over the time
period 1991 to 2002.
Although there is a decrease in the number of farmers with more than 25 hectares,
the land area of farms of more than 25 hectares increased; increases of farmers
and land areas between 5 and 24.99 hectares increased by 6.975% for farmers and
6.97% for land area. It would seem from this information that there is a swing to
larger farms, as between 0 and 4.99 hectares, farmers increased only by 3.06%,
whilst the land area decreased by -0.18%.
These statistics may require to be validated with the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) prior to any use being made of them. The national statistics are
shown below:
1991-2002 Census - Land Tenure Direct Comparison

6% 4.28%
Farmers Land Area
4% 2.08%
2%
0%
-0.16% -0.21%-0.43% -0.38%-0.17%
-2%
-1.84% -1.31%
-1.85%
-4%
Land Use & Tenure

45
2005
Northern Samar 0 to 4.99 hectares land changes 1991 to 2002
Farmers 0 to 1 h 1 to 2.99 h 3 to 4.99 h
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
Northern Samar 0 to 4.99 hectares Land Changes 1991 to 2002

0 to 1 h 1 to 2.99 h 3 to 4.99 h
Hectares
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The two graphs above plot the changes of farmers and land area of the group 0 to
4.99 hectares. The next two graphs plot the changes of farmers and land of the
group 5 to 25 plus hectares.
Land Use & Tenure

46
2005
Northern Samar 5 to 25 plus hectares Land changes 1990 to 2002

Farmers 5 to 9.99 h 10 to 24.99 h 25 h plus
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The graph above depicts the fluctuations in land change by farmers in the range 5
hectares and above.
The graph below depicts the changes on land for the same range.
Northern Samar's Changes in group 5 to 25 plus hectares 1991 to 2002

5 to 9.99 h 10 to 24.99 h 25 h plus
Hectares
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
These graphs show that there has been very little movement in farm size land
changes and that most of the movement has come from the increased land (27,339
hectares), made available during the time period.
It is interesting to note that the range of farm size 5 to 9.99 hectares has grown in
Northern Samar and that the pattern of fluctuation from 1960 through 2002 is
very similar in both farmers and land area.
Land Use & Tenure

47
2005
Northern Samar - Farm size changes 1991 to 2002:
Farmers 1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
0 to 1 h 15,732 27,190 57,640 118,342 123,744
1 to 2.99 h 110,278 96,795 129,852 132,482 132,038
3 to 4.99 h 39,602 47,248 48,644 38,136 40,205
5 to 9.99 h 24,387 18,998 26,040 24,335 26,158
10 to 24.99 h 10,361 8,816 8,038 7,291 7,838
25 h plus 1,012 1,100 1,069 871 767
201,372 200,147 271,283 321,457 330,750
Area (H) 1,960 1,971 1,980 1,991 2,002

0 to 1 h 8,333 14,162 28,082 52,765 53,288
1 to 2.99 h 178,994 163,038 208,011 209,057 204,788
3 to 4.99 h 139,687 173,464 172,735 136,277 142,350
5 to 9.99 h 154,975 123,488 166,371 156,868 168,042
10 to 24.99 h 131,393 125,200 111,536 98,402 106,136
25 h plus 56,973 74,783 57,407 42,341 48,445
670,355 674,135 744,142 695,710 723,049
Farm equipment: The census shows that in 2002, ‘ownership’ of farm equipment was
as follows:
Number of Farmers 49,661 2002
Owns Plough 5,485 11.04%
Owns Hand tractor 2,177 4.38%
Other statistics for ownership of farm equipment are available, but as this is not
always evenly reported, it has not been considered for this document.
The following table shows the farm equipment ‘in use’ as opposed to ‘owned’ in the
previous table. In use covers hired, borrowed, loaned, etc:
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002

Plough 9,193 9,946 7,053 8,029 7,274
Harrow 13,000 21,230 11,457 11,842 12,566
Sprayer 83 267 445 3,822 3,198
Hand Tractor 34 143 22 183 5,515
The very strong increase in hand tractors in the province between 1991 and 2002
seems to go against the trend of reduction of temporary crop production. The
following table shows the increases or decreases in farm equipment ‘in use’ from
1991 to 2002 and plots the increased use of hand tractors, but decreases in the use
of ploughs and sprayers.
Land Use & Tenure

48
2005
N0. '+ / -' % + / -'
Plough -755 -10.38%
Harrow +724 +5.76%
Sprayer -624 -19.51%
Hand Tractor +5,332 +96.68%
25% 22.79%
21.20%
Fully Owned Tenure by Plot Size by Farmers
20% 17.87%
15% 12.70%
10%
5.82% 6.51% 6.15% 6.40%
5%
0.57%
0%
Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 24.99 25.0 +
35% CLT or CLOA Certificated Tenure by Land Size by Farmers

29.64% 29.09%
30%
25%
20%
15.51%
15% 12.74%
10% 7.48%
5% 2.22% 1.66%
0.55% 1.11%
0%
30%
26.63%
Owner like Possession Tenure by Land Size by Farmers
25%
20% 17.29%
15.63%
15% 13.09%
8.74% 8.95%
10%
4.49% 4.88%
5%
0.31%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

49
2005
30%
25.50%
Tenanted Tenure by Land Size by Famers
25%
21.36%
19.67%
20%
15% 12.85%
10% 7.34%
4.12% 4.57% 4.45%

5%
0.15%
0%
30%
26.36%
Leased / Rented Tenure by Land Size by Farmers
25% 22.43%
20%
15.51% 15.14%
15%
8.41%
10% 6.73%
3.74%
5% 1.68%
0.00%
0%
60%
52.07%
Rent Free Tenure by Land Size by Farmers
50%
40%
30%
18.31% 17.02%
20%
10% 6.16%
3.13% 1.75% 1.29% 0.28% 0.00%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

50
2005
Land Tenure to Farm Size:

Hectares: Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 24.99 25.0 +
Fully Owned 989 1,105 3,871 3,035 3,600 2,157 1,045 1,087 96
CLT or CLOA certificate 2 27 107 56 105 46 8 6 4
Owner like Possession 333 499 1,015 596 659 341 171 186 12
Tenanted 280 498 1,731 1,335 1,450 872 310 302 10
Leased / Rented 83 36 141 120 81 45 20 9 0
Rent Free 566 199 185 67 34 19 14 3 0
Other 16 0 3 3 7 3 4 3 0
Not Reported 16 17 46 72 44 19 6 5 0
Totals: 2,285 2,381 7,099 5,284 5,980 3,502 1,578 1,601 122
This table shows the land [or plot] size under ‘One Form of Tenure’ by the NUMBER OF FARMERS:
Hectares: Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 24.99 25.0 +
Fully Owned 5.82% 6.51% 22.79% 17.87% 21.20% 12.70% 6.15% 6.40% 0.57%
CLT or CLOA certificate 0.55% 7.48% 29.64% 15.51% 29.09% 12.74% 2.22% 1.66% 1.11%
Owner like Possession 8.74% 13.09% 26.63% 15.63% 17.29% 8.95% 4.49% 4.88% 0.31%
Tenanted 4.12% 7.34% 25.50% 19.67% 21.36% 12.85% 4.57% 4.45% 0.15%
Leased / Rented 15.51% 6.73% 26.36% 22.43% 15.14% 8.41% 3.74% 1.68% 0.00%
Rent Free 52.07% 18.31% 17.02% 6.16% 3.13% 1.75% 1.29% 0.28% 0.00%
Other 41.03% 0.00% 7.69% 7.69% 17.95% 7.69% 10.26% 7.69% 0.00%
Not Reported 7.11% 7.56% 20.44% 32.00% 19.56% 8.44% 2.67% 2.22% 0.00%
Overall Averages: 7.66% 7.98% 23.80% 17.71% 20.05% 11.74% 5.29% 5.37% 0.41%
Land Use & Tenure

51
2005
25% 23.80%
Average / Overall Land Tenure by Land Size by Farmers
20.05%
20% 17.71%
15%
11.74%
10% 7.98%
7.66%
5.29% 5.37%
5%
0.41%
0%
Tenure by Land Size:
25% 22.82%
Fully Owned Tenure by Land Size by Land Area [H] 19.73% 19.32%
20%
15% 13.27%
10.27%
10% 7.31%
5.77%
5%
1.11%
0.40%
0%
35% 31.76%
30% CLT or CLOA Certificated Tenure by Land Size by Land Area [H]
25% 22.48%
20%
15% 12.16%
10.32% 10.50%
10%
6.04% 5.25%
5% 1.49%
0.00%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

52
2005
25%
Owner like Possession Tenure by Land Size by Land Area 21.98%
20.03%
20%
17.09%
15%
12.12%
10.86% 11.51%
10%
5% 2.72% 2.86%
0.84%
0%
25% 22.63% 22.18%
Tenanted Tenure by Land Size by Land Area

20% 17.93%
15% 12.75%
11.75%
9.12%
10%
5%
1.33% 1.92%
0.38%
0%
25%
22.20%
20.69% 20.29%
Leased / Rented Tenure by Land Size by Land Area
20%
15% 12.70% 12.30%
10% 8.47%
5%
1.68% 1.68%
0.00%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

53
2005
25%
20.83% Rent Free Tenure by Land Size by Land Area
20%
14.96%
15% 13.03% 12.71%
12.29%
11.11% 11.43%
10%
5% 3.63%
0.00%
0%
25%
20.54% 21.04%
Average Overall Tenure by land Size by Land Area 19.66%
20%
15% 12.68%
11.20%
10% 8.35%
4.49%
5%
1.46%
0.57%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

54
2005
Fully Owned 253 709 4,673 6,568 12,621 12,359 8,491 14,600 3,692
CLT or CLOA certificate 0 17 139 118 363 257 69 60 120
Owner like Possession 96 312 1,246 1,321 2,299 1,961 1,391 2,523 328
Tenanted 84 296 2,029 2,836 5,035 4,935 2,613 3,989 428
Leased / Rented 21 21 159 259 278 254 154 106 0
Rent Free 122 115 195 140 119 104 107 34 0
Other 2 0 5 6 32 21 30 30 0
Not Reported 3 11 50 148 149 110 45 55 0
Totals: 581 1,481 8,496 11,396 20,896 20,001 12,900 21,397 4,568
This table shows the land [or plot] size under ‘One Form of Tenure’ by the LAND AREA [HECTARES]
Fully Owned 0.40% 1.11% 7.31% 10.27% 19.73% 19.32% 13.27% 22.82% 5.77%
Tenanted 0.38% 1.33% 9.12% 12.75% 22.63% 22.18% 11.75% 17.93% 1.92%
Leased / Rented 1.68% 1.68% 12.70% 20.69% 22.20% 20.29% 12.30% 8.47% 0.00%
Rent Free 13.03% 12.29% 20.83% 14.96% 12.71% 11.11% 11.43% 3.63% 0.00%
Other 1.59% 0.00% 3.97% 4.76% 25.40% 16.67% 23.81% 23.81% 0.00%
Not Reported 0.53% 1.93% 8.76% 25.92% 26.09% 19.26% 7.88% 9.63% 0.00%
Overall Averages: 0.57% 1.46% 8.35% 11.20% 20.54% 19.66% 12.68% 21.04% 4.49%
Land Use & Tenure

55
2005
Single form of Tenure:

The following table gives a direct comparison between the numbers of farmers with full ownership. The table shows the [average]
land holding by size per farmer.
Numbers Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 24.99 25.0 +
Farmers 989 1,105 3,871 3,035 3,600 2,157 1,045 1,087 96
Land Area[H] 253 709 4,673 6,568 12,621 12,359 8,491 14,600 3,692
Average holding size [H] 0.2558 0.6416 1.2072 2.1641 3.5058 5.7297 8.1254 13.4315 38.4583
45.0000
Full Ow nership Average Holding size [H] 38.4583
40.0000
35.0000
30.0000
25.0000
20.0000
13.4315
15.0000
8.1254
10.0000 5.7297
2.1641 3.5058
5.0000 0.2558 0.6416 1.2072
0.0000
25% 22.82%
Full Ownership Percentage of Land Resources per Category 19.73% 19.32%
20%
15% 13.27%
10.27%
10% 7.31%
5.77%
5%
0.40% 1.11%
0%
This shows that the owner farmers with 3.0 to 24.99 hectares have access to the majority of the land.
Land Use & Tenure

56
2005
Single form of Tenure:

The following table gives a direct comparison between the number of farmers with tenanted, leasehold or rental agreements,
having access to land. The table shows the [average] land holding by size per farmer.
As an example, this table shows [under this form of single tenure] that the average land area used by farmers in the ‘Under 0.5’
range, have use of 2893 square metres [or one third (+) hectare] of land. Other than small-scale activities, this is insufficient land
area to make a living and should be categorised as ‘subsistence’.
Conversely, the farmers in the 25.0 hectare range have access to 42.8 hectares [42,8000 square metres].
Farmers 363 534 1,872 1,455 1,531 917 330 311 10
Land Area[H] 105 317 2,188 3,095 5,313 5,189 2,767 4,095 428
Average holding size [H] 0.2893 0.5936 1.1688 2.1271 3.4703 5.6587 8.3848 13.1672 42.8000
45.0000 42.8000
Tenanted, Leased or Rented [Single form of Tenure] - Average Holding size [H]
40.0000
35.0000
30.0000
25.0000
20.0000
13.1672
15.0000
8.3848
10.0000 5.6587
2.1271 3.4703
5.0000 0.2893 0.5936 1.1688
0.0000
Land Use & Tenure

57
2005
In the ‘homelot’ sector; analysis shows that the average land holding is 474 square metres or one twentieth (+) of one hectare.
Ranging from 906 SM [under 0.5 H] to 744 SM [25.0+ H]
HOMELOT Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 24.99 25.0 +
Farmers 2,361 1,907 6,366 4,550 5,565 2,947 1,878 1,452 121
Land Area [H] 214 74 210 150 192 106 75 68 9
Average Land Holding [H] 0.0906 0.0388 0.0330 0.0330 0.0345 0.0360 0.0399 0.0468 0.0744
12.0000 11.3333
0.1000 0.0906 Rent Free Average Holding Size [H] by Plot Size [H]
Average Homelot Land Size [H]
0.0900
10.0000
0.0800 0.0744
0.0700 7.6429
8.0000
0.0600
0.0468 0.0474
0.0500 6.0000 5.4737
0.0388 0.0399
0.0330 0.0330 0.0345 0.0360
0.0400
4.0000 3.5000
0.0300
2.0896
0.0200
2.0000 1.0541
0.0100 0.5779
0.2155 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000
Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 24.99 25.0 + Average Under 0.5 0.0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 24.99 25.0 +
Farmers 566 199 185 67 34 19 14 3 0
Land Area[H] 122 115 195 140 119 104 107 34 0
Average holding size [H] 0.2155 0.5779 1.0541 2.0896 3.5000 5.4737 7.6429 11.3333
Land Use & Tenure

58
2005
This table gives a comparison of the percentages of available land under tenure by farmers, land cropping usage by size of plot.
Land Holding Size BY LAND AREA (H)
Homelot 19.49% 6.74% 19.13% 13.66% 17.49% 9.65% 6.83% 6.19% 0.82%
Temporary Crops 0.90% 2.01% 8.62% 10.32% 20.88% 20.39% 14.77% 19.13% 3.00%
Permanent Crops 0.21% 1.07% 7.60% 10.61% 20.64% 18.77% 14.06% 22.18% 4.86%
Temporary Fallow 0.00% 2.65% 9.27% 8.61% 21.85% 7.95% 25.17% 17.22% 7.28%
Temporary Pasture 0.76% 1.53% 3.05% 0.76% 25.95% 6.11% 0.00% 54.20% 7.63%
Permanent Pasture 0.39% 1.41% 12.58% 7.96% 12.97% 23.49% 11.42% 20.80% 8.99%
Woodland & Forest 0.00% 0.45% 1.13% 3.27% 13.30% 18.15% 11.27% 37.54% 14.88%
Other 1.57% 1.57% 9.45% 3.15% 16.54% 36.22% 0.00% 31.50% 0.00%
Not Reported 0.44% 1.07% 6.95% 7.64% 12.13% 12.44% 8.53% 38.85% 11.94%
Totals: 0.50% 1.33% 7.90% 10.47% 20.54% 19.06% 14.10% 21.59% 4.51%
Single Form of Tenure FARMERS
Fully Owned 5.82% 6.51% 22.79% 17.87% 21.20% 12.70% 6.15% 6.40% 0.57%
Tenanted 4.12% 7.34% 25.50% 19.67% 21.36% 12.85% 4.57% 4.45% 0.15%
Leased / Rented 15.51% 6.73% 26.36% 22.43% 15.14% 8.41% 3.74% 1.68% 0.00%
Rent Free 52.07% 18.31% 17.02% 6.16% 3.13% 1.75% 1.29% 0.28% 0.00%
Other 41.03% 0.00% 7.69% 7.69% 17.95% 7.69% 10.26% 7.69% 0.00%
Not Reported 7.11% 7.56% 20.44% 32.00% 19.56% 8.44% 2.67% 2.22% 0.00%
Totals: 16.87% 8.38% 22.01% 17.12% 18.09% 9.19% 4.42% 3.66% 0.27%
Land Use & Tenure

59
2005
The following graphs show direct comparisons between the number of farmers and the land
are [H]:
Farmers Land Area[H] Overall Average Tenure Comparison by Farmers & Land Area [H] by Ownership
25% 22.79% 22.82%
21.20%
19.73% 19.32%
20% 17.87%
15% 12.70% 13.27%

10.27%
10% 7.31%
5.82% 6.51% 6.15% 6.40% 5.77%
5%
0.40% 1.11% 0.57%
0%
The graph above clearly shows the relationship between the size of farmed plot and the
percentages of farmers to available land area [H]. It can be seen that the minority of
farmers own the majority of the land in plots over the size of 5.0 hectares and over and
that the majority of farmers own the smallest amount of land between 0.0 and 2.99
hectares. The data shows that 18,300 hectares in the 10 to 25 plus hectare sector, is
shared between 1,183 farmers; averaging 15.4 hectares each.
Farmers Land Area[H] Comparison of CLT & CLOA Tenure by Plot Size by Farmers and Land Area [H]
35% 31.76%
29.64% 29.09%
30%
25% 22.48%
20% 15.51%
12.16% 12.74%
15% 10.32% 10.50%
10% 7.48%
6.04% 5.25%
5% 1.49% 2.22% 1.66% 1.11%
0.55% 0.00%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

60
2005
Farmers Land Area[H] Comparison of Owner Like Possession by Plot Size by Farmers and Land Area [H]
30% 26.63%
25% 21.98%
20.03%
20% 17.29% 17.09%
15.63%
13.09% 12.12%
15% 10.86% 11.51%
8.74% 8.95%
10%
4.49% 4.88%
2.72% 2.86%
5% 0.84% 0.31%
0%
Farmers Land Area[H] Comparison of Tenanted Tenure by Plot Size by Farmers and land Area [H]
30%
25.50%
25% 22.63% 22.18%
21.36%
19.67%
20% 17.93%
15% 12.75% 12.85% 11.75%

9.12%
10% 7.34%
4.12% 4.57% 4.45%
5% 1.33% 1.92%
0.38% 0.15%
0%
Farmers Land Area[H] Comparison of Leased & Rented Tenure by Plot Size by Farmers & Land Area [H]
30% 26.36%
25% 22.43% 22.20%

20.69% 20.29%
20%
15.51% 15.14%
15% 12.70% 12.30%
8.41% 8.47%
10% 6.73%
3.74%
5% 1.68% 1.68% 1.68%
0.00%
0.00%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

61
2005
Farmers Land Area[H] Comparison of Rent Free Tenure by Plot Size by Farmers & Land Area [H]
60% 52.07%
50%
40%
30%
20.83%
18.31% 17.02%
20% 13.03% 14.96% 12.71%
12.29% 11.11% 11.43%
6.16%
10% 3.13% 3.63%
1.75% 1.29% 0.28% 0.00%0.00%
0%
The above graph shows that more than 87% of farmers live rent-free on 46% of the
available land between 0 and 2 hectares. With 52% of the farmers sharing 13% of the land
available in the rent-free sector, this may account for increase in ‘homelot’ or backyard
farming. 566 farmers share 122 hectares; sharing 2100 square metres each.
Farmers Land Area[H] Comparison of Overall Average by Plot Size by Farmers & Land Area [H]
25% 22.57%
22.01%
20% 18.09% 18.55%

16.87% 17.12%
13.90% 14.19%
15%
12.32%
10.71%
9.19%
10% 8.38%
4.42%
5% 3.66%
2.82% 2.63%
2.30%
0.27%
0%
Land Use & Tenure

62
2005
Summary:
Overall, the NSO agricultural census of 2002 highlights many of the problems
associated with feeding a nation, although this was probably not the NSO’s
intention, as it is only an analysis and comparison of the raw statistics that
highlights the problems. The report emphasises the increase in numbers of crops or
livestock produced, yet, given the annual population expansion rate over the 1991-
2002 census period, the proportions of the of the various production sectors have
mostly declined and the movement away from non-food crops should be of major
concern.
Many countries do not have the physical resources to provide the nation with all of
the food requirements, all of the time and yet, these nations eat well. These
countries have realised their limitations to produce food and have fashioned an
economy that through industry or processing, supports the importation of the food
requirements, leaving a balance of payments to support future development.
The lack of investment in infrastructure, sustainable power provision, irrigation and
processing facilities, may restrict the ability of the province to fully develop its
potential, yet the potential is there. Abaca, Coconut, Pili, commercial timber,
livestock etc, all would show long term gains, although for some, there may be a need
to improve port handling facilities to take foreign boats for exporting processed
raw materials.
Above all, it may take a period of time in Northern Samar, during which basic
foods become in shorter supply, before any real action is taken. Municipal
autonomy in the Department of Agriculture may, in theory be desirable, yet
the lack of central control and budgets will impede agricultural development
for many years. Although agricultural officers often have paper
qualifications, the appointments often seem to be cultural rather than
professional, with budgets largely dependent upon the whim of municipal
executives.
Although industrialised agriculture would increase yields, industrialising agriculture
would create an employment crisis within the agricultural community, for those
dependent on the income from full time and casual employment. Besides this, the
high cost of converting to industrial agriculture is very restrictive.
Perhaps, some of the international finance and development ‘experts’ do have a point
of argument, when they promote the idea of leaving the Philippines to wallow for a
while in its own problems and create the crisis that may force real change. Few
could support the humanitarian crisis that this would cause; yet, a solution may have
to be forced on a nation that has become conditioned to a lifestyle that is self-
destructive.
Whether or not the educational system in the province has some responsibility for
the poor agricultural production can be debated. The poor facilities of the local
Land Use & Tenure

63
2005
university in agricultural and livestock technology and development and also the
limited curriculum of the highschools provides an area dependent on natural
resources with poor support.
Keeping the farmers ignorant may suit the landowners, but

does nothing to promote advancement in agricultural
management and technology.
Land Use & Tenure

64
The Barangays
The barangay [village] is the basic unit of Philippines society, although large
barangays can be split into Sitios [boroughs]. All over the world, the village
structure, be it European, African Indian or other, is at the heart of communities in
both urban and rural areas.
However, no other village exists as it does in the Philippines, with the strange but
loose ‘group mentality’ that is seemingly strict, but is in fact very relaxed, as
everyone knows the boundaries, and within these boundaries, life is enjoyable.
The Filipino village is a community that bonds very strongly during social activities,
sometimes making it difficult for non-group member to break in and integrate. As in
all types of small communities, a certain amount of gossip pervades the day-to-day
life of the village, and it is doubted that there are many secrets that exist in the
barangay.
The barangay is overseen by the elected officials of the barangay council. Because
poor community members are often dependent on patronage, the barangay captain is
powerful in more ways than many community members realise. Hardly anything
happens in a barangay that the captain is unaware of. And should the national
government and its decision-making houses be dissolved, power will be passed into
the hands of the barangay captains, as has happened in the past.
This documentation essentially looks at three types of barangay, mostly
concentrating on the rural based communities, where the majority of livelihood
workers reside. Many urban communities included in the survey are dormitories for
town and city activities, and focus has been given to those barangays where low-
income families are the majority. The barangays vary from the coastal to those in
the interior. Notably different lifestyles were found, with the upland barangays
most disadvantaged yet predominantly dependent on their own resources and a
forced simple lifestyle, due mostly to their isolation.
The coastal barangays are equally impoverished, yet less dependent on any one
source of income. Although fishing is the main economic activity in coastal
barangays, families engage in copra production and other activities in order to get
by during the typhoon season, when fishing becomes impossible.
Of all the barangays, one would think that the delta barangays would be the most
advanced. However, these are often populated by tenant farmers living in poor
conditions, and are lacking in finances and technology to develop the land.
Surprisingly, few have irrigation facilities [one in 307 households], and are reliant on
rain fed rice production. There are areas that have irrigation schemes, but these
are few and many of the existing systems are in dire need of maintenance or repair.
The hierarchy based political system makes the barangays dependent on the
municipal leaders and vice versa. Municipal projects are often undertaken in
barangays with high voting populations, as municipal leaders often court the favour
of the barangay captains for election support.
The Barangays
1
Coastal Barangays
Many of the coastal barangays started as points of departure for the timber cut by
loggers during the 1950’s. The loggers had established a coastal road, parts of which
still exist, to the shores. Ships would drop anchor beyond the reefs and the timber
would be floated out and hauled aboard. Although the loggers left when they had
met their objectives, many of the labourers in the temporary settlements remained.
A good paved highway now allows travellers and traders easy access to many areas
along the coast.
Along the entire coast of the province, there are few deep-water access points; and
being heavily reefed and shallow, the coast is considered a tsunami-prone area from
Catarman through to Lapinig. The seasons bring both mirror calm seas as well as
roiling two- and three-metre waves to the reef strewn shoreline.
[Typical coastal approach along the coast]

In a few of the coastal municipalities, beach resorts have been established that aim
to cater to holidaymakers, but few actually come and the barangay folk hardly
benefit from these. The few ‘dive sites’ are poorly attended, and the marine
environmental sanctuaries are not able to address the dire need to allow fish species
and numbers to recover from the illegal and over fishing.
The survival of the fishing industry in Northern Samar is dependent on marine
conservation in three prime areas. These are the Biri, Lavezares and Rosario area to
the west, Pambujan, Laoang and Palapag area to the east and the small island area of
Hirapsan in the middle. Hirapsan is important as a place of migration for fish; it has
stocks of many species. In the Biri area, there is a consortium of agencies, aided by
government protection supervisors, that enforces fishing laws and restricts the
spread of fish farming into the mangroves.
Coastal Barangays
1
Little is done to afford these areas the protection that is needed, although some of
these areas are already protected by municipal ordinances. A few small working
sanctuaries show what can be achieved with the participation of the local fishermen.
The small area outlined in a dashed line [Caohagan Island in the municipality of
Pambujan], is also an important site, as it contains many fish species, but the island
itself has two endangered species of bird; the Tabon-Tabon and the Golden Crested
Fox Bat, which is being shot for sport.
In the east, the municipality of Palapag is on the migratory route of the Yellow Fin
Tuna towards the coast of Eastern Samar and onwards to the main tuna fishing
grounds off the coast of General Santos.
As in many places, illegal fishing is a major problem, with few offenders being
apprehended. One of the main factors contributing to the continuance of this
activity is the lack of provincial ordinances that would open the seas and enable the
legal ‘hot pursuit’ of offenders.
Continual squabbles between the municipalities, over maritime boundaries and
jurisdiction over ‘their’ waters, have posed additional obstacles. While provincial
government has attempted to resolve some of the problems, illegal fishing continues.
At present, there is an effort by the municipalities of Pambujan and San Roque to
delineate their coastal waters, a much needed and important step forward.
Given that few coastal householders own land, agricultural activities are only
undertaken during the fishing off-season, as a means to augment income. Casual
coconut production is the main activity, although a few householders till rice lands
further inland, or parcels of family land in the upland areas.
From the graph below it can be seen that on average, the householders of the
coastal barangays own or lease very little land. Only 29.91% own uarable agricultural
land. The graph also shows a comparison between land tenure in coastal barangays
Coastal Barangays
2
and the average. Most of the agricultural land is planted to coconut and, on average,
the coastal ‘farmers’ rely on coconut for only 36.61% of their income, in comparison
to the average 63.27%
1 63.39%
Coastal Barangays - Land Tenure 2003
1
Coastal Average
1
39.81%
37.62%
0
29.91%
0
22.57%
6.70%
0
0
Of all the household types, the coastal barangay households enjoy a variety of
income generation opportunities that compensate for the loss of income when the
weather is bad and seas are high. Backyard activities and copra are amongst the
extra income generation pursuits, although many of the fishermen are too proud to
undertake such land-based activities.
70% 66.50%
Coastal Barangays - Income Sources 2003
60%
50%
40%
31.00%
30%
20% 13.50%
10%
1.00%
0%
The graph above shows that, on average, 66.50% of coastal households rely on
fishing as their main source of income, with 13.50% reliant on small business; this is
not unusual. The small businesses range from fish vending to the ubiquitous sari-sari
store or Tuba selling. The category ‘other’ refers to those who have salaried or
regular wage earning permanent employment.
Coastal Barangays
3
Percentage of Coastal Barangay Households Dependent on Fishing
100%
91.30%
90%
76.19%
80%
69.64%
70%
60.00% 60.00% 61.11%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Bara A Bara B Bara C Bara D Bara E Average
35% 33.04%
30.36% Coastal Barangay Average Monthly Household Income by % 2003
30%
25%
20%
15% 11.61%
10% 7.14% 6.25%

5.36%
5% 2.68% 1.79%
0.89% 0.00% 0.00% 0.89%
0%
P 1000 P 2000 P 3000 P 4000 P 5000 P 6000 P 7000 P 8000 P 9000 P 10000 P 11000 P 12000
As can be seen, the monthly household income for a coastal household ranges
between P1,000 and P4,000, with an average monthly income of P3,205. Of this, a
working wife provides 18.90% or P606 per month.
It is often assumed that household relatives who work outside of the province
[either Manila or abroad] send large amounts of money back to the households.
However, this survey shows that this is not so. Typically, an absentee coastal
household member sends P89 per month, or 2.77% of the total monthly income; the
overall average for absentee workers is P200 per month, not the thousands that
many assume. Therefore, a working wife and an absentee worker provide P695
[21.68%] [overall average P2,209], per month and the husband P2,510 [78.32%].
Coastal Barangays
4
The survey of household structures [walls and roofs] shows that more coastal
households have block walls, although nipa roof shingles are preferred. Block walls
are more protective against the storms that sweep in from the sea and will
withstand the strong typhoons better. Nipa roof panels are easier and cheaper to
replace than iron sheets.
100%
Coastal Barangay - Household Structure 2003 87.50%
90%
80%
70% 62.50%
60%
50%
37.50%
40%
30%
20% 12.50%
10%
0%
Nipa Walls Block Walls Nipa Roof Iron Roof
Coastal Average
Coastal Barangay - Household Structure 2003
100%
87.50%
90% 80.34%
80% 73.79%
70% 62.50%
60%
50%
37.50%
40%
26.21%
30% 19.66%
20% 12.50%
10%
0%
Nipa Walls Block Walls Nipa Roof Iron Roof
Coastal Barangay - Potable water Sources - 2003

45%
38.18%
40%
35%
30%
22.73%
25% 20.00% 19.09%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Communal Faucet Communal pump Private pump Spring
Coastal Barangays
5
In general, the coastal barangays are well supplied with potable water all year round
and have the highest prevalence of private pumps [38.18%], compared with the
average barangay with 28.64%.
With the coastal barangays’ dependence on fishing, the VSO 2003 survey looked at
the types of fishing practices and gear used and the following graphs show the
results.
90% 83.3%
Type of Fishing Gear by % 2003
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20% 14.1%
10% 2.6%
0%
Net & Hook Spear Cages
By far the highest occurrence is the spear fishing technique, used mainly in the reef
areas, where fishermen use powerful lights to attract the fish.
The picture shows the typical form of

fishing used by the older fishermen,
but more and more younger men now
use this technique as well. This may be
a sign of need to augment income.
The typical small engineless fishing boat in the

picture plies the inshore waters and the areas
around the reefs, although some go further out
to sea when the weather permits.
These are often used twice in one day, by the
fishermen at night and the grandfathers and sons
in the afternoons. It is during the afternoons
that illegal dynamite fishing takes place.
Coastal Barangays
6
100% 93.55%
Tenure of Boats by % 2003
80%
60%
40%
17.95%
20%
4.84% 1.61%
0%
Owns Shares Hires Labourer only
60%
Good, 51.61% Condition of Boats by % 2003
50%
40%
Reasonable, 30.65%
30%
Needs repair,
20%
11.29%
10% Poor, 6.45%
0%
Fishermen are proud of their profession and usually take great care of their boats
as the above graph shows. More than 81% of their boats are in good or reasonable
condition. The others are used mostly for inshore work, such as seine net fishing for
the schools of fish that inhabit the near shoreline.
Simple compressors are used for spear fishing amongst the reefs. It is the usual
rule that below thirty metres, divers require ‘wet’ suits to protect them from the
cold and that none should stay below thirty metres for more than thirty minutes.
Yet these fishermen go down to sixty metres or more, wearing only normal clothing,
and stay below often for three or four hours at a time. They use a small light and a
spear, and breathe foul compressed air pumped through a small plastic tube held in
the mouth. Few get the bends, but many suffer from TB caused by the dirty air that
they breathe in and the very low underwater temperatures.
Coastal Barangays
7
Typical on-board
compressor
equipment used by
the divers.
Coastal Average Coastal Barangay - Livestock Assets - 2003

35% 30.80%
28.57%
30%
25%
20%
15% 11.61%
10% 5.86%
3.57%
5% 2.05%
0%
Carabao Cattle Swine
The householders of the coastal barangays, probably as part of their seasonal

integrated fishing/farming activities, keep a higher percentage of carabao and
cattle, in comparison to the average barangay. Yet, surprisingly, they keep fewer
swine, perhaps because of the lack of forage necessary for scavenging pigs.
The grazing along the shoreline and coconut groves is ideal for cattle and should be
encouraged, as the quality of the province’s cattle is very high. Should the
Nortehanons acquire a taste for goat meat, these would also do well from the mixed
grazing and forage available.
Coastal barangays are not always suitable for backyard vegetable production and the
low vegetable diet is often the reason for poor nutrition.
Coastal Barangays
8
Under 18's in Elementary or Highschool Education 2003
70% 63.66%
56.79% 56.36%
60%
48.64%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Most coastal barangays have elementary schools or reasonable access to elementary

schools. Although high school facilities are based mostly in the poblacion areas, the
coastal highway has many jeepneys that can take students to school. However,
higher fuel costs have meant higher jeepney fares, which may prove to be too much
of a burden for some.
Barangay health:
Out of the five coastal barangays covered by the survey, only two have health
clinics, with Barangay Health Workers [BHWs] averaging 43 households to attend
to, or 236 heads per BHW.
During the typhoon season, it is the coastal barangays that are most at risk. During
severe storms, fishermen cannot go to sea and diets are consequently poor; they
often have to seek emergency shelter and aid, often from the sisters of the ‘Sacred
Heart’ organisation. During these times, malnourishment is very high among all family
members; and some live on rice and wild vegetables for many days. Many become
dehydrated and numerous children acquire internal and external parasites.
Boats tied up on the shore can be damaged by the storms, often tossed through the
air with the roofs of houses.
The ‘Sacred Heart’ ladies say that it has become increasingly difficult for them to
give aid to all those that need emergency support. In addition, they have noted that
more and more very poor people call for aid even during normal times.
Coastal Barangays
9
Delta Barangays
The term ‘delta’ is used to define the main flat land areas, where the majority of
rice is grown. These areas flood during the rainy seasons and these floods are relied
upon to maintain soil fertility since rich deposits are washed down from the upland
areas.
Of all the areas, it would naturally be assumed that the delta areas are richest in
resources and generate sufficient produce all year round to benefit the province.
However, the actual situation is one of declining yields and poor soil quality. It is
because landowners and tenants neglect soil and land management. As can be seen
from the graph below, only 46.81% of the householders own their land, with 36.17%
tenanting or leasing and 17.02% landless.
50% 46.81%
Delta Barangay - Land Tenure 2003
45%
40% 36.17%
35%
30%
25%
20% 17.02%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Absentee owners often fail to plough back any of the profits gained, with the result
that yields decline and soil becomes more acid. Further exacerbating the situation is
the pollution caused by the acid minerals washed down from the uplands because of
soil erosion.
90%
79.49%
80% Delta Barangay - Main Crop Production - 2003
70%
60%
50% 43.59%
40%
30%
17.95%
20%
10%
0%
Corn Rice Coconut
Delta Barangays
1
Surprisingly, the VSO survey showed that only 43.59% of the delta farmers grew
rice and of these, only 11.76% had irrigation facilities of any kind. The graph above
clearly shows one reason why the province is behind others in rice production: The
delta farmers engage more in coconut production (79.49%) since coconut is
considered a more reliable crop.
However, it must be stated here that the VSO survey did not include the main
provincial delta areas, and that a separate survey of these may show different
results.
3300
3212.77
Average Monthly Household Income by Barangay Type
3200
3100
3020.51
3000 2957.45
2891.30
2900
2800
2700
35%
29.79% Delta Barangay - Average Monthly Household Incomes 2003
30% 27.66%
25%
20%
14.89%
15%
10.64%
10%
6.38%
4.26%
5% 2.13% 2.13% 2.13%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0%
P1000 P2000 P3000 P4000 P5000 P6000 P7000 P8000 P9000 P10000 P11000 P12000
Delta Barangays
2
The survey showed that nearly 83% earned less than P5,000 per month, giving an
average household income per month of P3,113. Of this amount, a working wife
supplies P1,115 and an absentee family member sends P569 per month. Thus, the
main breadwinner provides only 42% of the average monthly household income.
More than in any other barangay type, it is the working mother and absentee family
member that provides for a delta family. There is surely something wrong when,
despite having the richest soil assets of all types, the delta system does not seem
to reward the farmers for their toil, but instead allows landowners to feed from
these and take the profits out of agriculture.
Coastal, Inland Delta and Upland Monthly Household Incomes P0 to
85% 84.78% P5000
85%
84%
83.57%
84%
82.98% 82.98%
83%
83%
82%
Education:
The following graph shows the percentages of delta barangay youth that attend
education facilities, and also gives a comparison with the percentage of the under
eighteens that attend.
In School All Under 18's Delta Barangay - Percentage in Education - 2003
70%
60.92%
60%
50%
40% 32.72% 32.18%

30%
17.28%
20%
6.90%
10% 3.70%
0%
Delta Barangays
3
For the rice market, the number of small farmers that are abandoning rice
production must be of concern. Many have yields less than 1.5 tonnes to the hectare
[barangay research shows 1.47 tonnes per hectare as the norm], whereas 2.25 to 2.5
tonnes is considered the ‘break even’ level of production. The provincial
government’s decision to promote ‘certified#’ rice rather than ‘hybrid’ rice may well
prove beneficial. In some of the larger delta areas, where irrigation facilities are
available, farmers achieve much higher yields.
The “Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project” [HCAAP], partly funded by
the Japanese government, has been reasonably successful with irrigation and
technical support provision to the farmers. It is hoped that these farmer
beneficiaries will be encouraged to produce other crops during the non- rice growing
seasons, providing benefit to the farmers themselves and the wider community.
Even though many farmers are changing to other crops, the level of support from
the municipal and provincial agricultural offices is generally so poor that there will
be little progress in agriculture in the near future. This is not to say that the NGOs
fare any better; although they promote agricultural activities, few have qualified
agricultural staff to give the advice and training required. Extension services
offered by the university to the barangays show very little gain for their efforts;
the university extension workers are usually full of theoretical knowledge but have
narrow vision, often insisting that farmers follow their lead even when their ideas
are unsuitable.
A soil mapping survey would be of most value to the delta areas, although it would
probably show a high requirement of lime to stabilise the soil for suitable rice
production. Perhaps, in time, the realisation that Northern Samar is not a suitable
rice production area will emerge, and time and money will be invested to determine
an alternative agricultural future for the province. However, the finances required
#
Certified rice can be replicated and used for seed, whereas not all produce of hybrid rice
varieties can be used as seed.
Delta Barangays
4
to promote and invest in alternative crops and crop processing are unlikely to
become available easily.
Although the delta areas depend on seasonal floods to deposit fertile soils, the
flood-prone areas are expanding due to the siltation of the rivers, causing new
agricultural and other problems. As much as it is necessary to retain sufficient
water for prime rice production, it is also necessary to disperse surplus storm water
as efficiently as possible: Newly planted rice seedlings, if covered with water for
more than three days, will die from oxygen starvation. The canals that exist have
collapsed on themselves, or are garbage filled, and are therefore of little use for
dispersing surplus and unwanted storm water.
In addition, the steady siltation of the rivers is causing erosion of the delta area
riverbanks and the spreading of water over a wider flood plain. Aerial photography
shows the vast areas of inland marine areas, polluted with the residues of soil
erosion. Both the delta and coastal areas are victims of poor agricultural practices
of upland communities, but they exacerbate the problem by allowing canals to
become silted and clogged with garbage.
Delta Barangays
5
Upland Barangays
In theory at least, the upland areas should contain the richest resources, although
they do not enjoy the benefits of the flat delta lands and the coastal marine
reserves. The uplands are the nurseries of resources for mankind’s survival; yet
these areas are continuously abused and destroyed. The once plush forest cover
provided the perfect arena for animal and plant evolution, maintained a weather
pattern that continually recycled the carbons in the air, and provided sufficient
materials for man to exist.
The Philippines has, or had, one of the richest biodiversity reserves of the world,
and the island of Samar was one of the prime areas of the Philippines. These
resources are now slowly dying out and the genetic bio-diversity decreasing.
6,000
5,684
5,000
4,000
3,000 2,983
2,477
2,000
1,000
625
179
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
These two graphs depict the decline in the forest cover of Northern Samar. The
one above shows the decline within privately owned or tenanted land. The one below
shows the decline within the Samar Island Biodiversity Park. It also plots the
annual deforestation rate of 7.9% through to a logical date by which the forest,
covering 17,654 hectares in 2004, will have declined to one (1) hectare.
Northern Samar Forest decline at 7.9% per annum

34000 34100
32000
30000
28000
26000
24000
22000
20000
18000 17654
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000 3135
2000 401 51 7 1
0
Y1996 Y2004 Y2025 Y2050 Y2075 Y2100 Y2118
Upland Barangays
1
The year 2118 may be a very long time ahead and it can be argued that the situation
could be reversed before then, yet who will do so, given the pressures of the
national debt, the temptations to extract the minerals and prime lumber of this rich
area, and the urgency of the day-to-day needs of poor families?
The preservation of the ‘Samar Island Natural Park’ in Mondragon, Silvino Lobos and
Las Navas is not considered an area of great concern to the province, even while the
provincial natural forest is slowly being depleted. The ‘Samar Island Biodiversity
Project’ is trying to address this issue and has received funding from the United
Nations.
Many of the upland communities rely on coconut and lumber for their livelihood, with
root crops and maize grown as staple foods. Some communities with flat areas
produce small amounts of upland rice, yet it is copra that dominates, with abaca
plantings on the increase.
Hopefully, the increasing interest in Pili nut production may help towards addressing
part of the need to reforest, although the loss of the indigenous hardwoods would
take many decades to reverse. It is not only for the tree cover that re-forestation
is required, as the watershed areas of forest are important as potable water
sources. It is hoped that the project of the Haribon Foundation to support
replanting of indigenous forests would come to this province.
Many of the upland barangays are virtually cut off from the other communities
during the heavy rains, when rivers become torrents and are only navigable by the
experienced boatmen. During the quieter times, and during the dry seasons, there
are only a few centimetres of water, due to the heavy siltation. The siltation has
meant that boats cannot carry much produce and as a consequence, produce is
expensive to move. If someone were to develop a lightweight barge that could carry
the heavy loads of produce, it would improve the incomes of the upland farmers, by
reducing the cost of carriage, which can reach up to P25 per kilogram.
Upland Barangays
2
Only carabao or horses can negotiate existing trails with loads. No vehicles can get
to these barangays; and it can take nine hours to reach by boat. The municipality of
Silvino Lobos takes a minimum of 8 to 12 hours of trekking to reach, and up to 24
hours during the rainy season.
Most of the upland barangays are situated near to the rivers. It is common to see
whole families actively scouring the muddy water’s for small fish, either using nets
to scoop the muddy river bottom or trawling for surface fish. These fisher folk
seem to be extremely poor, live in small squalid riverbank settlements, and do not
integrate with the other communities.
Land Tenure:
The table below shows the average land tenure of upland householders and it is
interesting to note that the upland householders have the lowest landless
percentage, as compared to coastal (62.77%) and inland delta (17.02%). It is also
interesting to note that from this survey, the amount of land ‘owned’ is the same as
for the inland delta householders.

Upland 6.38% 46.81% 46.81%
Upland Barangays
3
Upland Barangay Household Land Tenure 2003 by Percentage
46.81% 46.81%
50%
40%
30%
20%
6.38%
10%
0%
Incomes:
The VSO 2003 survey asked about the average monthly household income for one
year and this included monies provided by a working partner and absentee family
members who work away but send money home. In an average month, the working
partner in an upland household earns approximately P200 and an absentee family
member provides P95. From the average total monthly household income of P2,381,
the extra income accounts for only 12% of the total.
All Barangays P0 to P5000 per Month Average Income by Percentage
64%
62.91%
62.59%
63%
62%
61% 60.17%
60%
59%
58%
Upland Barangays
4
Upland Barangay - Average Household Monthly Income 2003 by
Percentage
30% 28.06%
24.46%
25%
20%
14.39%
15%
8.63% 8.63%
10%
5.76% 5.76%
4.32%
5%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0%
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000
The graph above shows that the majority of households earn a monthly income of
between P1,000 and P4,000, with the average being P2,957. The following graph
shows that of the total household income, the husband provides 60.43%, a working
wife 36.34% and an absentee worker supplies [on average] 3.24% each month. These
households are heavily reliant on the income of a working wife for survival and native
alcohol production and handicrafts may account for a high proportion of this income.
3500
2957 Upland Barangay - Household Income Sources [Peso] 2003
3000
2500
2000 1787
1500
1074
1000
500
96
0
Total Husband Wife Absentee
Upland Barangays
5
Upland Barangay - Household Structure 2003
90%
76.60% 74.47%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
23.40% 25.53%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Nipa Walls Block walls Nipa Roof Iron Roofs
The high percentage of nipa walls and roofs probably reflects a high incidence of
poverty, but also the difficulty and cost of transporting other materials to the
upland barangays.
[E-VAT may now be imposed on ‘forest products’ and this will include the local materials that
dwellings are made of.]
Upland Barangays
6
Typical uplands dwelling
45% 40.43% 42.55%

Upland Barangay - Potable Water Sources 2003
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
14.89%
15%
10%
5% 2.13%
0%
Communal faucet Communal pump Private pump Spring
As can be seen from the graph above, potable water comes from a spring source and
many barangays have piped the water to communal faucets. Overall the spring water
accounts for 83% of the potable water sources. However, field research will show
that many of the communal areas are quagmires of mud, without concrete bases.
Also, there is a danger of spring sources becoming contaminated where water is
allowed to collect then used by residents for their ablutions.
Coconut:
Northern Samar produces nearly 32% (2002 figures) of the total copra produced in
Region VIII, yet has limited processing ability. Other than ‘CMC Ventures Inc.’, no
one takes advantage of the coco charcoal, a shell by-product, for which there is a
growing demand from China. Other coconut producing countries in South-East Asia
will compete for this market and the Philippines should investigate the opportunity it
presents.
Upland Barangays
7
A typical product that could be
expanded within the province
The province has, according to the NSO, 16.8 million trees, of which 12.8 million are
productive, whilst the remaining 23.96% are juvenile or senile. The Philippines
Coconut Authority (PCA) states that there are 17.6 million trees, of which 13.45
million [23.57%] are juvenile or senile. The difference seems only to be in the
number of trees. Statistics agree that ‘on average’ there are 60 trees per hectare,
when there should be 100 trees. Statistics also show that only 76.42% of coconut
trees are productive, with 14.45% non-productive and 9.13% senile. Thus, only 46 of
the 60 trees are producing any income, and productivity is declining.
Several NGOs are promoting the production of ‘Virgin coconut oil’. Although
household virgin coconut oil production is a very good part-time income generation
activity that could make a large difference to lifestyles, the NGOs that have
supported this production have also totally ignored the marketing side. One small
organisation helped produce virgin coconut oil and dispersed it to poor people to sell
door-to-door, but they abandoned this after one month as the novelty had worn off
and sales ended.
These organisations should be advised that the ‘local’ market is saturated with
overpriced and poor quality virgin coconut oil. However, there is a huge market
outside the province. There are national companies that will buy wholesale amounts
of quality virgin coconut oil, but the household producers have no direct access to
this market. The NGOs must encourage local federations to act as middlemen in this
venture and purchase, for cash, the householders’ produce. The wholesale buyers
must then re-filter the oil into a quality product that they can trade on the national
market in bulk. With a PACAP FOCAS project for coconut [at this time only in Lope
de Vega and Catarman], there is likely to be much more virgin coconut oil produced.
But should the local trading market not support these ventures, virgin coconut oil
production will collapse in the same way that coffee did, some years ago.
Upland Barangays
8
Provincial Coconut Plantation - Comparison of NSO & PCA
Production Statistics
90%
76.04% 76.42%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
23.96% 23.58%
30%
20%
10%
0%
NSO Bearing Non-bearing PCA
[NSO = National Statistics Office / PCA = Philippines Coconut Authority]
90%
2002 Status of the Provincial Coconut Plantation by Percentage of Trees
76.42%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20% 14.45%
9.13%
10%
0%
Bearing Non-bearing Senile
The graph above depicts the status of the provincial coconut plantation and the high
percentage of senile trees shows us that replanting has been neglected by the
landowners. The Philippines Coconut Authority (PCA) has ignored the conservatism
of the coconut producers, promoting hybrid varieties for replanting and not
improving the ‘local’ varieties. For all of the intended goodwill, the landowners and
tenant farmers prefer the local (or native) varieties for their hardiness and little
need of inputs.
Available date shows the percentage of trees on land tenure types and these show
that more than 67% of coconut plantations are farmed by owners:
Upland Barangays
9
80%
67.04%
Coconut Production by % Land Tenure 2002
70%
60%
50%
40%
28.41%
30%
20%
10%
1.64% 1.29% 1.62%
0%
Provincial Coconut Plantation [Trees] by Percentage of Land Plot Size

by Hectare
This shows the large amount of coconut trees on plots over 3.0 hectares.
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Under 0.5 0.34%
0.0 to 0.99 1.64%
1.0 to 1.99 8.86%
2.0 2.99 11.03%
3.0 to 4.99 20.41%
5.0 to 7.0 18.07%
7.1 to 9.99 12.97%
10.0 to 24.99 21.50%
25.0 + 5.18%
Upland Barangays
10
Analysis of the coconut data from the PCA shows that from the 13.48 million
productive trees, 344,130,711 coconuts were produced in 2002. This gives an
average of 27 coconuts per tree per annum, with San Roque [44.98], Las Navas
[44.71] and San Jose [42.97] as the most efficient producers.
Although Lope de Vega has the most trees and produces the most coconuts, its
production ratio at 2.98% is low in comparison to other areas, and its efficiency
rating is only equal to Victoria in 19th position.
Coconuts produced Producing Trees Nuts to Trees Ratio
Allen 3.33% 2.76% 4.82%
Biri 0.60% 2.24% 1.06%
Bobon 5.53% 4.38% 5.03%
Capul 0.03% 1.89% 0.06%
Catubig 8.17% 5.85% 5.57%
Catarman 6.49% 6.84% 3.78%
Gamay 7.07% 6.22% 4.54%
Laoang 7.79% 8.49% 3.66%
Lapinig 3.69% 2.76% 5.34%
Las Navas 3.34% 1.91% 6.99%
Lavezares 5.54% 4.16% 5.32%
Lope de Vega 10.75% 14.39% 2.98%
Mapanas 2.78% 3.20% 3.45%
Mondragon 2.40% 1.94% 4.92%
Palapag 6.62% 7.19% 3.67%
Pambujan 6.17% 4.33% 5.68%
Rosario 2.06% 2.07% 3.97%
San Antonio 1.87% 1.92% 3.88%
San Isidro 5.51% 4.10% 5.36%
San Jose 3.08% 1.83% 6.72%
San Roque 2.08% 1.18% 7.03%
San Vicente 0.65% 1.46% 1.78%
Silvino Lobos 1.98% 5.58% 1.41%
Victoria 1.98% 3.33% 2.98%
The five most efficient coconut producing municipalities are as follows:
Coconuts produced Producing Trees Nuts to Trees Ratio
San Roque 2.08% 1.18% 7.03%
Las Navas 3.34% 1.91% 6.99%
San Jose 3.08% 1.83% 6.72%
Pambujan 6.17% 4.33% 5.68%
Catubig 8.17% 5.85% 5.57%
Upland Barangays
11
The following graph shows the full ranking of coconut production:
Provincial Coconut Production Ranking [Nuts produced to Trees]

0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00%
San Roque 7.03%
Las Navas 6.99%
San Jose 6.72%
Pambujan 5.68%
Catubig 5.57%
San Isidro 5.36%
Lapinig 5.34%
Lavezares 5.32%
Bobon 5.03%
Mondragon 4.92%
Allen 4.82%
Gamay 4.54%
Rosario 3.97%
San Antonio 3.88%
Catarman 3.78%
Palapag 3.67%
Laoang 3.66%
Mapanas 3.45%
Lope de Vega 2.98%
Victoria 2.98%
San Vicente 1.78%
Silvino Lobos 1.41%
Biri 1.06%
Capul 0.06%
The remoteness of the islands and Silvino Lobos can probably account for the low
rankings, although the island of San Antonio at 14th position shows good
development. The producers of this island can probably deliver directly to the
Upland Barangays
12
processing plant in San Isidro, displaying a municipality that capitalises on
opportunity.
Abaca:
Regardless of a great deal of support, many upland farmers are taking out their
banana, pineapple and other permanent crops, and converting some of the open lands
to abaca production. The soils of the province suit abaca and the twice yearly
harvesting of abaca stems for the fibre fit in with the quarterly harvesting of
coconuts for copra. As these incomes are reliable, many farmers have converted and
many more will probably do so. However, there is a danger that more forest areas
will be cleared for this. There is already evidence to show that forest on privately
owned and tenanted land is also being cleared.
Northern Samar's Banana Production (Tonnes)

16000
13037 Banana Expon. (Banana)
14000
12000
10000
8000
5163
6000
4000
2000
0
Y1993 Y1994 Y1995 Y1996 Y1997 Y1998 Y1999 Y2000 Y2001 Y2002 Y2003 Y2004
Northern Samar's Pineapple Production (Tonnes)
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
Y 1993 Y 1994 Y 1995 Y1996 Y 1997 Y 1998 Y 1999 Y 2000 Y2001 Y 2002 Y 2003 Y 2004
The two previous graphs clearly depict the declines in the production of banana and
pineapple. Other crops may equally be affected, although these have not yet been
documented.
The Fibre Industry Development Authority (FIDA) keep the health of the crop well
monitored, although their staff are limited. They also supply suckers and the
Upland Barangays
13
essential chemicals when ‘bunchy top virus’ or ‘mosaic virus’ is found. The following
graph shows the rapid increase in abaca production due to favourable market prices
of dried fibre. At the present time, it is estimated that the abaca farmers are
achieving only 50% of the potential from the existing plantation. Given support,
higher yields can be achieved.

7000
6000 5215
5000
4000
3026
3000
2000
1000
0
Y1993 Y1994 Y1995 Y1996 Y1997 Y1998 Y1999 Y2000 Y2001 Y2002 Y2003 Y2004
However, as much as the provincial abaca plantation can expand and however much
the high quality of the fibre can also be maintained, without the local ability to
process the fibre into pulp for the international market, the province loses very
large amount of money in added value. The ability to process abaca locally could
probably add sufficient income ‘within’ the province to balance the cost of importing
basic foods.
25% 22.08%
19.08%
20% 16.66% 16.89%
15%
8.37% 8.77%
10%
4.46%
5% 2.68%
1.02%
0%
Under 0.5 0 to 0.99 1.0 to 1.99 2.0 2.99 3.0 to 4.99 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.99 10.0 to 25.0 +
24.99
Abaca Plantings per Land Plot Size by Percentage
Upland Barangays
14
The NSO survey shows that there are 2.9 million abaca trees in the province, of
which 2.34 million [80.92%] are productive. The number of trees planted per
hectare is 383.4. On commercialised abaca farms, these planting figures would be
considered very low, yet many abaca producers here have small lots and do not
intensively plant.
Abaca Percentage of Productive Trees per Land Plot Size
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Under 0.5 66.06%
0 to 0.99 87.43%
1.0 to 1.99 81.31%
2.0 2.99 75.31%
3.0 to 4.99 80.75%
5.0 to 7.0 73.71%
7.1 to 9.99 83.04%
10.0 to 24.99 85.53%
25.0 + 95.10%
Average 80.92%
This graph shows that the under 0.5 hectare plots are least productive, although
with such small areas, it is likely that intercropping is carried out for inter-seasonal
income generation.
The DA statistics on production and farmgate prices show that, from the first
quarter of 2004, the kilogram price has risen by 49.48%, from P21.30 to P31.84. The
increasing international demand for abaca pulp will keep the province’s farmers
productive for many years. It is only hoped that the province can capitalise on this
by assisting in the provision of a pulping plant.
Abaca Price & Production Increases Comparison
60
Abaca (Price) Abaca (Production)
50 Expon. (Abaca (Price)) Expon. (Abaca (Production))
40
30
20
10
0
2003 2004 2005
Upland Barangays
15
The trendlines depict the potential for abaca fibre at the present rate of
production and prices.
The abaca industry may face some problems in the near future, as, whether at the
farmgate or at the traders; dried abaca fibre might be subjected to the 12% E-VAT
starting in 2006.
Pili:
The growing interest and importance of the Pili tree may be a small step towards
socio-economic development and the very important socio-environmental recovery of
the watershed areas.
Although the concentration of Pili nut processing is centred in the western
municipalities, such as Allen and Lavezares, other municipalities have good plantings
of Pili, and the eastern seaboard municipalities are the prime sources of many
seedlings planted in other areas. It is only the lack of a reliable infrastructure that
restricts the eastern seaboard municipalities from joining the Pili livelihoods
development.
In 2002, it was estimated, through the 2002 NSO agricultural census, that the
province has 5,970 hectares of Pili trees, containing 55,975 trees, of which 29,335
[52.41%] are productive.
30%
Pili Production by % Land Size of 5,907 H - 2002
24.23%
25%
19.23%
20%
16.98%
15.35%
15%
10% 7.89% 8.46%
4.62%
5% 2.79%
0.44%
0%
0.99 1.99 4.99 9.99 24.99
Upland Barangays
16
100% 95.96%
Pili Production by % Productive Trees
90%
80% 74.23% 73.85%

69.62%
67.00%
70%
60% 52.09%
48.39% 49.99%
50%
40%
31.41%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0.5 0.99 1.99 4.99 7.0 9.99 24.99
The DTI monitors several areas where Pili nut production and processing is active
and have estimated that, of the 7,268 trees that they monitor on 161.45 hectares,
57.03% are productive, whilst the NSO survey showed 52.41% productivity.
Pili Tree Productivity Comparison (DTI & NSO Statistics)
NSO, 52.41%
DTI, 57.03%
The potential for the Pili tree should neither be overestimated nor underestimated;
‘sensible’ development of the industry is required. Pili is a hardwood, is difficult to
propagate, has high value as an ingredient of ‘high end’ confectionaries, and produces
sap that contains Lauric oil and resin of high value for industry. Added to these
attributes, the Pili can be used in organic sprays and mosquito repellents.
Growing Pili is environmentally sound and trees should be used as one of several
species for watershed area reforestation. There are several varieties of Pili, but
the wild or native ones would be the most suitable to use, and the eastern seaboard
municipalities have adequate supplies of these. It is hoped that the adoption, by
Upland Barangays
17
PACAP, of Pili production development, will help the province maximise its Pili
potential.
Riverbank Erosion:
Of greatest concern to the upland environment, with its domino effect on the areas
lower down, is the increasing amount of riverbank erosion. The constant cultivating
and planting of crops has left the riverbanks highly fragile, crumbling into the
already heavily silted rivers.
Despite some municipal ordinances restricting crop planting on the riverbanks, the
householders continue with this, neither understanding the local environmental
damage, nor the harm that the silts and washed out minerals are creating further
down river. Maize planting is often the most destructive, with its ability to produce
roots down to five metres or more, breaking up the already fragile soil structure.
The constant need to plant vegetables also requires constant cultivating of the
topsoil. But heavy rains soon wash this away, and the householders then have to
start again further inland.
Backyard Vegetables and Fruits:
From the 2003 household survey, other than Kamote, the upland folk mostly produce
pole beans, ampalaya and eggplant in abundance in their backyards, although it must
be remembered that the fruit of the jackfruit tree is eaten mostly as a vegetable.
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Tomato 2.13% Upland Barangay's Backyard Vegetable Production by % of Households

Bulb onion 2.13%
Pechay 6.38%
Pole bean 14.89%
Ampalaya 17.02%
Eggplant 17.02%
Cucumber 2.13%
Kamote 36.17%
Squash 10.64%
Bell pepper 2.13%
The few surpluses that are produced are circulated within the upland areas. In
general, this is subsistence farming that partially sustains these communities. The
high cost of transporting goods and fresh produce by river restricts the average
Upland Barangays
18
diet of the upland folk, and backyard produce and root crops greatly help
households survive during the typhoon seasons.
Upland Barangay's Backyard Fruit Production by % Household
82.98% 85.11%
90%
80%
70%
60%
46.81%
50%
38.30%
40%
25.53%
30% 19.15%
20%
8.51%
10% 4.26%
0%
Banana Pineapple Mango Durian Jackfruit Papaya Guava Lanzones
PICTURES of an AREA IN CRISIS:

The Barangay:
An upland barangay, at first glance, appears like an area in need of some relief
projects, especially during and just after the rainy seasons. The most noticeable
feature, upon entering these barangays, is the number of very young children playing
in the streets. A second noticeable feature is the number of pregnant women. Some
of the problems are the following:
• Malnourished children and elderly folk are obvious.
• Scabies and other skin infections are very common in the children and youth.
• Many have dental problems.
The majority of the teenagers and those in their early twenties are absent. Some
are attending high school and college in central areas, but many have left to seek
work in the provincial centres. There is pressure on the female children to find
employment outside of the province, in order to be able to send home cash amounts
to support the family. If they stay, there is pressure to marry in their teenage
years. Many of the youth that remain have no employment or opportunity to move
away, and thus loiter about on the roads.
Illiteracy is high because of the lack of education facilities. Also, the youth often
need to drop out of school to help meet the income needs of the household. Some
barangays do not have schools. Of those that have elementary schools, the buildings
are often in very poor condition and offer only lower grade level classes. Children
have to walk many kilometres daily to attend grades 5 and 6 in lower barangays.
Upland Barangays
19
Schoolteacher numbers are inadequate and, as few live in the upland areas, they
have to commute to work weekly and are often absent during the rainy seasons.
Potable water is in short on supply in the barangays, although sources are abundant.
Outlets are often broken or sources of waterborne diseases.
Social and health services are lacking: Barangay health workers and traditional birth
attendants are few, and there are very few barangay nutritional scholars. Added to
this, there are few, if any, medicines available.
Houses are generally small and in poor condition. The mostly bamboo and nipa houses
are severely damaged during the rains and typhoons. Most small children and elderly
are housebound during bad weather, with rushing surface water making walking very
difficult on the greasy terrain. Fuelwood supplies are short and have to be carried
from the forest.
The communities are mostly dependant on root crops as their basic food and very
little maize is produced. Protein foods mostly come from cans, such as sardines and
corned beef, and chicken is the only but rare fresh meat eaten. There are few
vegetables grown, although the jackfruit is often cooked and eaten with rice. Few
livestock are visible.
Farmers pay high prices for carriage of their produce on the rivers. And as rivers
become more silted, carriage prices rise, as the boatmen are forced to carry less
per trip. The main farm products are copra and abaca.
Land access is at best very arduous and often impassable during the rains.
Environmental:
Taking a look at the general upland areas, one cannot ignore the uncontrolled
devastation of the environment. However, these are not, in the true sense, upland
areas, as at most they rise only to 300 or 400 metres above sea level.
Riverbanks are eroding, with large chunks of rain-saturated riverbanks collapsing
into the river, and riverbeds are badly silted. Boat passage is very difficult during
the drier seasons, with only a few centimetres of water in some places. Yet during
the rainy seasons, passage becomes nearly impossible, with raging waters in the
swollen rivers, which can rise by more than five metres during the rains. Added to
this, where the flood plains have become silted, there is a greater risk of flooding
on arable farmland.
Fallen trees cause passage problems and exacerbate the siltation of the rivers.
Where the logging companies have constructed roadways for the transport of cut
trees, the local authorities have failed to keep these vital transport organs in order.
Army engineer’s bridges are washed out and left to rot and block the rivers.
Upland Barangays
20
Once marginally fertile soil is now sterile, contains no humus and is usually washed
away during the heavy rains, exposing the foundation rock tiers. As the soil erodes,
it takes with it the shrubs and trees that are essential for soil stability, and the
‘domino effect’ is plain to see. The ‘unseen’ effect of the mineral deposits washed
down to the delta and coastal areas is the pollution of mangrove and reef areas.
The loss of flora and fauna species has not been fully documented, yet older folk
speak of animals and birds and plants that no longer exist.
Forest cover is being depleted by an estimated 7.9% per annum (DENR –FMB 1996
figures), with more than 60% of the forest cover having been lost since the 1950’s.
Only 34,100 hectares of forest cover remains in Northern Samar (DENR statistics).
The ‘Virgin’ forest area of Northern Samar is now made up of only 3,500 hectares.
Graphic displays will show that, at the present rate of deforestation, there will be
only one (1) hectare of forest remaining in this area by the year 2118. The socio-
economic and environmental effects of this will devastate the upland areas.
Fuelwood collection has to be carried out deeper into the forest, as homestead
resources no longer exist and no attempt at fuelwood management has been
undertaken. There seems to be total lack of awareness or avoidance of dealing with
environmental problems within any agency, LGU or community.
Socio-Economic:
For generations, the ‘farmers’ have tilled the marginal soil to provide for their
families, only to find that they eventually have to clear more land just to be able to
produce the same amounts of food that they used to produce in a smaller area. Crop
pests and diseases are prevalent and farmers cannot afford to purchase the
chemicals needed for control, although there are many ‘organic’ methods that could
be used.
Added to this, more trees are felled, and environmentally unsound income generation
activities are attempted in order to keep up with the need to meet the family’s
needs for food, clothing and schooling. It used to be that, when a coconut tree
became old and non-productive, it was felled for its timber. Now, productive coconut
trees are felled haphazardly for instant income from lumber and to fill the need to
provide more accommodation in these areas of high birth rates.
The need for fuelwood sees the felling of immature indigenous and hardwood trees
that are easy to transport to the household. Whole areas under the remaining
coconut cover now are covered only with shrubs and weeds.
All of the household problems relate directly to the condition of the environment.
It has a debilitating effect on the socio-economic status of the communities.
With modern medicine and treatments come modern diseases, and although many
upland folk are immune to many diseases, the costs of health care and treatment is
often beyond the ability of householders to afford. In addition, getting to the
nearest hospital for treatment is near impossible for many. Many children have bad
Upland Barangays
21
teeth, worms and skin parasitic infections on top of their malnourishment, yet no
remedies are provided by social services and many go untreated. Women have died
from childbirth complications, purely because they were unable to be taken to the
hospital.
Girls are usually married1 before they reach the age of sixteen, with many married
at fourteen. Birth rates are higher than in the delta or coastal areas, and although
there are a few traditional birth attendants, only a small number of them are fully
trained and registered. Visits from the municipal midwife range from quarterly to
rare. The women are not allowed to take charge of their own reproductive
capabilities, and reproductive health awareness and training is non-existent. In a
remote barangay, how a woman at the point of giving birth, and in great difficulty,
receives skilled medical attention is not known.
Education in many of these barangays, for those that have schools, is often given in
dilapidated buildings, neglected for years, with the typhoons contributing to the
shabbiness. There may be sufficient teachers for grades one to four, but higher
education has to be sought further down, in the more developed lowland areas. It is
understandable that many leave school after the fourth grade. Pressure to generate
income for the household often means going directly to work. Respect must be
shown to those parents, mostly the mothers, who are determined that their children
receive a better education than they themselves had, even if this leads to the
children leaving home after completing highschool, to find opportunities outside of
the municipality. There are no literacy classes for adults available.
With more than 20% of the rural population leaving the barangays to seek
employment outside of the municipality, the age gap is noticeable. Yet the under 18s
still outnumber the adults. The only likely benefit is that there may be less demand
on the environmental resources to provide for the needs of a full community.
The municipal leaders are starting to take note of the rise in population in the urban
areas. Many organisations and politicians now make comments about limiting the size
of families, in an attempt to check the rate of population growth. These
organisations and individuals ignore many of the basic beliefs and traditions about
large family sizes. Traditionally, large families mean more hands for survival and this
mentality is still true today.
By default, the living is simpler and, by necessity, cheaper. The upland folk are
hardier than those who live in lower areas, yet they lack many of the household
amenities taken for granted by their neighbours. Few have toilet facilities and use
the forest for their ablutions. Basic household goods are very expensive, having to
be transported for many kilometres by boat, by motorcycle or by foot.
1
Marriage in this instance refers to ‘traditional’ and not legal marriage, as defined by the
Philippines laws.
Upland Barangays
22
The Islands:
This section of the review looks at the main islands, and contributions to the
province’s production. The municipal island of Laoang [inclusive of Batag Island] is,
for the purpose of this document included with the mainland.
It is often predicted that tourism, or eco-tourism, will be the saviour of the islands,
as it will bring in large amounts of income and jobs for the island residents.
However, there are actually very few ‘tourist attractions’ within the province.
Furthermore, the lack of suitable accommodation and the problems of travel do not
put these beautiful places on many people’s tour itineraries. In general, the
province’s potential ‘tourist’ clientele would most likely be the ‘backpackers’ who
enjoy the hardships of adventure travel.
Islands
1
The island of San Antonio, in
some documents, is officially
designated as Dalupuri Island
[Some of the Biri rock formations]

Biri, with its magnificent rock formations, draws a few tourists. Successful abalone
and crab farming has also earned some income for the island.
Islands
2
The Islands’ Health:
At Risk Pregnancies Infant Mortalities

Biri 22.31% 1.20%
Capul 60.00% 5.49%
San Antonio 48.59% 0.56%
San Vicente 40.37% 0.62%
Provincial Av. 34.20% 1.88%
As can be seen from the above table, apart from Biri, ‘At Risk’ pregnancies are at a
much higher level than the provincial average. Informal research conducted in Capul
showed that the crisis level of 60.00% is nutrition based, as is the very high infant
mortality rate. Capul has a clinic with two experienced doctors, yet their ability to
respond to medical emergencies is minimal; they have no incubator or sufficient
medicines available.
Capul registers the second worst figures for at risk pregnancies within the province,
behind the mainland municipality of Rosario at 72.39%. It has the worst infant
mortality rate.
Number More than Less than % Less

Live births 2.5Kg. 2.5Kg. Than 2.5Kg.
San Vicente 176 155 21 11.93%
Capul 265 257 8 3.02%
Biri 236 231 5 2.12%
San Antonio 176 174 2 1.14%
Total 853 817 36 4.22%
Research is required to determine the exact cause of these island maternal and
child problems. Although there is a poverty issue, it is probably the lack and high
cost of fresh fruits and vegetables that is a root cause. There is every reason to
believe that small projects to produce vegetables and fruits would help in the long
term to alleviate this problem.
Another concern involves the difficulty in transporting patients to the nearest
mainland hospital at Allen. While it normally takes 50 minutes to get there across
the water, it becomes impossible for small boats to ferry patients during the
typhoon season, when the seas are too rough.
In 2003, the provincial government’s health office carried out a province-wide
weight survey. The results show that a high percentage of the island’s children
between 0 and 80 months have weights below normal.
Islands
3
Weights Very low Moderately low Mildly low Total
Biri 7 126 719 852
Capul 124 850 2,253 3,227
San Antonio 3 72 337 412
San Vicente 71 194 322 587
Totals 205 1,242 3,631 5,078
Biri 0.82% 14.79% 84.39%
Capul 3.84% 26.34% 69.82%
San Antonio 0.73% 17.48% 81.80%
San Vicente 12.10% 33.05% 54.86%
The island of San Vicente showed high rates of severely underweight infants, while
Capul showed a high percentage of moderately low weights. The malnutrition of both
children and breastfeeding mothers contributes to these results.
The root cause of many of the health problems on the islands is the lack of local
production of fresh produce, and the very high cost of bringing produce to the
islands. Although alternative income development is important, so is the development
of the basic quality of daily life gained through a healthy diet; and horticultural
development should figure high on the needs list.
Agriculture:
Basic soil analysis on some of the islands will show a high level of calcium in the soil
[alkaline soils], evidenced by the number of alkaline loving species, like papaya, that
grow there.
In general terms, these islands do not provide much of the agricultural supplies,
making them dependent on the mainland for basic foods. However, the island of
Capul has 7.46% of the provinces irrigated rice land and this is the 5th highest
amount of irrigated rice land in the province.
Island IRRIGATED RAIN-FED TOTAL
Biri 0 137 137
Capul 136 235 371
San Antonio 0 112 112
San Vicente 0 22 22
Total: 136 506 642
21.18% 78.82%
Islands
4
Coconut statistics:
Production (Trees) Total Production Status (%)

%
Non-Bearing Senile Bearing (Trees) % Bearing Senile % Non-Bearing
Biri 1,908 30,148 301,484 333,540 90.39% 9.04% 0.57%
Capul 42,418 30,569 254,740 327,727 77.73% 9.33% 12.94%
San Antonio 484 25,949 259,488 285,921 90.76% 9.08% 0.17%
San Vicente 24,438 23,593 196,606 244,637 80.37% 9.64% 9.99%
69,248 110,259 1,012,318 1,191,825 84.94% 9.25% 5.81%

Non-Bearing Senile Bearing
2.72% 6.85% 7.51%
Given that the islands do not produce large amounts of rice, coconut production is
the most important crop of the islands, although the difficulty and cost of
transport to the mainland is prohibitive. Biri is the 16th largest [of 24] producer of
nuts province wide, ranking highest in the province in terms of tonnage per hectare,
94.66%, eight percentage points higher than its nearest rival.
Capul and San Vicente more often take their produce to Masbate or Sorsogon, as
cost of transport to those places is cheaper. The islands, with their difficulties with
transporting their copra, should be ideal areas for virgin coconut oil production, and
this should be considered by the development agencies.
Power Services:
Islanders have learned to live with small generators at barangay level, which supply a
few hours power each evening. At the municipal buildings, where power is generated
at night only, many staff carry out their computer work in the evening.
Because power is only supplied at night, it has been interesting to note that there
has been a small cultural change. Adults use the electrical appliances at night, and
many youngsters roam the lit streets of public areas till midnight, when the power
goes off.
Overall, there is enormous scope to develop the islands, mainly to better ensure that
they produce more of the own needs and become less reliant on importing the basic
requirements from the mainland. There are small industries such as seaweed
production, virgin oil production and other activities that could be encouraged.
Islands
5
The Agriculture:
Agriculture in Northern Samar, like in many other areas of the Philippines, is not on
industrial levels. It is poorly supported, produces only 45% of the basic food
requirement of the province, and is often carried out on soils that have been poorly
managed, overused and often no longer suitable for temporary crop production.
These two maps depict the area of land available for agriculture and depict the main
areas suitable for the production of irrigated rice, the primary crop of the
Philippines.
Agriculture
1
Within the land usage areas are protected areas and these should be taken into
consideration by both government and non-government organisations that seek to
develop the province’s agriculture. Both seem to ignore the existence of protected
areas and this sets a poor example for the barangay folk.
Of the total agricultural land available [228,336 hectares] in 2005, the following
map shows that 93,226 hectares [or 40.83%] are cultivatable. With an estimated
population of 573,698, 1,625 square metres per person of land are available to grow
Agriculture
2
the basic crops. Put another way, 61 people need to be fed from the produce of 1
hectare of land.
From this area, it is estimated that 31,804 hectares are used [2005] for rice
production. 1,822 hectares are irrigated, and 29,982 hectares are rainfed delta and
upland rice lands. The total rice land accounts for 34.11% of the available
cultivatable land area, or 13.93% of the total agricultural land.
The NSO 2002 agricultural census shows that 31,442 hectares are used for rice
production, 362 hectares less than the provincial agricultural office’s data of 31,804
hectares. Given the differing means of information collection and the season in
which information is collected, 362 hectares is not a significant difference. The
NSO data shows that the riceland tenure is as follows:
Tenure: Hectares: Percentages:

Owned 17,316 55.11%
Tenanted 12,217 38.88%
Leased 1,082 3.44%
Rent free 399 1.27%
Other 408 1.30%
Total: 31,422
The NSO data shows the plot sizes on which the province’s palay is produced and
shows that the small farmer, with less than 2 hectares, in fact produces only 10.53%
of the province’s rice crop. 76.38% is grown on farm plots 3 to 25 hectares and, of
Agriculture
3
this, 55.10% is grown on plots of more than 5 hectares. Readers will note that the
total hectares in the plot size chart is at variance with other palay land totals.
Plot size: Total hectares Percentage of all:

0 to 0.499 h 301 0.69%
0.50 to 0.999 h 729 1.67%
1.0 to 1.999 h 3,571 8.17%
2.0 to 2.999 h 4,445 10.18%
3.0 to 4.999 h 9,295 21.28%
5.0 to 7.0 h 8,448 19.34%
7.001 to 9.999 h 6,705 15.35%
10.0 to 24.999 h 8,917 20.41%
25.0 plus h 1,274 2.92%
Total: 43,685
Statistics [NSO] show that the province had only 155 ‘owned’ threshers and 2,177
‘owned’ hand-tractors. There are statistics available for farmers that ‘hire’
agricultural equipment.
Palay Production Farmers to land Area (H)

56.14%
60% 55.11%
Palay Farmers Palay Land Area (H)
50%
38.39% 38.88%
40%
30%
20%
10% 3.34% 3.44% 0.89% 1.23%

1.27% 1.30%
0%
Agriculture
4
Rice Production:
Irrigation:
The 2004 statistics produced by the Provincial
Agriculture Office [PAO] show that only 5.73% (1822
hectares) of the riceland used is irrigated, although the
National Irrigation Authority [NIA] states that only
2000 hectares out of 3000 hectares of irrigated land is
used. Within the regional, the NIA states that the
province of Northern Samar has only 5.15% share of
irrigation facilities and this could be interpreted in two
ways: the NIA does not consider Northern Samar
suitable for irrigation or that the lack of investment
within the province has left the province without
facilities to produce the basic crop of rice. For some
years, there has been a plan to use the Bugko River in
the municipality of Mondragon as a source to irrigate
4,992 hectares of extra land for rice production, at an
overall cost of P1,275,000,000. However, although the engineering survey was
partially funded, the bulk of the finances have not been released.
Agriculture
5
Pambujan
Mondragon San Roque
Flood zone
Liquefaction zone
Some caution may be required before continuing the Bugko River irrigation scheme,
as parts of the area covered by the irrigation scheme overlap with the geological
hazard areas of liquefaction and flood zones. Without appropriate drainage
schemes, the ‘irrigation’ scheme could backfire during the months of heaviest rain as
too much water can equally be devastating.
Between 1991 and 2002, the NSO survey shows that there has been an increase of
5,035 hectares of rice land used. However, the palay percentage of agricultural land
in use has decreased by 0.95% from 20.14% to 19.95%. The statistics of the VSO
survey show that no coastal barangay has irrigation facilities and that only 30.26%
of farmers have access to any kind of irrigation facilities. However, the survey
shows that 18.18% of upland farmers use irrigation for rice production. Overall, only
2.68% of farmers grew irrigated rice.
Irrigated Rice Production by Percentage of Those with land Tenure

35%
30.26%
30%
25%
18.18%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0.00%
0%
Agriculture
6
Rainfed rice production statistics show that the upland and coastal farmers grow a
higher percentage of rainfed rice than the inland delta areas, and that, overall, only
32.48% of farmers grow rainfed rice.
Rainfed Rice Production by Percentage of those with Land Tenure
35% 34.09%
34%
32.71%
33%
32%
31% 30.26%
30%
29%
28%
Upland rice production shows some popularity in both coastal and inland delta areas
and farmers stated that their soil seemed to produce a higher quantity of upland
rice. This is probably due to the increased acid nature of the soil, which suits upland
rice better. That 7.89% of inland delta farmers grow upland rice may indicate the
level of change in the soil fertility. Overall, 6.59% of farmers grew upland rice
varieties.
Upland Rice Production by Percentage of those w ith Land tenure

20% 18.18%
15%
10% 7.89%
5%
1.43%
0%
Rice production, as with other temporary crops, has shown a decline, whilst the
production of permanent crops is on the increase. Overall, temporary crops have
declined by 0.53% and permanent crops have increased by 2.14%, as shown in the
following graph.
Agriculture
7
The NSO data provides some very interesting figures on the land tenure and plot
size, by farmers and by land area. Most of this information is available in the “Land
Use & Tenure” sector of this review.
From the NSO agricultural census of 2002 can be seen details of the land tenure
changes since the 1991 census. These clearly show that ownership of agricultural
land is on the decline, whilst part ownership and tenanted land tenure is on the
increase. This seems to be at odds with the land tenure reform act, intended to put
more land into ownership.
Northern Samar Direct Comparison Between Land Tenure & Hectares

Used in Tenure

10% 4.51% 4.87%
5% 1.80% 2.23% 0.64% 0.51% -0.11%
0%
-5% -0.76%
Farmers Land Area (h)
-10% -6.20%
-7.50%
Crop Total Owned Tenanted Leased Rent free Other +

Temporary Palay 31,422 17,316 12,217 1,082 399 408
Corn 50 39 4 1 6 0
Root crops 1,045 707 173 29 109 27
Vegetables 56 24 24 1 6 1
Permanent Citrus 5,733 4,089 1,304 131 104 105
Banana 12,857 7,858 4,358 255 250 136
Mango 2,039 1,186 737 20 43 53
Coconut 111,806 74,951 31,765 1,836 1,443 1,811
Coffee 45 32 13 0 0 0
Pineapple 460 314 133 4 9 0
Fibre crops 2,456 2,159 127 36 100 34
Total 135,396 90,589 38,437 2,282 1,949 2,139
This shows that 63.72% of the above crops are on ‘owned’ land and that 29.82% are
grown on tenanted land.
63.72% 29.82% 1.99% 1.45% 1.51%
The VSO survey data show the percentages of crops grown by those that have some
form of land tenure. The 10.48% figure for upland rice is significant, as most of this
Agriculture
8
is grown in the lowland areas. Lowland farmers have realised that the upland rice
varieties [mostly native] are more tolerant of the acid soil conditions in the lower
areas and plant these, instead of the traditional delta varieties.
Further analysis of the NSO statistics shows the ‘Assets’ owned compared to the
‘Plot Size’ of farmers. The following table shows the results of this analysis:
Food Livestock Specialist Fruit & Land

Plot Size (h) Crops & Poultry Cultures Equipment Other Trees Area (h)
0 to 0.499 0.94% 5.80% 9.83% 5.36% 0.72% 0.57%
0.50 to 0.999 2.02% 2.37% 4.39% 6.63% 1.73% 1.46%
1.0 to 1.999 8.91% 49.67% 19.46% 20.07% 10.50% 8.35%
2.0 to 2.999 10.38% 7.27% 10.88% 16.56% 11.56% 11.20%
3.0 to 4.999 21.14% 6.93% 30.13% 21.20% 21.27% 20.54%
5.0 to 7.000 19.06% 21.70% 8.16% 14.14% 17.36% 19.66%
7.001 to 9,999 15.05% 2.53% 5.44% 7.47% 12.50% 12.68%
10.0 to 24.999 19.68% 3.40% 9.21% 7.82% 20.09% 21.04%
25.0 plus 2.88% 0.34% 2.51% 0.77% 4.27% 4.49%
The right-hand column shows the percentage of land used within a given plot size
range (example: 1.46% of the land use is in the 0.50 to 0.999 hectare plot size
range). The other columns show the percentages of ‘Assets’ owned and these can be
compared and cross-indexed. From this data an analysis of the abaca strippers,
compared to the number of plants on a given plot size, reveals the following:
Abaca Abaca
The NSO determined that the province had Plot Size (h) Strippers Plants (prod)
1,812 abaca strippers ‘owned’ in 2002. The 0 to 0.499 4.64% 1.22%
analysis shows that there are more 0.50 to 0.999 6.29% 2.99%
strippers than required on the small plots
1.0 to 1.999 21.14% 10.04%
and that, on the larger plot sizes, there are
2.0 to 2.999 19.70% 11.60%
insufficient strippers. Only the figures for
3.0 to 4.999 19.92% 18.57%
owned strippers are used, to avoid
5.0 to 7.000 16.28% 17.28%
duplication.
7.001 to 9,999 4.14% 12.40%
10.0 to 24.999 7.01% 21.44%
25.0 plus 0.88% 4.47%
Overall, an analysis of the ‘assets’ to ‘plot size’ supports the view that the small
farmers ‘own’ a higher percentage of assets, compared with the farmers working
larger plot sizes. There might be various reasons why the larger plot farmers have
Agriculture
9
less assets; a further study would be required to determine whether or not these
farmers use all of their land resources.
Assets Percentage Land Percentage Farmed Plot Size to Assets Comparison

25%
20.54% 21.04%
19.68% 19.66%
20% 17.81% 18.08%
14.96%
15% 12.68%
11.15% 11.20% 11.34%
10% 8.35%
4.49%
5% 3.78%
1.35% 1.87%
1.46%
0.57%
0%
0 to 0.5 0.5 to 1.0 to 2.0 to 3.0 to 5.0 to 7.0 7.001 to 10.0 to 25.0 plus
0.999 1.999 2.999 4.999 9.999 24.999
Plot size: Percentage of land Percentage of assets:

0 to 0.499 h 0.57% 1.35%
0.50 to 0.999 h 1.46% 1.87%
1.0 to 1.999 h 8.35% 14.96%
2.0 to 2.999 h 11.20% 11.15%
3.0 to 4.999 h 20.54% 19.68%
5.0 to 7.0 h 19.66% 17.81%
7.001 to 9.999 h 12.68% 11.34%
10.0 to 24.999 h 21.05% 18.06%
25.0 plus h 4.49% 3.78%
Total: 100.00% 100.00%
Debates will abound regarding the accuracy of these statistics, but they tend to
show that the small farmers have assets commensurate with their plot sizes and
that the larger farms show the reverse. It is speculated that larger farms are used
for copra production, which have fewer requirements for equipment or livestock.
Agriculture
10
Main Crop Production (Owned, Leased / Tenanted Tenure) by % 2003
100%
91.13%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
41.13%
40% 32.26%
30%
20%
10.48%
7.26%
10% 4.03%
0.81%
0%
White Yellow Irrigated Rainfed Upland Root crops Coconut
corn corn Rice Rice Rice
The adjoining table shows the NSO crop Crop: NSO:

percentages of farmers with some form of land Palay 18.42%
tenure. These figures are at variance with VSO Corn 0.03%
data, possibly because the NSO takes into Root crops 0.61%
account the land used in ‘rent free’ and ‘other’ Vegetables 0.03%
tenure forms, whereas the VSO survey does not Citrus 3.36%
take these into account. The rent-free tenure Banana 7.54%
category may include many small farmers that Mango 1.20%
live on coconut lands free of charge in exchange Coconut 65.56%
for harvesting and processing of the coconuts. Coffee 0.03%
This system is well known to exist but there is Pineapple 0.27%
very limited documentation regarding this. Fibre crops 1.44%
Agriculture
11
Overall Comparison Farmers & Land Area (H) to Size of Plot (H)
50% 46.78%
45% Number of Farms Land Area (H)
40%
35%
27.40% 26.82%
30% 26.19% 25.07%
25%
20% 16.18%
12.34% 12.52%
15%
10% 5.73%
5% 0.95%
0%
3.0 to 4.9 5.0 to 7.0 7.1 to 9.9 10.0 to 24.9 25.0 plus
1991-2002 Crop Production Increases / Decreases Comparison
Coconut Abaca Banana Palay Root crops Corn

1.00% 0. 79%
0. 54%
0.34%
0.50%
0. 47%
0. 07%
0. 01 %
0.00%
-0.50% -0.22% -0.20% -0.15%
-0.46%
-1.00% All Philippines N Samar -0.77%
-1.50%
-2.00% -1 . 87%
-2.50%
Marketing:
In many countries, farmers have become vendors; they market their own produce
and gain extra income by selling direct to the public. There seems to be very little
of this in the Philippines. A few farmer-traders in Northern Samar have regular
customers for their produce. Some also have the opportunity to sell small or large
amounts of produce directly to the provincial government.
In Catarman market, there are three farmer’s stalls selling produce directly to the
public. However, their range is limited, with mostly the tomatoes, pechay, okra and
chilli peppers being sold, in addition to a few imported vegetables.
Agriculture
12
[A farmer’s vegetable stall in the market]
Lack of co-operation and planning amongst the farmers’ groups holds them back
from developing their direct market. Most of these groups exist in name only; they
rarely meet and have few if any communal projects within the barangay.
It is also clear that the level of support from the municipal and provincial
agricultural offices is insufficient. This is partly because some municipality
agricultural offices get little financial support. Thus, agricultural activities are
promoted near the paved roads, even while the main agricultural food producers are
located ‘off’ road.
Overall, poor soil and land management, agricultural offices’ autonomy, the failure of
landowners and tenants to invest, and the mainly unsuitable soil for agricultural
production, hinder food and non-food crop production in the province. Agricultural
development here is mostly casual; professionals in the LGUs and NGOs have so far
failed to promote investment and technical advancement.
There is a need for the university and the provincial government to undertake a soil
mapping survey. From the results of this, professional agricultural planners can draw
up long-term development plans for the province, be they for food or non-food
production.
Agriculture
13
Livestock
There is very little official data available regarding livestock in the province and any
information available is likely to be underestimated.
The VSO 2003 survey employed a representative sampling of household livestock
assets and is reasonably accurate for detail, although the ‘sampling’ area was small.
The NSO 2002 survey shows the provincial statistics in comparison with 1991. It
shows dramatic changes in the numbers of provincial herd and flock.
There are livestock slaughter statistics available from the municipal abattoirs, and,
although these give the ‘official’ slaughter statistics, it must be noted that there
are many livestock slaughtered in the barangays for normal or special occasions that
are not been accounted for.
Typical
native pigs
kept in the
backyards
of
Northern
Samar
What is very clear, from all information sources, is that swine numbers are
decreasing at a very high rate. From this, it can be assumed that the provincial
swine breeding females are being depleted to the point when supplies can no longer
meet the needs of the terminal [table] market. The provincial population is already
reducing its intake of pork meat, replacing this with poultry. However, this forced
reduction of pork in favour of poultry may have health benefits.
The NSO 2002 census shows the changes 1991 2002

since the 1991 census, especially the Carabao 31,027 62,036
decreases of swine, goats and ducks. Cattle 1,878 3,058
The 99.94% increase in carabao numbers is Horses 168 217
encouraging for farmers reliant on animal Swine 64,034 62,690
draft power. Carabao beef is also favoured Goats 4,912 2,814
over cattle beef as food. However, the Chicken 269,421 1,020,441
provincial government is trying to reduce Ducks 11,762 6,689
the number of breeding females that are Turkey 1,389 0
slaughtered.
Livestock
1
Backyard swine keeping has been the strength of the pig meat industry for many
years, and the rising prices of commercial feeds, due to the domino effect of
increased fuel prices, will cause a further decline in the overall numbers. The home-
based production of swine feeds should be developed. Field trials show that, with
some additions, quality swine feeds can be made from local resources for fattening
and breeding animals.
There should be some concern about the availability of animal protein foods that are
affordable to low-income families, since this has consequences on family nutrition
and health. Humans need animal protein and, although a diet that contains mostly
Livestock
2
vegetables is satisfactory, the loss of meat proteins can cause consequential health
problems. In a province that imports 75% of its meats and nearly 80% of its fish,
action should be taken to better ensure the availability of low cost meat and fish
proteins.
It is probable that a large increase in freshwater farming of tilapia or carp would
make a significant contribution to filling meat protein requirements. Likewise, dried
fish or duck meat are excellent sources of the proteins, vitamins and minerals
required by humans.
[A 2-kilogram tilapia ready for the cooking pot]
Livestock
3
70000
64,03462,690
62,036 NSO 2002 Livestock Census Compared to 1991
60000
1991 2002
50000
40000
31,027
30000
20000
10000
4,912
1,878 3,058 2,814
168 217
0
Carabao Cattle Horses Hogs Goats
Together with the fluctuations in livestock numbers, there have been significant
changes in the farmgate, and thus market, prices of all ‘terminal’ livestock.
Farmgate Prices: 2 year Increase
2003 2005 2003-05
Carabao 42.43 49.39 16.40%
Cattle 51.62 65.36 26.62%
Hog 50.57 73.26 44.87%
Goat 58.25 64.57 10.85%
Chicken 59.38 77.22 30.04%

Duck 61.35 57.43 -6.39%
Chicken eggs 66.57 72.87 9.46%
Duck eggs 44.85 52.80 17.73%
Only duck meat has shown a decline in farmgate prices over the 2003-2005 period.
Together with the decrease in the number of ducks, it can be safely assumed that
duck meat is not the food of choice. However, duck consumption may increase with
an increase in poverty levels.
Chicken is one of the staple village meat sources, and the 30% farmgate price
increase the 278% increase in chicken numbers reflects the insufficiency of supply
to meet the demand.
It is speculated that all marketers capitalise on the high demand to inflate the
costs further. There is a large disparity between most recent farmgate price of
Livestock
4
P77.22 per kilogram and the general Catarman ‘wet market’ price of P120 per
kilogram. This is a 55.4% mark-up that suggests profiteering.
The VSO data looks at the number, and thus percentages, of female livestock and
poultry, as this gives a good indication of the reliance on additional household
livelihoods that supplement the usual monthly, earned income.
VSO Survey 2003

Female Livestock Owned
Carabao Cattle Goat Swine Poultry Duck
Coastal 11.47% 3.27% 0.87% 27.13% 46.64% 0.87%
Inland Delta 53.82% 0.00% 0.00% 21.09% 76.91% 8.00%
Upland 29.36% 2.27% 4.00% 28.00% 70.36% 6.27%
Overall 31.55% 1.85% 1.62% 25.41% 64.64% 5.05%
As expected, the inland delta barangays have the highest

percentage of female carabao, together with poultry and ducks.
Duck-raising compliments rice production as it reduces the
number of destructive ‘Golden’ snails in the waterlogged rice
fields.
Although 36% of coastal households have some form of land tenure, overall they
have only 23% of the livestock and poultry. However, a direct comparison shows
that, in relation to land tenure, the coastal barangays have a higher percentage of
livestock than the other barangay types. This probably reflects the need of coastal
households to have other income sources during typhoon season, when fishing is not
possible.
VSO Survey 2003 land tenure / Livestock & Poultry comparison:

Barangay Land Tenure Livestock / Poultry
Coastal 36.61% 23.12%
Inland delta 82.98% 40.94%
Upland 93.62% 35.94%
Average 60.19% 33.33%
Livestock
5
90% Coastal Inland Delta Upland Average Household Livestock Ow ned
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Carabao Cattle Goat Sw ine Poultry Duck
90% Carabao Cattle Goat Average Household Livestock Owned

Swine Poultry Duck
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Of the households surveyed, only 16.5% had piglets for fattening, the high cost of
commercial feeds being cited as a restriction to pig fattening. This may be the
overriding factor behind the reduction in the provincial swineherd. However, the
poor husbandry skills and casual tending approach of backyard producers will likely
cause the industry to decline further.
Livestock
6
Province Population % Swine %
Northern Samar 13.87% 14.89%
Eastern Samar 10.41% 6.85%
Western Samar 17.76% 13.67%
Leyte 44.10% 50.30%
Southern Leyte 9.98% 10.39%
Biliran 3.89% 3.90%
In comparison to the rest of the regional population, only Northern Samar, Leyte
and Southern Leyte have high ratios of swine to population.
According to the NSO census, overall there were 503,370 swine in 1991 and only
420,975 in 2002. The decrease of 82,395 heads or 16.37% is disparate with the
population increase of 18.20%.
The provincial government plans to disperse yet more cattle and swine; it is hoped
that these dispersals will continue in order to increase the provincial herd. Also,
since the veterinary support services are currently inadequate, there is scope for
the NGOs to support barangay livestock workers.
Livestock
7
East Eastern Northern Southern Biliran
Visayas Samar Samar Samar Leyte & Leyte
1991 756,342 60,097 102,019 78,632 111,002 404,594
2002 713,151 51,505 130,815 77,886 63,367 389,578
-43,191 -8,592 28,796 -746 -47,635 -15,016
As the table above shows, only in Northern Samar has the provincial livestock herd
increased. This reflects a healthy response to the decline in temporary crop
production; statistics show the increases in livestock corresponding with an
increased percentage of permanent grazing areas. It is noted that these are not the
products of the formal establishment of grazing areas, as such, but of allowing
grasses and weeds to grow in areas where cropping has been abandoned.
With support, the province of Northern Samar could supply the region with quality
breeding and terminal livestock, with the establishment of ‘ranch style’ grazing
areas. The municipality of San Roque has a fine example of this type of ranch
farming, utilising the coconut plantation land. An integrated livestock and coconut
farming system improves the coconut yield and keeps the undergrowth tamed. It
also reduces pests and makes coconut harvesting easier. Similar integrated projects
in Mindanao showed that, within 3 years, an increase of 5% in coconut yield weights
can be achieved, and, within 5 years, a 15% increase. This surely must be worth
considering to Northern Samar, with its heavy reliance on copra for income.
Dogs and Cats:
The VSO survey showed that 55.34% had dogs and 57.28% cats. Since dogs and cats
are host to many intestinal parasites that can affect humans and other animals,
their numbers are a good means to judge the potential worm burden of the humans
and animals. There were, in 2005, 108,161 households, with 59,000 households
having dogs; most of these have two dogs or more. This gives a minimum of 108,000
dogs as potential hosts to a massive worm infestation and rabies infections.
However, the incidences of annual rabies infections are insignificant; the more
pressing concern is the breaking of the worm cycle between man and beast.
Other:
There are also some fine horses and ponies in the province, used for transporting
goods from the upland barangays. It is not known if horse fighting is present in the
province.
Despite the census figures, turkeys can be found in the province. Turkey-raising
should be encouraged, as should duck-raising, in order to add to the province’s low-
cost meat based protein sources. Ducks will also help reduce pests in the palay
fields. Since both are scavengers, sufficient clean feed would be beneficial to
quality. It was noted, however, that no turkeys are sold in the markets. Also, the
tradition of duck-eating in the Philippines goes back many centuries and yet ducks
are few nowadays.
Livestock
8
Overall, given adequate financial and technical support, this province could become a
major supplier of quality meat to the metro-urban areas of the Philippines. The
province has little taste for goat meat, unlike some other areas, but goat-raising can
be an excellent additional livelihood source when integrated with the keeping of
other livestock for agricultural activities. In some Asian countries, goats are known
as the poor mans bank, since kids can be bought cheaply and later sold to the meat
market in times of household financial stress. There is also scope for the
development of more commercial table meat and egg poultry products to supply the
province, since, at present, 80% of eggs and 75% of table poultry are being
imported.
The municipal governments publish market prices that should be followed by the
market vendors, to ensure affordability. However, vendors in Catarman and the
other markets constantly ignore these ordinances, profiteering without constraint.
Also, many vendors make adjustments to their weigh scales to cheat customers. The
DTI’s occasional raids at Catarman market have revealed [and confiscated] scales
that under weigh by as much as ¼ kilogram. The municipal executives should
systematically respond to this problem.
Livestock
9
The Marine sector
Of all of the marine sanctuaries and protected areas depicted on maps, very little
marine data is available for use and analysis. It is possible to list the species caught
in the provincial waters, but this is dependent on ‘local’ knowledge and limited
research carried out by the science department of the University of Eastern
Philippines (UEP). In provincial databases or other local sources, there is scant
information or statistics regarding the marine sector. Current documentation is
thus unable to provide comparative production statistics, as is possible with
agriculture.
Percentage of Coastal Barangay Households Dependent on Fishing
100%
91.30%
90%
76.19%
80%
69.64%
70%
60.00% 60.00% 61.11%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Research at barangay level shows that, on average, the monthly household income of
a coastal family is P3205.36, although this is not solely gotten from fishing. The
table below shows that 75.10% earn between P1000 and P4000 per month, inclusive
of income from other activities such as farming, copra production and small
business.
Monthly Income
Working wives provide on average of P611.80
P 1000 - 2000 11.61%
monthly, and P90.62 (average) per month comes
P 2000 - 3000 30.36%
from external sources, such as family members
P 3000 – 4000 33.04% working outside of the province. Therefore,
P 4000 – 5000 5.36% P2502.94 is the average income earned by the
P 5000 – 6000 7.14% main breadwinner.
P 6000 – 7000 6.25%
The table below shows that the majority of
P 7000 – 8000 2.68%
fishermen use spears or hooks and lines for
P 8000 – 9000 0.89%
fishing. Field surveys show that many of those
P 9000 – 10000 0.00% that use spears or hooks & lines do not have boats
P10000 – 11000 1.79% and are mainly older and young community
P11000 – 12000 0.00% members who fish from the beach or reefs.
P 12000 & Over 0.89%
Average P3205.36
Marine
1
35% 33.04%
30.36% Coastal Barangay Average Monthly Household Income by % 2003
30%
25%
20%
15% 11.61%
10% 7.14% 6.25%

5.36%
5% 2.68% 1.79%
0.89% 0.00% 0.00% 0.89%
0%
P 1000 P 2000 P 3000 P 4000 P 5000 P 6000 P 7000 P 8000 P 9000 P 10000 P 11000 P 12000
Coastal Barangay's Average Monthly Household Income (Peso)

3,900
3,783
3,700
3,556
3,500
3,300
3,205.36
3,100
3,000 3,000
2,900
2,762
2,700
2,500
The data on tenure of boats show Net 14.1%

that 74.36% of fishers own their Spear or Hook 83.3%
boats, and that 40.32% of these
Cages 2.6%
boats have engines. 17.95% of
those involved with fishing (and
this is 4.15% of the fishing
population over the age of eighteen
Boat Tenure Boat Type
years) have no boats of their own
Owns 93.55% Pump 40.32%
and act only as labourers on boats.
Shares 4.84% Paddle 59.68%
Hires 1.61%
Labourer
only 17.95%
Marine
2
In the graph below showing boat conditions, the figure of 11.29% of boats requiring
repairs is worrying, as the waters can be unpredictable and fishermen place
themselves at risk by using them.
60%
Condition of Boats by % 2003
51.61%
50%
40%
30.65%
30%
20%
11.29%
10% 6.45%
0%
Good Average Poor Needs repair
The graph below depicts the main type of fishing gear used by small fishermen. The
predominance of spear fishing shows that dependence on fish stocks from the reefs
is very high; failure to conserve some of these areas will have a long-term affect on
the inshore fishing industry. It has already been noted by marine biologists that
more brood female and dominant male fish are now being caught, causing concern
over not only the quantity of fish, but also the quality of the genetic strains.
Marine
3
90% 83.3%
Type of Fishing Gear by % 2003
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20% 14.1%
10%
2.6%
0%
Net & Hook Spear Cages
Hirapsan
Islands Caohagan
Island
The province, as can be seen from the map above, has high potential for preserving
fish spawning areas in both the east and west. The two major spawning areas are
centred in the vicinity of Biri, Lavezares and Rosario in the west, and Laoang and
Palapag in the east. The small islands of Hirapsan in Mondragon and Caohagan in
Pambujan are both important as potential preserves for both spawning and
migratory fish. Ordinances guarding these sanctuaries exist, but actual
implementation, by LGUs and NGOs alike, has lagged behind.
The following two photographs show the abandoned patrol boat, lying beached at
Dona Lucia, Mondragon. The wooden hull, although lined with fibreglass started to
leak shortly after purchase and was never repaired.
Marine
4
In the area of San Jose, the NGO Tambuyog has established a working sanctuary
where fish stocks are recovering. Some of the larger islands have set up small
sanctuaries and also planted seaweeds for the production of gelatine, and it is hoped
that these will flourish. The crab industry, long abused by the illegal harvesting of
undersized crablets, may now have been set on the road to recovery.
The NGO ACE, the Bureau of Aquatic and Fisheries Resources [BFAR] and the
provincial government promoted the forming of the Provincial Mudcrab Development
Council. Shortly afterwards, they were joined by PACAP in providing resources
through its Mudcrab FOCAS Project. It is sincerely hoped that these bodies can act
to stop or reduce the incidences of illegal crablet harvesting and promote the
potentially valuable industry of crab fattening in the province. With Northern
Samar’s important supply of mudcrabs, it should be possible to eventually realize the
P2 Billion potential income for the province’s fishermen.
The province’s dominance in the squid industry for exports to the major metro areas
and the orient; further point to the high potential of the local fishing industry.
Marine
5
The tuna fish industry is not a major industry in this province, although the eastern
municipality of Palapag has a long tradition of catching and processing this fish.
Mayor Ricardo Daiz wishes to maximise this tradition for additional income by
improving his municipality’s processing and cold storage capabilities to cater to this
important industry.
This map shows the general route of the

Yellow Fin Tuna fish’s migration.
Municipalities on the eastern seaboard
take advantage of this seasonal
migration, when the tuna are 2 to 3
kilograms in weight, to the eastern
seaboard area of Mindanao, from whence
they travel through to General Santos
and beyond.
Onwards to Mindanao
Marine
6
Many of Palapag’s fishermen take advantage of the abundance of the tuna fish, yet
the facilities for processing the tuna are insufficient to keep up with the supply.
The people of Palapag need more support to process and preserve this important
food.
The Department of Agriculture’s quarterly figures on production and prices include
reports on the ‘broad’ marine sector. The reports referred to here refer to East
Visayas, as no separate report is available by province.
Comparative DA reports show that production, in tonnage, has increased, although
production percentage increases during the first quarter of 2004-05 are less than
those for the same period of 2003-04.
FISH PRODUCTION:
THOUSAND METRIC TONNES ANNUAL INCREASES
2004 2004 2005 2003-04 2004-05
Commercial 253.88 273.49 282.09 +7.72% +3.14%
Municipal 260.45 276.02 279.75 +5.98% +1.35%
Aquaculture 302.13 424.50 466.44 +40.50% +9.88%
Overall: +18.07% +4.79%
National Fish Production - 1000 Metric tonnes
Commercial Municipal Aquaculture

500 466
450 425
400
350
302
300 273 276 282 280
254 260
250
200
150
100
50
0
2003 2004 2005
Marine
7
The pricing shows small increases overall, although these are balanced by price
reductions in the aquaculture sector in 2003-04 and in the commercial sector in
2004-05.
FISH PRODUCTION: PRICING
PESO PER KILOGRAM ANNUAL INCREASES
2004 2004 2005 2003-04 2004-05
Commercial 38.47 42.28 39.28 +9.90% -7.10%
Municipal 38.65 41.81 45.01 +8.18% +7.65%
Aquaculture 29.10 25.39 25.57 -12.75% +0.71%
Overall: +1.78% +0.42%
National Fresh Fish prices - Peso per Kilogram

Commercial Municipal Aquaculture
50
45.01
45 42.28 41.81
38.4738.65 39.28
40
35
29.10
30
25.39 25.57
25
20
2003 2004 2005
The tables and graphs above may have little relevance for Northern Samar, where
fishing is reliant on seasonal factors. Analysis also shows that the province has to
import most of its fish from Calbuyog in Western Samar. The graph below gives a
direct comparison between the production and prices.
Marine
8
Fish Production & Prices Comparison
Commercial Production Municipal Production

Aquaculture Production Commercial Prices
Municipal Prices Aquaculture Prices
500 466 50.00

450 425 45.00
400 40.00
350 35.00
302
300 273 276 282 280 30.00
254 260
250 25.00
200 20.00
150 15.00
100 10.00
50 5.00
0 0.00
2003 2004 2005
It would seem that the price structure is maintained within the P25 to P45 range,
with only aquaculture production showing any significant increases.
Fishermen with the larger boats scavenge the seas, and are often out at sea for
several days at a time. They cover vast areas, from Eastern Samar to beyond Leyte,
often more than 150 kilometres from land. They do not always bring their catch
back to shore, as Chinese and Japanese ships often buy their catch to bring back to
their lands.
Marine
9
Most diets of coastal families in the province comprise of small fresh or dried fish.
It is not unusual to see nets, covered with small fish, strung across the beaches and
along the roadsides by coastal barangay housewives, either for storing or selling.
This is an example of a home

made compressor used for
deepwater spear fishing amongst
the reefs. Fishermen go down
the water many metres beyond
what is normally accepted as
‘safe’. They also stay
underwater without wetsuits for
longer times than many western
divers would dare to.
In Pambujan [pronounced ‘Pambuhan’], where VSO volunteer Steve

Fennelly [a marine biologist] works with the fishing groups, progress
has been made not only to improve fishing methods, but also gain the
interest and support of the fishermen in keeping a record of the
species and numbers of fish caught. Very little hard data is available
and it is hoped that, when complete, the database will act as a good
guide for other areas. The many local names for fish species has
added to both the fun and the difficulty of logging the species.
Amongst the barangay folk, as many as 20 or more local names are known for the
same fish.
The fishermen of
Pambujan display and
weigh their fish for
classification and
inclusion into the
database.
Marine
10
[One of the unusual catches from the waters off Pambujan]
[Stocking the crab farm with the crablets in Pambujan]
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources [BFAR]

Despite the lack of staff, the efforts of BFAR, with both marine and freshwater
species, have had an effect on the province. It runs its own hatcheries, one of
which [Tilapia] is based near to the university in Barangay Cawayan, Catarman.
There, farmers learn the rudiments of tilapia farming and are supplied with 500
fingerlings and equipment.
There are other hatcheries throughout the province’s municipalities and it is hoped
that, in time, more inland farmers will take to tilapia fish farming on small plots to
add to the supplies of low-cost protein foods.
Marine
11
The other fish farm, this time for Bangus, is at Lavezares, where many hectares of
fishponds produce the fingerlings and where many training sessions are given. The
Lavezares fish farm boasts a pair of visiting Philippine Eagles that are allowed to
catch fish once or twice a day.
Marine
12
Some of the municipalities have attempted
to re-establish the mangroves damaged by
storms, fishing boats or the crablet
harvesters. These pictures show the
average result, with about 20% success
rate.
The NGO ACE is attempting to help re-
establish the mangrove areas in the
riverine area between Laoang and Palapag,
to help increase the habitat of the
mudcrab that is an important asset for
these municipalities.
It hopes, in time, to replace more
mangrove areas with the support of the
fishermen and crab harvesters.
Some of the municipalities have attempted

to re-establish the mangroves damaged by
storms, fishing boats or the crablet
harvesters. These pictures show the
average result, with about 20% success
rate.
The NGO ACE is attempting to help re-
establish the mangrove areas in the
riverine area between Laoang and Palapag,
to help increase the habitat of the
mudcrab that is an important asset for
these municipalities.
It hopes, in time, to replace more
mangrove areas with the support of the
fishermen and crab harvesters.
Marine
13
Marine
14
TheA mature mangrove from barangay Cawayan through UEP swamp abounds with
species and is strongly protected, although a few wood gatherers sometimes sneak
in to cut the slender branches for use in baker’s ovens. The bark is used to flavour
the coconut alcohol known as ‘Tuba’.
In the distance in the photograph above, the island of Hirapsan sits atop a major
reef structure, where some rare species such as ‘Giant Clams’ can be found, although
their exact location is a closely guarded secret.
Overall, it is likely that it will be many years before concrete improvements are seen
in the province’s marine sector. Yet with the activities being undertaken now, both
by individual municipalities and NGOs, there is very high potential for the marine
sector. There is great need to ensure that individual municipality’s ordinances are
enforced and that the provincial government joins this drive by enacting a provincial
ordinance. The squabbles between municipal offices over jurisdiction over the
coastal areas, does more harm than good by restricting integrated development.
In the meantime, the locals will continue to fish for the table, oblivious of the
struggles of the marine ‘industry’.
Marine
15
Although not a major contributor to improving short-term income from the marine
resources, the stabilisation of the municipal marine boundaries is very much needed.
The provincial government will support an endeavour such as this. At this time, only
Pambujan and San Roque are having any discussions about resolving their boundary
issues. It is probable that municipal executives see little value in investing time and
money in an attempt to solve these issues. However, very little control over the
depleting marine resources can be achieved until these issues are resolved. The
lessons of Lanuza Bay in Surigao del Sur would be well applied here, where seven
municipalities agreed and participated in a marine project, supported by strong
ordinances.
Marine
16
The Climate:
Foreigners often wonder about the large number of ‘waiting sheds’ along the
roadsides, until the rains begin. Weather affects daily life, and knowing the seasonal
changes is important for development planning and intervention.
Farmers and fisher folk are familiar with seasonal changes and are able to predict
livelihood fluctuations. Fisher folk know that during the period September through
January, many days at sea may be lost because of turbulent waves and heavy
weather. Farmers know that it is important to commence land preparation well
before the onset of the heavy rains in September.
For the health workers, if analysed correctly, weather patterns can help predict the
outbreak of seasonal illnesses so that remedies can be planned. This is also true for
livestock veterinarians. This is especially so when the seasons are in flux and
changeable.
[Many thanks are offered to the staff of the Catarman Weather Station for
the time given to access the records, in order to compile this section.]
The climate is typical of sub-tropical areas, with distinguishable wet and dry seasons
that generally coincide with the China Sea’s monsoon seasons. Northern Samar
experiences its wettest months between October and February, with November and
December providing more than 500 millimetres per month. Rain volume is around
3,243 millimetres each year, although this can vary between 4,600 and 2,100
millimetres.
600
Catarman Weather Station - Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) (1961 - 2001)
539.7
550
507.6
500
450 425.4
400
350 324.5
300
250 231.3
213.3
193.7 201.6
183.8
200
148.9
134.8 138.7
150
100
Jan. Feb. Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Climate
1
Northern Samar Rainfall (mm) Pattern to NE wind direction
140
NE wind Rainfall Poly. (Rainfall) Poly. (NE wind)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
From the graph above, it can be seen that the rainfall generally follows the direction
of the northeast wind. But the following graph shows that, during the drier period
between April and September, the south and southwest winds predominate.
Northern Samar - Average Wind Direction (at 5 m by percentage of activity)
110
Rainfall
90 S wind
SW wind
70
50
30
10
-10 Jan. Feb. Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
The graphs above depict the main wind directions, although the following chart
shows the full extent of the wind direction and rainfall pattern.
Climate
2
Catarman Weather Station - Wind Direction (at 5 m by percentage of activity)
Rainfall N wind S wind

SW wind SE wind 2 per. Mov. Avg. (Rainfall)
2 per. Mov. Avg. (SW wind) 2 per. Mov. Avg. (N wind) 2 per. Mov. Avg. (S wind)
100
80
60
40
20
0
The temperature of the province varies between a high of 32.6OC and a low of
21.9OC. The hottest months are May through September and the coldest, January
through March.
33
32.6
33
32
32
31
31
30
30
Catarman Weather Station -Average Monthly Maximum Temperature (oC)
29 28.7
29
28
Climate
3
24.0
23.7
23.5
23.0
22.5
Catarman Weather Station -Average Monthly Minimum Temperature (o C)
22.0
21.9
21.5
The following graph shows the mean [average] temperature range of the province,
with an average temperature of 26.9OC
28.5
28.1
28.0
27.5
27.0
26.5
Catarman Weather Station Mean Average Temperature (oC) 1961 to 2001
26.0
25.4
25.5
25.0
The average temperature has increased from 26.0OC to 27.4OC since 1963. While
this falls within the sphere of the global warming pattern, the deforestation of the
province [at 7.99% per annum, SIBP report] may have exacerbated the local
situation.
Climate
4
3.5
Catarman Weather Station Average Wind Speed (mps) 1961 to 1994

3.1
3.0 2.9
2.7
2.4 2.4
2.5
2.0 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8

1.7 1.6
1.6
1.5
1.0
The chart above shows the average wind speeds, recorded at 5 metres above sea
level. It shows an average speed of 7.7 kilometres per hour, which is insufficient to
produce energy from turbines, for which an average wind speed of 12 kilometres per
hour is required.
89
Catarman Weather Station Average Relative Humidity 1961 to 1995
88.3
88 87.9
87
86.3
86 86.1
85.2
85
84.3 84.3
84 84.1
83.8
83.3
83 82.9
82 82.1
81
In general, the average humidity has risen by 2 points since 1961, but has fluctuated
wildly.
Climate
5
16
14 14.0
13.1
12
10.5
10 10.2
9.4
8
8.1
6 5.7
4.4
4
Catarman Weather Station Average Thunder Storms 1961 to 1995
2 2.1
0.5 1.3
0.4
0
The chart above plots the average storms throughout the year. The majority of
storms occur during the driest part of the year, May through September, with May
as the peak month. It will be noticed that the storms die down during the wettest
part of the year.
60
Rainfall Storms
50
40
30
20
10
0
Climate
6
Storms Humidity Storms and Humidity Comparison
16.0 89.0
88.0
14.0
87.0
12.0 86.0
10.0 85.0
84.0
8.0
83.0
6.0 82.0
4.0 81.0
80.0
2.0
79.0
0.0 78.0
The graph above plots the storm incidences against the humidity levels. It shows
that during the driest part of the year, when the humidity is low, storm incidences
increase.
The following chart shows a comparison between the storm incidences and the NE
wind. It would seem that the storms increase during the period prior to the
dominance of the northeast wind.
Storms NE wind Storm Incidences Compared to SW Wind Direction

16.0 90
14.0 80
70
12.0
60
10.0 50
8.0 40
6.0 30
20
4.0
10
2.0 0
0.0 -10
Jan. Feb. Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Climate
7
Northern Saman Maximum Temperature Patter over 10 year periods
31.6
31.4
31.4
31.2
31.0
30.8
30.6 30.7
30.5
30.4
1961/1970 1971/1980 1981/1990
Northern Samar Minimum Temperature Pattern over 10 year periods
23.3
23.2
23.2
23.1
23.0
22.9
22.8 22.8
22.7
22.6
22.5 22.5
22.4
1961/1970 1971/1980 1981/1990
Northern Samar Mean Temperature (oC) Increase over 10 year periods
27.5
27.3
27.0
26.8
26.5
26.5
26.0
1961/1970 1971/1980 1981/1990
Climate
8
Northern Samar Rainfall (mm) Pattern over 10 year periods
3650
3450 3558.3
3250
3263.2
3050
3099.2
2850
2862.3
2650
2450
2250
1961/1970 1971/1980 1981/1990 1991/1995
Northern Samar Humidity Pattern over 10 year periods

86.0
85.5 85.7
85.0 85.3
84.5
84.0
83.5 83.9
1961/1970 1971/1980 1981/1990
Northern Samar Wind Speed Pattern over 10 year periods
9.0
8.5
8.6
8.0
7.5
7.0
7.3 7.1
6.5
6.0
1961/1970 1971/1980 1981/1990
Climate
9
Overall, since 1980, the mean temperature has risen by 0.8oC , and rainfall has
increased by an average of 696 millimetres. Humidity has risen by 0.4 points and
wind speed has decreased by 0.4 kilometres per hour over a 10 year time period.
[Typical pre-storm scene in Northern Samar]

The chart below shows the market price of an ‘average’ basket of food [30 items]
against the rainfall pattern for the year. It shows that the costs of these foods
increase with the increase in rains. However, it also shows slight increases during
the drier season.
Catarman Market Survey Average Monthly Value of a 'Basket of Food' (1998 to 2004) Compared to
Average Monthly Rainfall data
4000
Av. Rainfall Market prices
3000
2000
1000
0
Market prices fluctuate with the weather pattern at various times. Freak storms
and typhoons can seriously damage cereal and fruit crops and this creates market
shortages.
Climate
10
Series1 Rainfall Trend Catarman Weather Station - Recorded Rainfall (mm)
400
Recorded Rainfall
350
300
250
200
150
Y1 1
Y1 2
Y1 3
Y1 4
Y1 5
Y1 6
Y1 7
Y1 8
Y1 9
Y1 0
Y1 1
Y1 2
Y1 3
Y1 4
Y1 5
Y1 6
Y1 7
Y1 8
Y1 9
Y1 0
Y1 1
Y1 2
Y1 3
Y1 4
Y1 5
Y1 6
Y1 7
Y1 8
Y1 9
Y1 0
Y1 1
Y1 2
Y1 3
Y1 4
5
96
96
96
96
96
96
96
96
96
97
97
97
97
97
97
97
97
97
97
98
98
98
98
98
98
98
98
98
98
99
99
99
99
99
99
Y1
As the graph above shows, trying to establish the rainfall pattern is difficult, although historically peaks and troughs can be
noticed. Peaks were experienced in 1964/5, 1971, 1976, 1985 and 1988/9, and troughs in 1968, 1973, 1979, 1987 and 1992,
which recorded the lowest amount of rain since records began in 1961.
Climate
11
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Y1
96
1
Y1
96
2
Y1
96
3
Y1
96
4
Y1
96
5
Y1
96
6
Y1
96
7
Y1
96
8
Y1
96
9
Y1
97
0
Y1
97
1
Y1
97
2
Y1
97
3
Y1
97
4
Y1
97
5
Y1
97
6
Y1
97
7
Y1
97
8
Y1
97
9
Y1
98
0
Y1
98
1
Y1
98
2
Y1
98
3
Y1
98
4
Y1
98
5
Y1
98
6
Y1
98
7
Y1
98
8
Y1
98
9
Y1
99
0
Catarman Weather Station - Maximum Temperature (oC) (1961 / 1995)
Y1
99
1
Y1
99
2
Y1
99
3
Y1
99
4
Y1
99
5
12
Climate
21.8
21.9
22.0
22.1
22.2
22.3
22.4
22.5
22.6
22.7
22.8
22.9
23.0
23.1
23.2
23.3
23.4
23.5
23.6
Y1961
Y1962
Y1963
Y1964
Y1965
Y1966
Y1967
Y1968
Y1969
Y1970
Y1971
Y1972
Y1973
Y1974
Y1975
Y1976
Y1977
Y1978
Y1979
Y1980
Y1981
Y1982
Y1983
Y1984
Y1985
Y1986
Y1987
Y1988
Y1989
Catarman Weather Station - Minimum Temperature (oC) (1961 / 1995)
Y1990
Y1991
Y1992
Y1993
Y1994
Y1995
13
Climate
Catarman Weather Station - Mean Average Temperature (o C) 1961 to 1995
28.0
27.5
27.0
26.5
26.0
25.5
Y 1961 Y 1962 Y 1963 Y 1964 Y 1965 Y 1966 Y 1967 Y 1968 Y 1969 Y 1970 Y 1971 Y 1972 Y 1973 Y 1974 Y 1975 Y 1976 Y 1977 Y 1978 Y 1979 Y 1980 Y 1981 Y 1982 Y 1983 Y 1984 Y 1985 Y 1986 Y 1987 Y 1988 Y 1989 Y 1990 Y 1991 Y 1992 Y 1993 Y 1994 Y 1995
Climate
14
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Y1
9 61
Y1
9 62
Y1
9 63
Y1
9 64
Y1
9 65
Y1
9 66
Y1
9 67
Y1
9 68
Y1
9 69
Y1
9 70
Y1
9 71
Y1
9 72
Y1
9 73
Y1
9 74
Y1
9 75
Y1
9 76
Y1
9 77
Y1
9 78
Y1
9 79
Y1
9 80
Y1
9 81
Y1
9 82
Y1
9 83
Y1
9 84
Y1
9 85
Y1
9 86
Y1
9 87
Y1
9 88
Y1
9
Catarman Weather Station - Average Thunder Storms 1961 to 1995
89
Y1
9 90
Y1
9 91
Y1
9 92
Y1
9 93
Y1
9 94
15
Climate
Catarman Weather Station - Average Relative Humidity 1961 to 1995
89
89
88
88
87
87
86
86
85
85
84
84
83
83
82
82
81
81
80
80
79
79
78
78
Y1961 Y1962 Y1963 Y1964 Y1965 Y1966 Y1967 Y1968 Y1969 Y1970 Y1971 Y1972 Y1973 Y1974 Y1975 Y1976 Y1977 Y1978 Y1979 Y1980 Y1981 Y1982 Y1983 Y1984 Y1985 Y1986 Y1987 Y1988 Y1989 Y1990 Y1991 Y1992 Y1993 Y1994 Y1995
Climate
16
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Y1
9 61
Y1
9 62
Y1
9 63
Y1
9 64
Y1
9 65
Y1
9 66
Y1
9 67
Y1
9 68
Y1
9 69
Y1
9 70
Y1
9 71
Y1
9 72
Y1
9 73
Y1
9 74
Y1
9 75
Y1
9 76
Y1
9 77
Y1
9 78
Y1
9 79
Y1
9 80
Y1
9 81
Y1
9 82
Y1
9 83
Y1
9 84
Y1
9 85
Y1
9 86
Y1
9 87
Y1
9 88
Catarman Weather Station - Average Wind Speed 1961 to 1994
Y1
9 89
Y1
9 90
Y1
9 91
Y1
9 92
Y1
9 93
Y1
9 94
17
Climate
Rainfall NE wind Rain Incidence to Wind Direction
600 120
500 100
400 80
300 60
200 40
100 20
0 0
This shows that there is most rain during the greatest presence of the Northeast wind.
Climate
18
The overall change in the provincial climate – with the rise in temperature, reduced
wind speed, increased humidity, yet decreased amount of rainfall and reduction in
the number of storms – may indicate a general change in the climate. There is some
indication that the climate is cyclical, although no definite pattern has emerged.
General global warming, together with local deforestation, may eventually result in
the persistence of this type of annual climate, without returning to the ‘normal’
cycle of weather patterns.
Spells of heavy rain, which can last for several days, can be followed by several days
of searing heat and bright sun, at times leading to the fast evaporation of the
groundwater and leaving crops wilting in the soil.
By far the biggest affect of the weather is on agriculture, fishing and the
construction industries that provide employment/livelihood to the low-income
households.
105%
Work
100% Opportunity
95% Trendline
90%
85%
Northern Samar
80%
70%
65%
The graph above shows the weather related ‘Work Opportunities’ experienced by
most of the manual labour force. This has a considerable affect on the incomes of
these families.
Climate
19
The Environment
In topographical terms, Northern Samar is mostly low lying, with its maximum
height rising to 580 meters [above sea level] in the municipality of San Isidro. Most
of the province has a height of below 100 metres. Northern Samar lies between
co-ordinates 124’07’20” to 125’20’18’ East and 12’43’0” and 12’12’0” North on the
international maps.
The six major rivers feed from the upland areas into the delta and coastal areas,
and, as can be seen from the graph below, most rain falls during the months
October, November, December and January.
Catarman Weather Station - Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) (1961 - 2001)
600
539.7
550 507.6
500
425.4
450
400
324.5
350
300
231.3
250 213.3 201.6
183.8 193.7
200 148.9
134.8 138.7
150
100
The Environment
1
Catarman Weather Station Mean Average Temperature (oC) 1961 to 2001
28.5
28.1
28.0
27.5
27.0
26.5
26.0
25.5 25.4
25.0
The temperature range of the province varies little, with the lowest at 25.4 in
January and highest in August at 28.1; these are the averages recorded at the
Catarman weather station. Many visitors during the drier periods suffer from the
heat, which is boosted by the drying winds from the Southwest. During rainy
times, the Northeast wind dominates, often bringing with it storms that can last
for a week, or the occasional typhoon. Although recent typhoons have not created
too much damage, many expect a major typhoon to rip through the province at any
time, causing major damage and flooding. The graph below shows the incidences of
storms, with most flash storms occurring during the drier periods of the year
when humidity is at its lowest.
Catarman Weather Station Average Thunder Storms 1961 to 1995
16
14 14.0
13.1
12
10.5
10 10.2
9.4
8 8.1
6 5.7
4.4
4
2 2.1
0.5 1.3
0.4
0
The Environment
2
The pictures below show the typical landscape of the province, with heavily reefed
coasts and low-lying land areas.
[Typical topography of Northern Samar]
The map above shows the areas where agriculture is restricted. It also shows the
areas where severe soil erosion has occurred and still occurs; this erosion has led
to severely silted rivers, and has reached and destroyed many of the reef areas.
The iron oxides washed down from the upland areas interact with the calcite
nature of the corals and kills them. The BFAR regional director is now lobbying for
soil erosion defence projects in the upland areas, to reduce the problems caused
to the coastline.
Many of the rivers can no longer be navigated easily, except by the very shallow
boats that can only be partially laden with goods or passengers. In many places,
during most of the year, less than 300mm of water is in the rivers, with very
narrow channels that only the small boats can navigate. During the periods of
heavy rain, many parts of the rivers become raging white waters that are un-
navigable, often leaving upland barangays isolated for days. With tracks that only
carabao or horses can manage, upland barangay life grinds to a halt.
The Environment
3
The main potable and irrigation groundwater sources of the province lie in the
delta and coastal areas, with the map above showing the sources above and below
the 20-metre ground level. The following map shows the main rivers feeding the
groundwater sources.
In the upland areas, householders rely on the many springs for potable water,
although many are now polluted. The municipal areas marked have limited
supplies of potable water, and suffer the health consequences related to this.
The Environment
4
The official agricultural land area is depicted on the following map, which also
shows the official forested area. Although parts of Lope de Vega, Mondragon,
Silvino Lobos and Las Navas have parts of their interior included in the ‘Samar
Island Nature Park’ [Depicted by the blue line on the map below], the province of
Northern Samar has very limited protected forests. The lack of protection may
account for the rapid decrease in the forested area at a rate of 7.9% per annum
[DENR figures].
The map above is of the Samar Island Bio-diversity Project and shows the
physical resources as of 2004. It shows the low level of forest cover in the
province and the need to reforest the main watershed and upland areas.
The following map shows the general areas of main agricultural production,
showing the main irrigated rice production areas in the central coastal and
riverine parts of the province. It should be noted that the island of Capul also has
a small irrigated rice area.
The Environment
5
In fact, most agricultural production is opportunistic, except for those in the
riverine areas. Many parts of the upland lands are utilised for agricultural
production, causing the breakdown in the environmental balance of these areas,
leading to further erosion, land slides and river and inshore marine pollution.
Many ordinances exist to reduce the riverside agricultural production of corn and
vegetables, but these are generally ignored and riverbank erosion continues to be
a major problem.
With all the efforts to take advantage of income generation opportunities, it is

the environment that may bear the consequences, as the farming and fishing
industries must produce more if this province is to have a reasonable chance of
becoming self-sufficient.
The Environment
6
From 1990 to 2002 an extra 27,339 hectares of land came into agricultural use
[an average of 2,278 hectares every year]. Using this average, by 2010, a further
18,226 hectares will have been converted to agriculture, whether the land is
suitable or not.
It is probable that abaca and coconut production will take a major slice of this
land; the production of other permanent crops will also likely increase. Most
suitable land for temporary crop production is already accounted for, although it
is expected that new land will be used once or twice for temporary cropping,
before shifting to permanent crops.
These steady encroachments onto non-agricultural land will create more fertility
decline and greater soil erosion, as the land available is sloping. Yet, there seems
to be thousands of hectares lying idle, where landowners have stopped investing
their money in agriculture. These abandoned hectares have mostly been ‘farmed
out’, with soils now too acid to grow rice. Rice seems to be more of a ‘cultural’ crop
than a serious agricultural crop, except in the main delta areas.
6,000
5,684
1960-2003 Northern Samar Area Private Forested - Hectares
5,000
4,000
3,000 2,983
2,477
2,000
1,000
625
0 179
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The graph above shows the Department of Agriculture’s figures regarding the
rapid decline of private forested areas.
The following graph shows the DENR census figures on the overall decline of the
natural forest of the province, showing an alarming annual decline of 7.9%. Eastern
Samar registers a little over 2% decline per annum; it is there that the risk to the
‘Samar Island Nature Park’ is greatest because of the rich mineral resources. The
SIBP figure for forested lands differs from the ‘official’ provincial figure. The
SIBP figure refers to the Samar Island Nature Park protected forest within the
province.
The Environment
7
36000 34100
34000
32000 Northern Samar Forest decline at 7.9% per annum
30000
28000
26000
24000
22000
20000 17654
18000
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000 3135
4000
2000 401 51 7 1
0
Y1996 Y2004 Y2025 Y2050 Y2075 Y2100 Y2118
Illegal logging in Northern Samar is rife and DENR has done little to reduce this
problem. Much of the illegally gotten timber is planed smooth before being
transported through the national highways, making it difficult to determine its
legality. As the graph above shows, by the year 2118, it is projected that there
will be just one hectare of forest left, making Northern Samar a barren wasteland
similar to the ‘Red Mountain’ in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur in Mindanao.
With the interest of the San Jose logging company to renew its logging licence
within the Natural Park in Samar Island comes the greatest threat to the
environment in many years. The Supreme Court waived the ban on this company so
it is now up to the municipalities to grant or refuse logging licences. Together with
the proposed mining, continued logging may spell the death knell on one of the few
remaining pristine forested areas in the Philippines.
Millions 1960-2002 Northern Samar Coconut Trees Planted

16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1960 1971 1980 1991 2002
The graph above shows that between 1991 and 2002, an extra 39,535 hectares of
The Environment
8
coconut land were planted in the province. Although this is a smaller increase than
in previous decades, the land for this can only have come from the environmental
land reserves.
Likewise, the intensive planting of abaca will increase as farmers and landowners
see the value of this crop, further threatening the conversion of more of the
environmental reserve. It is true that, by default, most abaca is grown organically,
with little fertiliser or chemicals used to contaminate the soil. Thus, it is mostly
the secondary forests that will suffer.
Should entrepreneurs ever decide to industrialise abaca production, which is
entirely possible, it is then that major concerns may arise regarding environmental
damage. Whether or not compromises can be reached, that would both benefit the
abaca industry and the environment, would have to be seen. It is perfectly
possible to formulate an acceptable compromise that would allow the much needed
development of the abaca industry.
It is not only the land based environment that suffers; as the pressure to create
more income increases, more and more enterprising individuals and groups take
advantage of the marine resources. As a result, fish catches have been reduced
by approximately 50% over the last ten years [fisher folks’ estimate], and
marginal species are being lost to dynamite fishing. As can be seen from the map
below, the islands that stretch along the Northern coast are built on reefs that
are the major habitat and spawning areas of the fish. Although there are seasonal
migratory fish, the main fishing depends on the small but resident fish, and it is
these that are at risk of further depletion.
The two prime areas, as outlined on the map, are major spawning areas and very
much at risk; they are already suffering from over-fishing. Without these two
areas, there will be no steady fishing industry in the province, only seasonal and
casual fishing of migrating fish.
The Environment
9
To the west lie other islands and these are the Naranjo Islands as shown in the
following map.
The Naranjo Islands lie north of San

Vicente Island and southwest of Capul
Island, and consist of six small islands
as shown.
The slow decline of the marine environment is caused by illegal crablet harvesting,
illegal fishing activities, and damage to the mangrove areas. The following pictures
show this decline in Rosario, which has large areas already lost, with little
successful replacement.
The Environment
10
The eastern seaboard area, being open to the Pacific Ocean’s occasional violence,
has little to offer as sanctuary to marine species. It is the areas of Biri,
Lavezares and Rosario and Pambujan, Laoang and Palapag that harbour the
spawning grounds for the province.
Overall, both the land-based and marine environmental sectors are at increasing
risk, and the pressure to grow food and provide incomes can only increase these
risks. As there are no financial or other resources to protect the ‘at risk’ areas
and species, only with the environmental education of the teachers and children
will it be possible, in the long-term, to arrest the environmental decline.
Geophysical Hazards:
As with most of the Philippines, the province has its fault lines and disaster-prone
areas. The Provincial Government has recently installed a ‘Provincial Disaster
Management Office’ to aid disaster planning and management response. The
following map shows the province’s share of the hazard areas.
The Environment
11
The flood prone areas are of particular concern, as Catarman, San Roque,
Pambujan and Laoang are highly populated areas. The province, as surveyed by
GTZ, has areas prone to land slides. These once heavily forested areas are
covered with coconut that does little to protect the soil against saturation and
consequential slides.
The Environment
12
Of particular concern is the coastal area of San Isidro, where steep hillsides,
laden with rocks, are a threat to the national highway. In this province where the
incidences of poverty are
very high, many low-
income families practice
the age-old income
generating activity of rock
breaking. Authorities class
these activities as ‘illegal’,
although no attempts have
been made to introduce
alternative sources of
incomes for these
families.
The extract below from
the GTZ Geological hazard
map shows that San Isidro
Municipality is very prone to land
of San Isidro
slides.
The Environment
13
The provincial government has shown great concern regarding this area and are
exploring the potential responses to the problem.
Bobon
Lapinig
The shaded areas on the map above, coastal areas from Bobon through to Lapinig,
indicate the tsunami-prone areas. The following map shows the area of land below
100 metres (Red outline). Unfortunately, no map is available that shows the land
area below 50 metres. The blue coloured area is the area where large underground
water resources are found.
The Environment
14
The Agencies
As with many other provinces, Northern Samar is host to a collection of
development and donor agencies, with stated intents to assist the province to
develop its governance and livelihoods.
Many of municipal local government units [LGUs] and the home-grown local and
national development agencies in the province are concerned with planning and
appraisals in the barangays. Municipal activities appear to be concentrated in the
barangays that have paved roads leading to them.
There is generally a lack of coordination with the provincial authority. Many
organisations lack the proper accreditation and seem to have little interest to co-
operate with the provincial government.
Some NGO ‘executives’ are part timers, primarily employed at the provincial and
municipal government offices or the university. This poses questions regarding the
independence of NGOs from government.
A strong group culture within the barangays can make it difficult for NGO staff
members to build trust and integrate. They are perceived as outsiders who know
little of the real inner workings of the barangay. The most successful development
projects have shown that NGOs that employ people from the communities are most
successful; this can only be because they become known and part of the group,
minimising the ‘gap’ between implementers and beneficiaries.
Advocacy and capacity building are carried out by outsiders, enforcing a hierarchical
system and maintaining a dependence on external organisations. This does little to
enhance the independence of the barangay groups and certainly provides little in the
way of empowerment.
In an area with 85% dependence on the environment for its livelihood, with no
manufacturing capability and with a very limited processing capability, it seems
strange that some agencies, including the provincial departments, have chosen to
concentrate on eco-tourism. Many thousands of Pesos are spent on planning meetings
and it is probable that there are more meetings than there are tourists. The
The Agencies
1
province is not an area with notable ecological sites, with few small waterfalls or
other attractions that have little significance compared to other destinations in the
wider Philippines.
Many of the non-government agencies have credit schemes providing loans to groups
or individuals, and yet there exists no savings schemes to back up the credit
facilities. Bangladesh learned many years ago, that prior to giving credit facilities,
beneficiaries should undergo a period of voluntary savings, before being considered
worthy of credit. This installed a money management mentality in the households,
which made it easier for the lending agency to gather the repayments and pass
these on to other beneficiaries.
In a community that is heavily dependent on credit, be it at the local mini store,
agricultural trader or bank, some non-government agencies seek to install their own
systems and compete with the commercial sector for their customer base. With the
coming of another ‘rural’ bank in the area, the indebtedness of the low-income
households is liable to increase.
The recent intervention of the Australian funded Philippines/Australian Community
Assistance Programme [PACAP] is by far one of the better development projects to
reach the province in many years. In co-operation with the provincial government,
PACAP is assisting the local agencies to identify some of the development issues
areas where responsive projects could be most beneficial. However, PACAP’s
decision to ignore the areas under the HCAAP scheme (Help for Catubig Agricultural
Assistance Project) takes away much needed humanitarian based development
assistance to low-income households reliant on copra.
Within six months of signing a Memorandum of Agreement [MoA] [1st April 2005]
with the provincial government, PACAP has received FOCAS project proposals for
consideration; this demonstrates the professional approach to development taken by
AusAID. PACAP’s FOCAS projects cover coconut production and processing, mud
crab farming, Pili nut production and processing, potable water and solid waste
management. PACAP has a Project Officer installed at the provincial capitol, giving
reasonable access to consultation to all.
Coconut FOCAS:
Both Catubig and Las Navas come under the HCAAP project and have been excluded
from the PACAP coconut FOCAS. The HCAAP project deals mostly with the delta
areas, concentrating on temporary agricultural crop production; vast areas of
coconut land are not included in HCAAP. It is well known that the coconut areas of
Catubig are in desperate need of assistance with a high rate [27.64%] of
malnourishment in pre-school children, 4.66% infant mortality, 60.47% at risk
pregnancies and 6.70% low birth weights. Catubig is the 5th largest producer of
coconuts (2001) and 7th in tonnage produced per hectare of coconut trees.
The Agencies
2
Overall, the province’s coconut plantation is in decline, with only 60 trees growing
per hectare against a standard rate of 100 per hectare. Of these 60 trees, only 46
are productive and it is paramount that this province implements a coconut
plantation rehabilitation programme.
The increasingly popular production of ‘Virgin’ coconut oil has come to the province
and is the latest fashionable project to be involved with. Carica, the national flag
carrier of some herbal products is assisting some areas to set up virgin coconut oil
projects, even investing in equipment and training for interested groups.
Other than this, some NGOs are encouraging householders to take up part time
production, but and this is already giving rise to several problems. The householders
are producing small amounts of virgin oil of questionable quality and yet expect a
purchaser to pay retail prices similar to branded products. PACAP would be well
advised to engage a wholesale buyer that would re-process and filter the
householder’s small amounts of virgin oil and barrel these for delivery to the
branded processors.
Virgin coconut oil is expensive and attempts have been made to sell the oil locally.
But vendors very quickly saw the market flooded with poor quality oil despite the
lack of purchasers. It seems that producers have gone for the quick profit and
spoiled the market, instead of aiming for the international market that has higher
demand. Because household producers have no access to the international market,
the development agencies should take the role of ensuring that the oil is suitable
for sale to this market. Without some professional intervention, virgin coconut oil
production will fade out and the potential will be lost. We will then have the sari-sari
store syndrome, where one starts and very soon a street is lined with sari-sari
stores, none of which are making a profit.
Mud Crab FOCAS:
For many years, Northern Samar has been the prime source of mud crab, which
commands high prices in the metropolitan areas. However, small crablets have been
The Agencies
3
systematically and illegally harvested for transporting to Manila for fattening there.
There are various estimates of the financial and ecological losses to the mud crab
areas, and these losses are probably worth more than P50 million per annum. Their
retail value, when fattened, could exceed P2.5 billion and the province has missed
out on this potential.
With co-ordination of municipal ordinances to reduce the illegal harvesting of
crablets and to implement effective crab farming systems, the province may at last
start to financially benefit from this industry, bringing much needed income to the
municipalities involved. Provision of alternative sources of income must, however, be
given to the out-of-school youth who were involved in illegal crablet harvesting.
Pili FOCAS:
PACAP’s pili FOCAS management committee has taken the opportunity to further
enhance the production and processing capabilities of Allen and Lavezares but have
failed to include the eastern section of the province, which has large assets of wild
Pili resources and is in dire need of development.
The Agencies
4
With the completion of the highway bridge that connects Laoang to Palapag, the
municipalities of Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay and Lapinig will demand to be included in
any and all potential income generation opportunities, as well as ask for greater
access to the markets for their produce. PACAP would be well advised to set aside a
small amount of their considerable development budget for Pili development in these
municipalities.
Above all, there is need to assure the quality of the processed nut as there have
been cases of food poisoning from processed candy and other Pili products sold by
street and airport vendors. Quality control is essential, and transgressors should
consistently punished by the provincial health and safety office.
The Pili project may be small by comparison to other FOCAS projects, yet its
potential for generating extra income and for the rehabilitation of the province’s
watershed areas cannot be overlooked.
Potable Water FOCAS:

The wise choice of the FOCAS Management Committee to support potable water
projects could and should reduce the supply lack in the municipalities of Biri, Capul,
San Vicente, San Antonio, San Isidro, Victoria, Mondragon, San Roque, Gamay and
Silvino Lobos. It is hoped that Allen, with its worsening potable water supply
problem in the poblacion and market area, will also benefit from PACAP’s potable
water project.
Although there are World Health Organisation [WHO] regulations about the
sources of potable water, few know these and fewer implement the regulation of
keeping domicile 50 metres away from potable water sources.
The Agencies
5
The table below shows the areas with the worst potable water problems [2004]:
Without Potable water source 2004
San Roque 73.96% 24
Las Navas 25.78% Excluded from PACAP 23
Lavezares 24.50% 22
Laoang 24.36% 21
Palapag 22.60% 20
Gamay 21.69% 19
Allen 21.67% 18
San Jose 19.33% 17
Silvino Lobos 17.78% 16
Capul 17.76% 15
San Vicente 17.55% 14
San Antonio 15.68% 13
Mapanas 14.90% 12
Mondragon 14.42% 11
Catarman 13.67% 10
Victoria 13.61% 9
Pambujan 12.07% 8
Bobon 11.45% 7
Rosario 11.37% 6
Lapinig 6.29% 5
Lope de Vega 5.42% 4
San Isidro 4.62% 3
Biri 3.53% 2
Catubig 2.12% Excluded from PACAP 1
The table above contain the official statistics provided to the provincial
government.
The Agencies
6
As can be seen from the potable water ranking table, PACAP’s FOCAS project
includes some municipalities with minor potable water problems and excludes other
with worthy claims for assistance.
Solid Waste Management FOCAS:
If ever there is ever a need for a solid waste management project; that of the
province of Northern Samar certainly should have been considered many years ago.
In the municipality of Mondragon especially, garbage is discarded in many places,
despite the municipality having a garbage truck and a dumpsite. Thankfully, the
municipal dumpsite of Catarman has been partially closed after many years of
polluting a river. The provincial government has ‘gone the extra mile’ to provide a
new dumpsite for this municipality’s garbage.
Of utmost importance to promoting change for this PACAP FOCAS project is the
need to engage in mass promotion of household and barangay cleanliness, and proper
garage disposal [and recycling].
The proliferation of garbage pickers and scavengers around the barangays tells a
story of poverty and lack of employment. With the Chinese demanding an increasing
amount of scrap metal and the world market price rising alarmingly, the pickers have
attempted to make a profit from this enterprise. If it has achieved nothing else,
this activity has cleared many barangays and households of scrap metal, as
householders now save these to make a few Pesos from the scavengers.
The recent appearance of AusAID’s ‘STRIVE’ programme, which aims to provide

education projects, as well as assistance to ‘out of school youth’, gives the province a
boost since these lead to gainful employment of the beneficiaries. Above all, it is
The Agencies
7
the ability to obtain gainful employment that is crucial to the development of this
province. Whether or not those that benefit from the 'STRIVE' programme remain
in the province should be of little concern.
In Malawi, Africa, the employment situation of the youth became a major problem
and this was partially solved by two means. [a] Reducing government assistance to
students who take up ‘art’ degree courses in college and university, and encouraging
greater involvement in science based degree courses, and [b], assisting government
and private agencies to put up vocational training establishments that cater to the
youth to learn useful life skills and trades.
In some way, the Philippines also requires training in trades and skills, however
mundane they seem to be. Even to cater to an expanding population, the country
needs skills that can serve the nation.
Within the province of Northern Samar, there may not be the opportunity for all to
gain work, yet opportunities do exist outside of the province and there is no reason
why the province cannot be a supplier of these skills. TESDA and other similar
agencies do not have the resources to be able to expand to meet the needs of the
youth; support for vocational skills training is by far the most important addition
that could be made to the province’s ability to succeed.
Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF):

The Peace and Equity Foundation has recently become active in the province, with
‘partner’ meetings designed to promote development projects within the province. As
an umbrella agency, their use of local NGOs to ascertain and manage programmes
and projects has sound basis.
PLAN Philippines:
Part of PLAN International, PLAN Philippines opened for business here in early
2005, after studying potential target areas. They have elected to concentrate
their efforts on Lope de Vega, followed by Catarman. Their child-focused
programme encompasses every aspect of development.
The rural barangays of Lope de Vega and Catarman are much in need of development
projects, as they have been ignored for many years. With the paving of the road
from Catarman through Lope de Vega, it is hoped that the transportation of produce
will become easier and that family incomes will improve. PLAN’s additional
development project will greatly benefit this municipality. Mayor Cinco has worked
very hard to gain development opportunities for her municipality.
It is hoped that eventually, PLAN will spread its projects further across the
province.
The Agencies
8
Tourism
At first glance, one may be forgiven for asking, “What Tourism?” as it would seem
that the few old churches, lighthouses, waterfalls, rock formations and beaches can
hardly be described as national or international tourist sites. Yet the province
spends thousands of Pesos chasing the dream of a province inundated with high
spending tourists, when even the local affluent go outside of the province for their
holidays.
[Biri rock formation]

Three 50 minute flights from Manila by Asian Spirit arrive in the province during a
normal week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Although a few hotels and beach
resorts can offer adequate accommodation to tourist, the very small potential of
the tourist industry makes it pointless to invest in the promotion of the area as a
tourist destination.
Tourism
1
[Capul church of which the original terra cotta floor tiles and marble still exists]
Although there are some beautiful sites and old buildings to be found in the
province, it cannot hope to compete with areas that are easier to access and also
easier to travel around in. The province is better suited to the ‘backpackers’ who can
rough it on low budgets. It may be a novel idea to promote hardship tourism and
challenge groups to traverse the province to carry out worthy projects. Following
this line of thought, the province is an ideal place for scouting activities.
Of the few ancient churches, the

church on Capul Island is worth
visiting, but it is mainly the rock
formations of Biri and Palapag that
are of interest.
The many waterfalls, ranging from
30 metres to 10 metres are often
difficult to get to and have few
facilities for tourists.
Tourism
2
Bobon has a secluded waterfall of about
thirty metres that has carved a small
cave at its base. It has a shallow pool of
‘ice cold’ water that spreads fifteen or
so metres at the foot of the waterfall.
It is an idyllic spot set amongst rock
pools, evergreen forest plants and
pristine trees.
However, getting there involves being
dropped off at the nearest barangay,
from where one has to go on foot
through muddied tracks and rice fields
for one hour.
There are other worthy sites, but large amounts of investment would be required to
improve access and provide facilities, and the prospects of earning enough to offset
the capital outlay are dim.
Those who wish to visit these sites should be prepared to tolerate the minor
hardships that they would encounter.
Tourism
3
Security
As with the other provinces in the Philippines, very little is known about the ‘true’
status of the security issues within Northern Samar. No foreigner can truly
determine the situation as local knowledge and feeling is required for an accurate
assessment.
Very little is known about the existing rebel groups and the numbers that give them
open support. Less is known about those that give tacit support.
Occasionally, reports are heard of the NPA terminating the life of someone, or being
involved in supporting barangay members that are in disagreement with a municipal
government. It may be that these ‘terminations’ are carried out on behalf of people
that have appealed to the NPA for justice, and summary sentences are carried out in
support of a complaint. However, the exact truth is never determined.
Rumour often spreads far and wide, about one aggressive act or another, only to be
forgotten within days. Occasionally slogans, denouncing the national government or
the president, are daubed or re-daubed on walls in prominent places. It is also not
unusual to see slogans daubed by the pro-government voices.
No one should ever discount the presence and impact of these rebels in this province,
regardless of whether or not they command only a minority of support. They are
here and growing in number, although insufficient to take any major offensive. They
use the issue of poverty and the present [and worsening] economic situation of the
province to recruit members and supporters. They seem to be encamped in the
eastern side of the province, with direct links to rebels in Eastern Samar. It is said,
however, that their relationships with the groups in Western Samar are not cordial.
Far more influential to the progression of the province is the local politics that
dominates nearly every facet of life. The rebels only have control over some areas,
although it is rumoured that nobody gets elected without their support. This rumour
Security
1
is probably exaggerated, although towards the eastern side of the province, their
influence is probably more substantial.
Yet, the presence of rebels is not the main concern of a conservative province that is
generally Liberal by inclination. Leanings range from adoration for Marcos and
Estrada, to those that give tacit support for the present stewards of the national
government. The two municipalities of Rosario and Mondragon are dominated by
internal political fighting, thus restricting development in these municipalities. It is
said that ‘gangs’ dominate Bobon, whatever they are perceived to be. Silvino Lobos is
so remote that few are aware of the happenings there.
However, some of the rebel groups have stated that they would welcome
development projects for the people. What they do not welcome, is the
permanent presence of an NGO or of provincial extension workers. If there is
ever to be any co-operation or co-ordination with these groups, compromises
must be made to leave aside political issues and concentrate on humanitarian
issues, which are by themselves great.
Although useful detail from the remote areas is often scarce, it is plain that these
remote areas suffer some of the worst poverty and health issues that need
addressing. As already stated, the rebels feed off poverty, and alleviating poverty
will greatly contribute to a peaceful resolution. Also, unhealthy supporters are a
burden, whichever side one is on. There are also underlying human rights issues here.
Every government office is dominated by national politics, but probably no more than
any other province. This is restrictive of genuine development, since sights are
limited to the next election as the target.
Security
2
Some of the forward looking mayors have learned to live in a tenuous stand-off with
rebel groups, turning an occasional ‘blind eye’ to rebel activities in order to peacefully
be able to implement some development projects and allow some progress. It is often
the personal strength of individual mayors that shows through municipal
achievements.
Security
3
E-VAT and Agriculture
In November 2005, the national government extended the Value Added Tax [VAT]
to cover many items that had been exempt in the past. Foods items were included
for the first time. The VAT level of 10% in 2005 was expanded to 12% starting
January 2006. Great concern has been voiced about the additional burden this will
place on low-income families.
At that time [November 2005], the international crude oil market experienced a
dizzying round of price increases that affected every facet of life, including
access to the most basic food items. During the last quarter of 2005, fuel prices
escalated by 18% and, with E-VAT implementation, translated into a 19.8%
increase on the price of all transported goods within a short period of time. By
December, the fuel price increase settled back to 14.3% above the August price,
although the international business papers predicted that the fuel prices would
again rise.
With 10%, and then 12%, added on to many non-food items as direct E-VAT, the
burden on the low-income families would be greater than many of the government
documents stated. With the need to transport many of these goods either around
or to the province, there may be an overall increase of some 8%.
Northern Samar has been affected more than many other areas, as its
remoteness entails high transport costs of the 65% of fresh produce it ‘imports’
and nearly 100% of other commodities and goods. Northern Samar enters into its
‘typhoon season’ in November, with heavy rain and storms; this reduces work
opportunities for many of the low-income families. Agriculture, fishing,
construction and other weather dependent livelihoods are affected. The typhoon
season also restricts the ships that can bring in the produce, either directly to
Allen and Laoang, or indirectly via truck from the port in Tacloban, Leyte.
There has been and probably will remain some confusion regarding which
agricultural products are to be subjected to this extra tax, as the guidelines do
not clarify many points, doubtless leaving individual BIR offices to interpret as
best they can.
To quote one of the guidelines’ documents, “Briefer on VAT Reform Law”, “non-
food agricultural products” are to be included. This term may have been left vague

1
deliberately, and legal challenges may have to be raised before any clarification is
made.
This document states, [page 4] “Among these exempt commodities are;
agricultural and marine products in their original state such as vegetables,
meat, fish, fruit, eggs and rice. These goods remain exempt from VAT even
if they had undergone simple processes of preparation or preservation for
the market (such as freezing, drying, salting, broiling, roasting, smoking or
stripping).
Prior to any implementation, the term “simple processes of preparation or
preservation” should be subject to question. The document “Reformed Value
Added Tax [R.A. 9337] Primer” makes it clear that copra is exempt, but coco-coir
and shell, as non-food crops, are to be taxed once processed into mats or
charcoal.
“The milling of palay into rice, corn into grits and sugar cane into raw sugar” are
not subject to E-VAT, although the cost of milling will rise because mills are
either electrically or liquid fuel driven. Thus the cost of power will carry an extra
10/12%. However, there is no statement regarding the wheat or corn used to make
confectionary and bread and this should be clarified. Wheat and corn would pass
through a “simple process of preparation” to remove the outer hulls, before being
subjected to a secondary process to turn these into flour for baking.
Coconut:
For the coconut industry, which has great
importance to Northern Samar, the E-VAT will be
significant. Once picked, the coconut is split and
the nut removed. After this, the nut is split and
the flesh removed and the ‘simple process” of
drying takes place. This then becomes ‘copra’ which
is exempted from E-VAT. After drying, the copra
is transported to the processors, from which it emerges as coconut oil and
becomes subject to E-VAT. The transportation is also subject to E-VAT.
The process leaves the coconut shell and outer casing to be, where required,
processed into coco-coir or charcoal. There is no definition in the documentation
for burning the coconut shell to make charcoal. It would be open to debate
whether or not E-VAT should be charged once the charcoal is entered into the
market for sale to the general public, although the same documentation states
that ‘coal, natural gas and other indigenous fuels” are subject to E-VAT.
Furthermore, coconut lumber is now subject to E-VAT, whether it will be used as
fuelwood or for construction.

2
Abaca:
Abaca falls squarely under the ‘non-food’ category and it may be debatable at
what stage it becomes liable to E-VAT. Having cut the abaca stems, the abaca
farmers’ strip and dry the raw abaca into dried fibre and bundle this for delivery
to or collection by the abaca traders. From the hands of the traders, the abaca
bundles will be transported to the pulp processors, some of which will in turn be
exported. Raw or partially processed materials for export are exempt from E-
VAT, IF the processor exports more than 70% of its materials.
The RA Briefer [page 15] states that the “Sale of raw material or
packaging materials to export orientated enterprise whose export sales
exceed seventy percent (70%) of total annual production”, are zero rated
transactions for E-VAT.
There may be a rebound from the E-VAT and extra fuel costs for the abaca
farmers. It is very unlikely that the processors will pay the traders more to cover
the extra costs of transport. In order to maintain their profit level, the traders
may force the abaca farmers to accept less for the raw dried material. It may
only be the high international demand for abaca pulp that maintains or increases
the value of the pulp, thus keeping market prices high at the producers’ end of
the chain. Yet, the traders are sure to take every advantage that they can to keep
the prices from rising, and the low-income families reliant on abaca production
may have to bear this burden.
Should the provincial government manage to collect their additional levy of P0.25
[25 Centavos] per kilogram of dried fibre from the traders, the traders in turn
will naturally seek to recover this. To the provincial government, a ten tonne
truckload of dried abaca fibre has a value of P2500 and the many truckloads that
pass along the provincial highway may have an annual value to the provincial
government of some P5 million and more, according to FIDA estimates. However,
without a weighbridge, the provincial government may have some difficulty in
collecting this levy.
The E-VAT of 12% of sales from the traders, estimated to be some 32,000
tonnes per annum [and growing] at an average of P25 per kilogram, amounts to a
considerable P96 million per annum for the national government. In total, the local
abaca industry may find itself with an annual tax bill of some P100 million, plus an
additional 12% on the fuel used to transport this valuable material out of the
province. Perhaps the provincial government can alleviate some of the tax burden,
on the condition that a processing plant is established in the province.

3
Entertainment of the Masses:
Those who engage in or follow the ‘sport’ of cock fighting will find that the costs
of feeds and the various veterinary concoctions are now subject to E-VAT. Many
low-income families have gamecocks, not only for sporting purposes, but on the
chance that they will win a pot of money that can help feed the family.
The imposition of E-VAT will not deter the aficionados of this sport, although the
specialist feed makers will now have to add E-VAT to the price of their goods.
The Humble Dwelling Place and E-VAT:

The RA 9337 Primer [page 12] also states that the previously exempted
“Sale of non-food products, marine and forest products in their original
state by the primary producer or the owner of the land where the same are
produced” are now subject to E-VAT.
This brings E-VAT additions to many forest products used by the low-income
families.
The majority of humble dwellings of low-income barangay folk in Northern Samar,

such as the ones above, are made from local materials, such as coco lumber,
bamboo, nipa panels, woven bamboo panels, and rattan. These are classified as
construction materials and are now subject to E-VAT.
Travel:
During the period August through December 2005, the cost of fuels rose by 12%,
peaking at 17.8% in November. Predictions from DTI and service station
proprietors state that further rises would be inevitable during 2006. Some think
that the national government’s reduction of excise tax on fuel would have little
effect on prices ‘at the pumps’, as the suppliers have other high costs to contend
with.

4
16%
This Establishes August (0%) as the 14.91%
Point From Which the Percentage
14%
Increases Have Been Measured.
11.70%
12%
10%
8% 7.34%
6%
4%
2%
0.00%
0%
Sept Oct Nov Dec
-2%
It is the higher costs of kerosene that will affect many householders, as kerosene
is used for lighting. The rising costs of transport by jeepney will also place a
burden on poor householders.
With the province dependent on diesel fuel for the importation of the 65% of
fresh foods and nearly 100% of all other commodities, as well as for all domestic
transport, prices are likely to escalate with the implementation of the E-VAT.
The commodity monitoring set up by the author with the DTI and NSO showed a
9.36% increase in prices due to fuel price increases, prior to the introduction of
the E-VAT. Prices in the fresh market showed an average rise of 4.25%, although
some items showed rises of 20% or more. With fuel prices rising by 12% or more,
other increases can be expected.
In addition, the steeply rising cost of electricity, of 9.47% during the last year
and 2.09% since August, will significantly influence the prices of all commodities,
including the cost of milling. It can be safely assumed that the millers will raise
their prices, leading to an increase in the price of the most basic of foods. The

5
government documentation on E-VAT predicts an increase on rice of one Centavo
(P0.01), or 0.05% per kilogram, an estimate that most observers believe is a gross
underestimate. This prediction, it must be noted, used the 10% E-VAT as basis for
calculations.
The following is an extract from “Briefer on VAT Reform Law” and shows the
expected increases on several fresh food commodities.
Commodity: Price per kilo: Impact of R-VAT per kilo % Increase
Rice 20.76 20.77 0.05%
Corn 10.60 10.603 0.03%
Milk fish 83.01 83.05 0.04%
Tilapia 67.93 68.04 0.016%
Cabbage 24.01 24.01 0.00%
Eggplant 43.37 43.40 0.05%
Chicken 97.33 97.41 0.09%
Pork 141.67 141.94 0.19%
Price estimate at 10% VAT.
Prices quoted above may vary depending on location and other factors.
E-VAT Exempted Transactions:

The RA 9337 Primer [page 19] states that “Sale or importation of fertilisers,
seeds, seedlings, and fingerlings, fish, prawns, livestock and poultry feeds,
including ingredients, whether locally purchased or imported, used in the
manufacture of finished feeds (except specialty feeds for race horses, fighting
cocks, aquarium fish, zoo animals and other animals considered pets)” are E-VAT
exempt.
It should be remembered that VAT has been in the Philippines for some time and
that the additional taxes are extensions or reforms to that VAT, from which
many commodities remain exempt.

6
Summarising:
Looking through many of the statistics shows that neither government nor non-
government agencies have truly addressed the social problems in the remote
municipalities; as a consequence many of these areas have serious health related and
other social problems. Many of these problems are livelihoods related and in this
seasons dominated province the low-income families have little chance of
progressing and greater chances of regressing into greater poverty. As the
economic situation declines, those in the marginal income sector may find
themselves joining those lower down on the scale.
To be fair, the autonomy of the various departments has failed the provincial
government and also failed the community. Autonomy in a fully functioning
democratic government system works because of the support and participation of
the people. That the Philippines has yet a way to go before it achieves stability is
accepted, but stability comes through the civil service departments, aswell as
through the people.
It is also clear that the few beautiful natural sites, a few old churches and
lighthouses do not amount to tourist attractions, sufficient to warrant the amount
of attention that has been given to the ‘tourist industry’ of the province. These are
mere paper moons promoted by paper tigers and had there been a potential tourist
industry in the province, commercial enterprise would have taken advantage of this,
many years ago.
Of course there are nice beaches as there are thousands of nice beaches all over
the Philippines and most are in provinces that are much easier to reach than this
one.
In many ways, the province of Northern Samar is suffering the consequences of the
greed of the past and present businessmen that have and still are taking the best
assets of the province, saying thank you for the vast profits that they make and
invest these profits outside of the province. It is said that the profit from the
province’s abaca goes to fund a national TV station and few here can receive this
channel.
Summary
It is also said that the few rich people in the province are not Nortehanons’ and this
seems to be true. There is a big presence of Chinese or Filipino-Chinese business
people based mostly in Catarman that have, at a healthy profit, provided many of
the commodity stores, gas stations and other goods outlets and without these, the
province would be even further behind in commerce. However, profits are invested
in Manila or other metropolitan areas, where many of these businessmen have
families and other business interests.
It could be asked why these businessmen and women have not reinvested their
profits in the province and yet, it could also be asked, what is there to invest in?
The province needs a stable electrical power generation system; it also needs the
processing capability for local value adding of the raw materials. These are large
investments that few individuals can afford and without a stable power supply, all
are reluctant to invest.
Will these businessmen and women also be expected to invest in the infrastructure
that would help open up the trade areas of the inland or remote coastal
municipalities? Of course not, this is not their role.
The map above shows the areas of Allen, Catarman and Laoang as the main ‘trading’
places, whilst the large outline shows the vast area that is underserved by
infrastructure or commerce. The vast agricultural resources of Lapinig, Gamay,
Mapanas, Palapag, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Lope de Vega and parts of other
municipalities could be wasted, as the means of transport is limited, the cost is high
and fresh farm produce often rots before it can reach the market.
It is hoped that when the bridge that will connect the main highway from Laoang to
Palapag is completed, it will allow and ‘open up’ the municipalities of Palapag,
Mapanas, Gamay and Lapinig to transport their produce to the main marketing areas
with ease. Their present dependence on water transportation is economically
restrictive to their advancement. However, like many other projects, the essential
bridge to connect Palapag is held up by politics, with the adjoining municipality of
Laoang claiming that they have priority. These petty squabbles serve no one.
Summary
The map above shows the small amount of paved highway that serves mostly the
coastal municipalities together with Catubig. Recent investment will completely pave
the road from Catarman through Lope de Vega, thus reducing the time taken to
travel through to Catarman for the trucks from Catarman and Calbuyog.
The province’s river system extends from many of the remote areas and used more
efficiently could act as the alternative highways. Investment in low cost means of
river transport is much needed and the technology is available to support this. The
very high cost of transporting food and non-food produce to the main centres is
prohibitive and should low cost river transport become available, would create
greater income in the areas where it is needed but would also open up these areas
for commerce in consumable goods.
Other than supplying the much-needed roads and bridges at phenomenal cost to
serve these remote communities, a means of economical river carriage should be
high amongst the development needs.
There is also potential for increasing the generating of power from some of the
water sources and even the tidal waters off the shore.
Summary
Catarman Weather Station Average Wind Speed (kph at 5m) - 1961
12.0 to 1994
11.0 11.0
10.4
10.0 9.8
9.0
8.6 8.7
8.0
7.0
6.7 6.6 6.6 6.6
6.0 6.0 5.9
5.8
5.0
An experiment by the university to generate power with wind turbines may die a
natural death, as weather statistics show that the average wind speed is 7.7
kilometres per hour, whereas an average speed of 12 kilometres per hour is required
to maintain turbine activity. The typical wind speed for the average year is shown in
the foregoing graph and shows that for 7 months of the year [April through
October], the wind speed is very low indeed.
Education:
2004 English Maths Science FilipinoHEKASI MESP EPP MPS
Northern Samar 58.53% 47.59% 56.29% 57.59% 54.84% 42.88% 66.56% 54.43%
% Below Av 11.69% 9.58% 4.46% 6.30% 5.33% 7.11% 2.26% 8.00%
Amongst the many desperate needs of development is the education system to
support the needs of the youth, who are underserved at this time. The achievement
and diagnostic results for this province are the lowest in the region and once
studied, it is not hard to determine why. Although TESDA have facilities and there
are highschools that promote agriculture and industry, these are not enough and
cannot hope to serve the growing number of youth seeking employment, in a province
with one of the highest population expansion rate of the nation.
The recent coming of the AusAID funded 'STRIVE' programme in education for
five years, may start to change teaching abilities, yet it remains to be seen if the
attitude of the teaching staff can also be changed. It is hoped that the ‘out of
school youth’ can be encouraged to take up this opportunity for furthering their
education, but greater pressure to earn income may restrict this. Often, they
consider that their ‘street skills’ and knowledge are sufficient for their lives and
see no need to attain further education. Should the opportunity arise to greatly
expand vocational training opportunities, the out of school youth may well respond.
They have attended the university of life, which suits them well, at this time.
Summary
Perhaps, it is worth accepting that with the very limited employment opportunities
within the province there may not be guaranteed work for those that do pass
through the vocational schools. There may be value in considering training these
youth in livelihoods that would allow them to gain employment outside of the
province and become an exporter of skills.
Studies show that many of the teachers are not accredited, not having passed a
board examination, although it is probably true that many schools are so desperate
for staff, they hire those available, whether or not their abilities have been tested.
As the STRIVE documentation shows, many teachers are expected to teach
subjects that they have little knowledge of and this again, restricts advancement of
the youth. The few private schools and colleges do not cater for the elite of the
province; they cater for the few hopefuls with money from hard working parents.
The children of the elite are educated in Manila or abroad, thus depriving the
province of the educational challenge to perform.
Many students passing through the province’s university colleges seem only to do so
to obtain a certificate of completion, although the occasional brilliant mind, from an
economically challenged family, rises above all.
Many have questioned the direction in which the university appears to be going.
There is investment in beautifying the campus and plans for a beach resort, yet the
investment in scientific facilities falls behind the needs and senior provincial figures
question the ability of the university to serve the needs of the province’s youth and
education system. The university has even failed to keep the student’s toilet
facilities open for more than a few days each week and yet beautifying projects
abound.
The university’s once leading role in agriculture has waned, with nursing, law and
business studies holding the advantage, yet of all requirements, agricultural
progress is much needed, backed by competent university courses.
Summary
Health:
One of the reasons why those doctors that remain, do remain, is that they receive
extra financial allowances from the provincial government to persuade them to stay.
There is already a major shortage of doctors and nurses and hospitals are often
without medicines and have very limited equipment with which to serve to populace.
The pro-life stance by some of the senior physicians is reflected in the provincial
stance regarding birth control, thus leaving the women with no freedom of choice.
Region VIII has an average annual population

expansion rate of 1.71323%, with the lowest
Southern Leyte at 1.1282% and the highest,
Northern Samar at 2.6972%.
With an annual population expansion rate of
2.6972% the province of Northern Samar not
only ranks as highest in the region, it is highest
by 0.98397% [over the average] and this is a
very large margin indeed and also one of the
highest in the nation.
For the present, ‘import based economy’ of the
province, the population expansion rate cannot
be sustained and considering that at the
present rate, by 2026 the population of the
province will reach one million [from nearly
600,000 in 2005], the demand for imported
foods and commodities will have a ripple affect
on every aspect of daily life.
Where are the gender activists to support the
women’s rights to determine the number and
frequency of childbirths?
With a high percentage of pre-school children malnourished and a growing

percentage of elderly folk showing malnourishment problems and few government
health projects to address these problems; this province, that depends on so few
months of the year for its main income generation opportunities, may show increases
in all health related problems.
Summary
105%
100% Work Opport unit y

Trendline
95%
90%
85% Northern Samar
80%
Work Opportunity Monitoring
75%
70%
65%
This graph shows the average work opportunities for the low-income families and
shows that there are only five months of the year, when full employment may be
enjoyed. The remainder of the year is totally dependent on the weather. When this
is related to market prices, as seen in the following graph, the seasonal ‘Spending
Power’ ability shows that for half of the year, the low-income families suffer.
15%
7.99%
10% 5.43%
3.34% 3.66% 3.00%
5%
0%
-5%
-3.42%
-10%
-8.41%
-10.05% -9.91%
-15%
-20% -17.57%
Low-Income Households
-25% -22.10%
-30%
-35%
-33.26%
-40%
This shows that from April through August the families can earn sufficient to meet
their needs and have ‘disposable income’ available. However, from November through
March economies in the household budgets have to be made and this is where the
health related problems factor into the scene.
NGOs with credit schemes would be well advised to factor in the seasonal ‘Spending
Power’ index, as their credit repayment schemes may be responsible for increasing
the seasonal impoverishment of the low-income families.
Summary
30%
26.53%
25% 23.85%
20% Catarman 'Fresh' Market Monthly Price Fluctuations Over Average

This uses the average price over 9 months February through October
15%
10%
5% 2.76%
2.15% 2.45%
1.82% 1.68%
0.20%
0%
-0.30%
-2.16% -2.41%
-5% -3.43%
From monitoring of the ‘fresh’ market in Catarman, the graph above shows the
general price fluctuations of a basket of 30 items, which are available all year round.
Corresponding to the seasonal pattern of weather change, the prices in November,
December and January increase at the time of lowest incomes and so, not only is
spending power reduced, the fresh market goods are at their highest and this again
links into health related problems.
The provincial databases follow the monitoring of health related issues and by
amalgamating these, it can be seen that certain municipalities have higher
percentages of the basic health problems than others.
For the purpose of depicting the maternal and child health problem ranking, a
mapping system was used and this clearly shows the municipalities where mothers
and children face higher health risks.
Health Stress Ranking:
Summary
This map, depicting a combination of the 0 to 59 months malnourished, low birth
weights, infant mortality, ‘At Risk’ pregnancies, maternal mortality and poor
household sanitation and ranks the municipalities [worst 24] according to the
combined statistics. This shows that Lapinig [24], San Isidro [23], Mondragon [22],
San Jose [21] and Silvino Lobos [20] have the worst rankings.
With the isolation of Lapinig and Silvino Lobos, some understanding is duly given,
although all have health budgets that should address these known problems. There
can be little sympathy for the municipal executives of San Isidro, Mondragon and
San Jose as all are on the main transport routes with easy access to facilities and
remedies.
It may be that as is usually the case, the available 5% Gender and Development
[GAD] budgets, are used for other purposes and it is not unusual to find that less
than 0.25% has been utilised and savings made to be spent on the ‘sexy’ vote
catching projects.
Together with the worsening economic situation in the province, with more than 60%
well below the poverty line, pitiable health support programmes only exacerbate the
socio-economic decline of the majority of the populace and it could be assumed that
in 2005 the situation is not ‘healthy’.
Add in the declining economic situation regarding rising general inflation, fuel price
increases and the implementation of E-VAT, a further assumption could be that the
populace in the marginal sector, can only deteriorate, slowly sinking into the poverty
trap and caught up in the seasonal ‘spending power’ rut that many others face daily.
Summary
The Map above shows the municipalities with the worst potable water supply
problems and it can be seen that most are upland or remote municipalities. The main
island poblacion area of land has good water resources although Laoang and Palapag
potable water supply is often too saline for use. Surprisingly, Catubig with its vast
water catchment area, should not suffer potable water problems, yet is the fourth
worst.
Part of any health related issue is the potable water service to small communities,
especially those that nestle in the remote areas. Although these have many natural
sources of water, usually nearby the barangays, the means of transferring the water
to the communities are, if they exist, broken and have remained un-maintained for
many years. Barangay folk complain of the lack of maintenance support given by the
municipal executives and yet, it is the barangay folk that have failed to carry out,
even the basic maintenance of usually simple water transfer systems. To lay total
blame on the authorities is unjust, although they should ensure that systems are
updated and ensure also that the barangays have the capability to carry out the
maintenance required. Some barangay councils in Mindanao charge a small monthly
fee to householders, to maintain their water systems and this should be adopted by
the local barangays to improve and maintain this essential need.
Sanitation & Potable Water:
Summary
The map above depicts the four municipalities that have the least household
sanitation facilities and these clearly align with municipalities that have a potable
water supply problem. The PACAP potable water FOCAS project addresses only two
of the municipalities where potable water and sanitation problems occur.
From the provincial database, it was possible to gather information regarding the
municipalities on health, education and other statistics and a ‘Ranking’ chart was
made, showing the municipalities
Summary
All Data - Poverty Ranking 2004
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6%
SanIsidro 5.36%
4.88%
Lapinig 4.82%
4.82%
SilvinoLobos 4.76%
4.64%
SanJose 4.58%
4.49%
Laoang 4.39%
4.33%
Biri 4.30%
4.30%
Catarman 4.21%
4.12%
Gamay 4.09%
4.06%
Victoria 3.97%
3.88%
LopedeVega 3.85%
3.52%
Palapag 3.49%
3.46%
SanVicente 3.34%
2.32%
Summary
For those that have a preference for an index
system of comparison, the table shows the ranking
index for the municipalities [2004].
INDEX RANKING: This index system uses the following issues:
San Antonio -17 0 to 11 months malnourished,
San Vicente 8 0 to 59 months malnourished’
San Roque 11 Low birth weights,
Lavezares 12 Infant mortality [under one year old],
Palapag 12 ‘At Risk’ pregnancies,
Lope de Vega 20 Maternal mortality,
Mapanas 21 Households without sanitation,
Victoria 23 Households without potable water [250 metres or
Allen 25 more],
Gamay 26 Education non-completion rate,
Las Navas 27 Elementary school dropout rate,
Catarman 29 Personal robbery rate,
Biri 31 Household theft rate, and
Bobon 31 Population drift.
Capul 32 The municipality with the highest ranking rate worst
Laoang 33 for this system and this shows that San Isidro
Catubig 35 commands an index 11 points higher than its nearest
San Jose 38 rival for worst place and this should be of most
Pambujan 39 concern to provincial departments and genuine NGOs.
Silvino Lobos 42 The island of San Antonio seems to be the
Lapinig 43 municipality that is not only best served by its
Mondragon 43 municipal leaders, but also well served by a large
Rosario 45 margin of 25 points from its nearest rival, the island
San Isidro 56 of San Vicente. It is very interesting that two
islands top the list for best municipality and the
three municipalities with the worst statistics all are situated by the main coastal
highway, with easy access to facilities, although San Isidro is situated well away
from the provincial capitol.
In health related issues, Lapinig and Silvino Lobos feature in the worst rankings and
this appears to have been the case for many years.
The Economics and Livelihoods:
The quandary in this province is which livelihoods to develop or what alternatives
there are, that could be developed. There are few skilled work opportunities and it
worrying to see so many men standing idle in the barangays.
With the strong requirement for coconut oil from copra and the increasing demand
for abaca pulp it would seem reasonable to further invest finances and development
time in these trusty enterprises. But these cannot satisfy the need to develop
Summary
livelihoods for the masses, including the need to develop the short-term cash income
that is much needed to boost household income. Not only to boost incomes but to
ensure that some of the extra costs incurred by E-VAT and fuel price increases are
covered. Other than assistance to improve the spending power index, the low-income
and now the marginal-income families are at risk from greater poverty. Will the
municipal and provincial social services even attempt to respond to a provincial low-
income populations’ crisis, it seems unlikely?
Will more children from low and marginal-income families that are already deprived
of a decent education system, be dropping out? This is probable and already
happening and not only due to poverty. Will the health services that are already
losing their prime staff members and that have scant supplies of medicines
available; be able to cope with those in dire need? This also seems unlikely.
Man hours of paid work opportunity are the only immediate short-term answer to
the province’s problems, whether these are natural resources based, infrastructure
based, or community based. However, the 2006 IRA is unlikely to satisfy the
existing spending needs of the provincial budgets and however humanitarian based
the provincial executives motivations are, the budgets will just not stretch that far.
Current estimates are that the province will receive P415.3 million for 2006 and at
the present budget spending rate; this will be some P27 million short of the P442.5
million required. Of course, pruning of budgets will happen and some of the
development projects that are intended to assist, such as Governor Daza’s “Food
Security Project” or the “Galutan Housing Project” may be shelved.
With the province ‘importing’ 65% of its basic foods and most provincial agricultural
activities stagnant, there is a dire need to reduce this external dependence and also
to rebuild the agricultural system as quickly as possible. Short-term agricultural
benefits can be made, but only through a responsible NGO system that will pick up
the pieces of the failed municipal and agricultural support system. Autonomy is
independence and all strive for this, yet the autonomy of the civil service based
agricultural sector has failed the people and should be amended. Some municipalities
have shown improvements in vegetable production and this is to be applauded. More
please. However, it may be time to pose the question, as to whether or not the
province can be a major food producing area and accept that it is best suited for
non-food production.
Alternatives? In Northern Samar, other than radical ideas there are none, other
than what already exists and these certainly need to further development, although
the provincial ‘balance of payments’ and certain individuals would gain, few low-
income families would in the short-term.
Soil-Mapping: Without ‘soil-mapping’1 to establish the base condition and fertility of
the province’s soil structure, farmers, land-owners and agricultural development
1
Soil-mapping: The process of testing the fertility and condition of the soil, to be able to
determine the areas where suitable crop production can be carried out.
Summary
agencies are working in the dark and the province’s agriculture will continue to
decline.
Rice: In most areas of the province the soils are no
longer suitable for rice production, yet the ‘cultural’
demand for local rice pervades. That many are
changing to alternative ‘permanent’ crops shows this
loss of confidence.
It is only in the delta areas that rice production can
achieve expectations and it is these areas alone that
should be supported with development projects. With
average yields of 1.5 tonnes to the hectare, most farmers are making a loss, as it
requires a yield of 2.5 tonnes to the hectare to be in profit.
Corn: With average yields of corn being less than 500 kilograms to the hectare, this
can only be a cultural or catch crop, as at these levels of production, corn is not
worth growing and is certainly not profitable. Corn will tolerate the acid soil, but
there are probably nutrients such as boron or phosphorous missing from the soil
structure and without these minerals, corn does not thrive.
The alternative crop of peanut should be further investigated, as much of the
coastal area soil is suitable for this leguminous plant and the Filipino love of roasted
and candied peanuts make this a good crop to consider.
It is known that abaca production, even at its present rate can yield P21,000 per
hectare per annum and competes well with rice production that yields P11,000 per
hectare per annum, at its present rate. It therefore makes some sense to
industrialise abaca production and use the increase in income to buy in the required
food crops.
Coconut: Further analysis has shown that the number of coconut trees
per hectare stands at 60, whereas 100 trees per hectare is expected
for successful productivity. This again shows the poor investment by
the coconut plantation owners. By improving the local variety and
cleaning out the 9.13% senile trees and improving the non-productive
coconut tree percentage from its 14.4% to reduce this to 5.0% and plant up the
large open spaces in the coconut groves.
The PCA only wants to see the hybrid trees planted, whilst the owners and tenants
will not tolerate these; somewhere there must be a compromise. Coconut production
is probably only at 60.0% of what it could be and the non-productive trees reduce
this by a further 15.0%, leaving only 46% of the coconut lands productive. Whether
or not the local processing plant could deal with the extra production is not known,
but they might be encouraged to increase capacity.
Abaca: There is some confusion in the provincial abaca production
information, with varying sources having different statistics. In depth
analysis shows that in all probability, there are approximately 45 to 46
thousand hectares of abaca planted. The NSO statistics are probably
Summary
nearest, with the local FIDA office not seeming to have much idea of the provincial
abaca plantation.
Whatever the true statistics are, it is clear that the potential of abaca planting is
only at 50.0% and the production of abaca fibre is also only at 50.0% of potential.
There is wide scope to improve both of these. However, low cost stripping machines
are greatly needed to aid primary processing and greater ‘fair trading’ should also
be high on the list. Most of all, it is the urgent need for the province to benefit by
value adding, within its own borders, by having some ability to pulp and export its
own product.
At present estimation the value of the 35,000 tonnes of dried fibre that leaves the
province is P875 million [assuming a low kilogram value of P25]. The traders and
hauliers are those that profit and yet the industrialising of the province’s abaca
industry and construction of a processing plant, could turn around the economics of
this province.
The levy that the provincial government wanted to charge the traders would have
partly been used to assist much needed further development of the abaca industry,
but is not to be, as FIDA have not allowed this. The rapid increase in diseases of
abaca in other provinces is worrying and great effort is being made to keep these
under control in this province. There is talk of genetically engineering the abaca
strains to help eradicate the disease problems and this is much needed if the
provinces abaca industry is to survive and prosper.
Pili: The increased yet small number of people that would benefit from
Pili production and processing still makes further development
worthwhile; as part of a province wide watershed reforestation
programme [with other tree species] there would be many rewards. It
was this VSO volunteer that pointed out the potential problems of the
Pili industry to Governor Daza, as it had become a fashionable ‘project’ for many and
was likely to be overrun by opportunists. Governor Daza immediately implemented a
‘Provincial Pili Development Council’ to monitor and control the development. Since
that time, PACAP have joined the drive to promote and improve the Pili industry and
it is hoped that this will show province wide benefits.
Cattle: The ideal grazing for the ‘Brahman’ type of cattle makes
this province a model area for livestock keeping. Course grazing
it may be, but with the crop residues available and rearing
systems already existing that would hasten production, this
province could become a major producer of quality meat, to supply the metropolitan
areas with quality meat on a regular basis. The average yearly increase 3.9% in
cattle numbers shows that there is support from the farmers and this should be
capitalised upon and cattle dispersals increased.
Summary
Goats: It is unfortunate that Nortehanons do not have the taste
for goat meat, as this could be a cheaper source of protein and
would make use of the many areas of grazing and forage that are
available and unused. These little creatures mature and fatten
quickly and are ideal for low income families. There is a large
market for goats in Calbuyog and efforts could be made to service this market.
Swine: As with many areas, the provincial swineherd has seen a

rapid decline, not only in overall numbers, but also in the
provinces breeding herd. It is true that the provincial economics
do not support intensive swine rearing systems, yet the native /
crossbred type, do very well here, mostly foraging for
themselves with small amounts of inputs. Most of all, it is the provincial ‘breeding
herd’ that must be rebuilt.
The Marine Sector: Despite being a province with large

expanses of coastal fishing and spawning areas, the province
fails to provide sufficient table fish to feed the population and
approximately 80.0% of the fish eaten is imported although
there are seasonal fluctuations. Fishermen will state that their catch has reduced
by 50% over the last decade and this rate is likely to increase. Worst of all, the
brood fish are disappearing at an alarming rate and this does not bode well for the
incomes or tables of the province.
With the increasing interest in the farming of bangus fish comes a potential
pollution problem, if allowed to expand unchecked. Added to this, some of the
bangus farming project are financed by private or municipal money and there will be
little gains for the low-income folk that require income improvement and the waste
from these farms may pollute prime fishing or spawning areas.
Add in the growing importance of abalone farming, the increasing interest in sea
grasses and the local squid of which all are in good demand and highly exportable,
the potential for the marine sector is not so bleak.
Aquaculture of tilapia is increasing in the province with the support of BFAR and
there is potential to increase this many fold. This also has suitable short-term yield
potential.
However, it is the fishermen in their small boats, which ply the inshore waters that
are not only the cause of marine depletion, they are also part of the cure and this
must be addressed.
The Crab Industry: For many years, the illegal harvesting of
undersized crablets, for transportation to Manila and other
metro areas, has carried on unabated and this has cost the
industry dearly. With encouragement, Governor Daza helped
persuade BFAR and an NGO to form the ‘Provincial Mud Crab
Summary
Development Council’ and they started to get the concerned municipalities together.
With the arrival of PACAP, the focus switched to an integrated approach and it may
well be that the days of the illegal harvesters are numbered and that the province
may at last benefit by at least P50 million from the potential, each year. BFAR and
NGOs need each other for this and sensible credit programmes installed to allow
farming of these much sought after species.
Savings: In the ‘cash [or black] economy’ of the province,

where living is often hand to mouth and where cash savings,
if any exist are very small, there is a need to install a
‘savings mentality’ amongst the low and marginal-income
families. There is always a demand for credit for this or that project and in the
past, NGOs have suffered heavy losses to their budgets and many have now stopped
credit schemes. In poorer countries returns from credit schemes are reasonable
good and this is because, prior to credit, potential beneficiaries have to show their
ability to save regularly for many months, during which they undergo training for the
project they wish credit for.
There should also be realisation that paid work opportunity in the province is
dominated by the weather system and there are several months of the year, when
‘work opportunity’ decreases, as would the ability to repay scheduled loans.
Without including consideration for the work opportunity cycle, NGOs will always
fail to recoup their credit outlay. Bangladesh, one of the poorest nations in the
world and once described by Henry Kissenger as “The basket case of the world”,
dependent on external handouts for many years, has very good credit systems for
the low-income households. The NGOs BRAC, Grahman Bank and RDRS have very
high rates of loan repayment, despite the floods and the droughts that affect the
country. Their approach is holistic, includes savings schemes, progressive loans and
training support and their credit outlays are in many millions of Dollars. RDRS, the
smallest of these three large NGOs, had at one time $5 million available for loan
dispersals and their recovery rate was at 97%. Anyone wishing to study loan systems
for low income families would do to visit the main NGOs in Bangladesh and learn
from them.
From some of the potential development projects listed, it becomes clear that a
level of municipal and provincial governance is required and this is where active
NGOs could have an impact. There are enough NGOs that achieve little, except
maybe at barangay level, what is required in these instances is a provincial approach
that pulls together the administration and governance required and it is probable
that the provincial government, PACAP and others may appreciate this special
intervention. That privateer’s profit is fine; that the low-income families get left
out [again] is not.
The personalities within some of the existing NGOs in the province, make it hard for
any level of co-operation and as some of the NGO executives have revolved around
Summary
several of the NGOs, they mostly know each other’s business. NGOs will always
compete for donors, areas or beneficiaries and this is usual. However, in this
province, some NGO executives will not meet in the same room or speak to each
other and there is an undertow of the Brotherhood of Masons that has an unhealthy
influence. As one of the donor agencies is also staffed by ‘Bros’, biases are inbuilt
and unhealthy also.
Points Arising:
There is growing support amongst some international development and business
‘experts’ that the Philippines should be left to its own destructive devices and that
it might, in the long term, be kinder to allow the Philippines to collapse, sooner
rather than later.
Given all of the facets of a ‘developing’ country and reflecting on most ‘modern’
democracies, is not the Philippines only going through the same stages that other
countries have experienced, on their way to stability? Many countries have gone
through the civil strife, the corruption, the politicking and the environmental
destruction before emerging, albeit slowly, onto a more stable system of society, so
why the fuss and pretence?
Of greatest concern must be the decline in the education standards of the
Philippines, with both the aptitude and the attitude of the teaching staff to be able
to educate the next generations to be part of a stable society. More and more, the
conclusion could be reached that we are letting down our youngsters and they will
rightly, blame us for this neglect.
Adding ignorance to the cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity will only
produce generations of discontented labourers.
With the increasing pressure on incomes, caused mainly by the rise in the cost of
living [fuels, E-VAT etc] and the increasing competition for any work, with more
teaching staff [and other professionals] electing to seek posts in the Americas or
Europe and it is likely that these countries will take the cream of the teaching
staff. Many teachers also invest in small stores, hoping to create extra income and
some neglect their school duties for their stores or other small businesses.
Some university staff have opted to form NGOs to earn extra income and
concentration of time is often centred on these. It is well and good if these wish to
use their intelligence to aid the province, yet it is often personal income generation
that is the motivation.
Parents seem to be little concerned whether or not their children go to school at all
and only those that have achieved some educational standard seem to see benefits
of educating their own children. Looking at some of the colleges, it appears that the
students are little more than numbers or labourers to further the career of the
tutor. Some tutors do not have the legal right to teach, not having passed the board
examination required, whilst others put greater priority on attending seminars,
fiestas and social occasions rather than being in the classroom with their pupils.
Summary
In the barangays, it is often the mother that compels the children to school, seeking
to give her children a better opportunity than she achieved, especially with their
daughters. In a patriarchal society, it is the women that determine the future and it
is mainly girls that are in secondary education. It is the working mother in the
barangay that ensures the basic food on the table and who often finds the money
for school expenses. However, this need to work is often at the cost of educating
the older daughter, who has to stay at home to deputise for the mother and who
often, becomes the surrogate mother or servant in her own household.
The low cost food shortages will worsen, due both to a decline in agriculture and its
ability to be able to produce enough for an expanding population, or the capacity of
the soil to be able to produce, and also because of the rising cost of basic
commodities such as crude oil. Add in the seasonal fluctuations in paid work
availability and market prices rising when work opportunity it at its least, the
household economical situation must decline, with its domino affect on health and
other social issues.
This province along with Eastern Samar suffers from a cyclical poverty dilemma
every year during the months November through March, when weather related work
opportunity declines and families face many shortages. Many fishing families go long
periods without putting to sea and only those that have backyard alternatives get by
unscathed. Construction and agricultural workers often suffer long periods without
work, as construction sites and fields become waterlogged.
It is becoming clearer that it is the cyclical work opportunity fluctuations that are a
root cause of the low-income and marginal-income families failing to advance. These
families spend seven months of the year recovering from the reduced work
opportunities and only tread water. A seasonal ‘Food for Community Service’
programme may decrease the incidences of poverty and this has been recommended
to the provincial executive.
Adding inadequate health and social services to ignorance, poor education
services, a high population expansion rate and lack of opportunity for the
low-income families will produce many generations of malnourished and
unemployed casual labourers.
In Northern Samar, a province that relies heavily on the importation of basic foods
and commodities, the cost of living and an increasing poverty situation may drive
more people to the anti-government activists, yet they will never obtain the moral
majority or numbers to take action. Yet, we already see the summary ‘justice’
carried out by the anti-government activists on behalf of citizens that cannot
achieve alternative satisfaction.
Add to this, the extra burden caused by the fuel price increases and the
implementation of the E-VAT laws, the anti-government activists may find that their
numbers swell and in October 2005, they already hold rallies to declare the onset of
‘The Revolution’. It may be wise not to underestimate the attraction of the low-
Summary
income earners to giving tacit support for a movement that may be seen to herald
their cause.
Respectively submitted
Summary
Lessons Learned:
Having visited many communities in several countries of the world, I became more
and more dissatisfied with the excessive formal structure used when conducting
surveys and interviews and was often frustrated by the quality of the resulting
information gathered and the gradual diminishing interest or fatigue of the survey
enumerators. Also, I realised that in order to carry out similar and repetitive
interviews, the enumerators also had to be able to enjoy the experiences.
Having accompanied many government and NGO staff visiting communities for
information gathering, I have always been shocked by the way in which the
canvassers lead the questions, not allowing the community members time to evaluate
their personal responses. This often seems to be a deliberate action, [a] to hasten
the process and [b] to elicit the responses required. Time taken is wasted, time
given is productive.
Too often surveys become a clinical gathering of facts and figures and we forget
the human side of visits to communities. More often than not, communities look
forward to visits, as it breaks the daily routine. When the canvassers are low level
employees of government or NGOs, they often have a tendency to establish
dominance over the community members to set the social status of the visitors.
Surveys can and should be directed at the various ‘livelihood’ community types, as
attempting to draw conclusions from a ‘one size fits all’ or macro survey cannot work.
There is no comparison between remote agricultural or upland communities to urban
and sub-urban communities and depending on the type of programme in hand; surveys
should be specific to be able to refine the lifestyles present.
However, any survey at micro level, throws up many variables, all of which are
pertinent to future development, but not pertinent at the time of a ‘primary survey’.
The definition of primary is important in development planning, as no organisation
has the financial or human resources to carry out a survey that encompasses every
variable, even if it is known what these variables are. In development terms, a
primary survey provides specific information within a specific set of parameters
that reflect the end users needs. Although a primary survey throws of many
variables and anomalies, this is neither the time nor place to follow these up.
This is where ‘secondary surveys’ fit into the sequence of development advancement.
The primary survey will provide usable information that assists development
agencies to determine physical and social areas in which they would wish to become
involved. A secondary survey can be targeted at the results of the primary survey
and fill out detail that will allow specific focuses to be undertaken. For example, a
primary survey takes place at a certain time of year and may not account for
seasonal changes and it important to know these, as they have an affect on the daily
lives of all community members.
Lessons
1
An example of this is the seasonal change in Northern Samar from October through
March each year. Both November and December produce, on average, more than
500mm of rainfall, with January’s average at 425mm. Historical data shows that
December has many times produced more than 900mm of rainfall [6 times in 35
years]. The consequences of these amounts of rainfall on low-income families are
manifold and can affect any survey taken at this time of year.
Too often visits are arranged well in advance and officials often are more numerous
than the community leaders and protocol and hierarchy, almost tribalism takes over.
Add in that many surveys are taken in places that are easy or convenient to get to
and these communities become used to the visits and are well rehearsed in the
expectations. This becomes an inquisitorial situation, where fear plays a minor role
and it is probable that the respondents say what they think that you want to hear,
rather than what we, as canvassers want to know.
In Bangladesh and Nepal, we spend many weeks trekking to the remote and river
island communities and frequently stayed several days and although these were
often first visits, rapports were built. Of course, being a foreigner helped, as there
was always interest in the looks of a foreigner, although these communities always
worried that they would have to prepare special foods. Many weird and wonderful
foods were eaten and many strange sleeping experiences found. In the Philippines, it
seems that the canvassers want to leave as quickly as possible and this is usually
very obvious and insulting to the community members.
When devising the VSO survey in 2003, we had no choice at the start, but to use
the informal contacts that were available, although formal visits were required for
municipal and provincial leaders; these became more courtesy visits rather than
meetings.
Above all, the survey format was constructed to give as wide a picture of a
household or community as possible and to gather the information that was thought
necessary to give the most comprehensive picture given the short duration of a
visit, in order that should the end user wish to be involved in a project in any of the
communities, it had as much basic information as needed to be know. Any extra
knowledge required could be gathered on follow-up or secondary visits.
Surprisingly, it was often the children that acted as ice breakers, as their curiosity
at seeing a foreigner led to some humour and this became easy to build on, to create
a rapport with the adults. The size of the nose and hair colour seems to fascinate
the kids, but I noticed that the whiteness of the skin often scared the animals that
I was attempting to treat. It was similar to the things that happened at the start of
training sessions in the communities.
I would often compliment a woman on her hat and this added some humour, but,
more importantly, eased tension. This was suitable for the Philippines and South
America, but not so in Bangladesh or remote Africa, where any remark made to a
woman is strictly taboo.
Lessons
2
All were pleased to answer questions about the family assets or farming and fishing
matters. Asking about incomes is obviously more difficult and very few families keep
track of incomes in these, hand to mouth, cash economies. It often takes a few
minutes for a farmer or fisherman to remember how much he earns each month, but
we always managed to get to a figure. Asking the lady of the house about her
earnings was more difficult, as she was often shy to discuss these matters in front
of her male partner. Many will say that this informal method does not produce
usable figures, yet the results usually matched each other; not only in the
households, but comparative to differing communities. Questions about incomes
were always left until last, as the people were by this time more relaxed.
Part of every community survey was always dedicated to enquiring about the basic
development needs of these communities and they were asked to determine which
three development needs were priorities. These usually were improved
infrastructure, livelihoods and improved health facilities.
Also part of any canvassing must include the women’s issues and also the views of
the teenagers were usually sought, as they are the next generation of adults.
Interviewing the community elders, be they elected or dynastic figures had always
to be judged at the start of an interview, as it was clear, at times, that sometimes
hierarchical status was visible and was dominated by one person, or one family.
Tribal systems are dynastic and insult can easily be taken and any opportunity to
carry out an in depth survey, can be lost.
Likewise, as often happened in Bangladesh and the Philippines, the communities are
dominated by the community chairman [Bangladesh] or barangay captain [Philippines]
and they wish to be the only one to answer questions. If the dominance was too
strong, we usually made excuses and left, as any data gathered was of little value.
Even at household level, some householders would either refuse to take part or were
frightened to say much, if the community leaders were present.
In all communities, it became clear that training in record keeping skills and co-
ordination of records is of prime importance and although there were usually
records available, these were often scattered amongst the community and had to be
chased down.
This problem was often reflected at district or municipal level, where most records
were out of date or missing. How municipalities in the Philippines keep track of the
statistics for good governance is difficult to understand. Too often, we found
municipal statistics completely at variance with the facts from the communities and
we came to rely on the community statistics more than those available at higher
levels.
Even though the community statistics showed where inputs were most needy, they
had very little ability to raise funds from a higher authority, even for malnourished
children or the safe delivery of babies. Potable water systems required urgent
Lessons
3
repairs to reduce the infection levels or to repair leaking school buildings. The
communities were always at the mercy of the political whims of those in higher
authority and it was tempting to advise them to be more reliant upon themselves and
less so on the higher authority. However, although all NGOs carry out Participatory
Rural Appraisal [PRA] and have governance projects, little benefit is seen in the
barangays and these seem to be paper exercises to make an impression on the donor
agencies.
Like businesses, all NGOs are competitive and this is healthy, but the lack of co-
ordination or co-operation between the NGOs and between the NGOs and local
governments serves nobodies interest, least of all the potential beneficiaries. Add
to this that some NGOs do not gain accreditation and this further antagonises the
situation between NGOs and local governments.
Above all, there seems to be a very large gap in community organising, whether it is
at barangay or municipal level. The absence of community special interest groups
that meet regularly and that have active projects is very disturbing and the
longevity of NGOs active in a community has to be questioned. Few have exit
strategies, even if they comprehend what these are, as it seems to be convenient to
adopt a community for many years, maintain a loose presence and put down roots;
this is irresponsible.
After five years, working with women’s and mixed groups in Bangladesh, I was often
approached and told, “Thank you, but we do not need you anymore, we can stand
alone.” A very large NGO [BRAC] and the World Bank conducted research in
Bangladesh, which showed that the minimum amount of time to ensure a community’s
self-sufficiency was four years and nine months. Adding an extra three months as
part of a six month exit strategy was seen to have worked very well. However, these
groups had been well organised and had achieved discipline with money management,
unlike the groups in the Philippines.
Another point that rises to the surface, is the confusion caused by poor poverty
indicators that many organisations use and the absence of genuine or co-ordinated
monitoring systems. Assumptions are made that are often incorrect and misleading;
or deliberately abused for the sake of time saving. Added to this, too many poverty
indicating systems use complicated ranking systems and indexes, which may be
understood by mathematicians, but are incomprehensible to lay NGO staff. When
agencies decide to co-ordinate and simplify their ranking systems and poverty
indicating criteria, they will do a great service to the relief and development
organisations.
Lessons
4
Bullet points of findings:
Of all of the municipalities surveyed, not one had a programme for physically or
mentally challenged children,
Only one municipality had any programme for support for the handicapped adults
and this was giving P500 per month to a few individuals,
No municipality has any programme of promoting the importance of elementary
education,
Only one municipality had an active literacy programme for out of school youth
and adults,
Few municipalities have validated statistics and seem unable to grasp the need to
collect and store information for planning or monitoring,
Where municipal surveys or monitoring is carried out, it is usually the same
barangays that are targeted and this has become common practice amongst both
municipal offices and NGOs,
Although many municipal offices have computers, they are mostly used for letter
writing and few staff members have the capability to [a] use databases, [b]
implement information management systems and [c], analyse statistics for use in
planning or monitoring,
Many barangay council members stated that very few municipal staff visit their
barangays and once a year is not unusual and this only socially, at the barangay
fiesta time,
Many upland barangays are difficult to reach, as some only have access by
carabao trails or by river and this difficulty is exacerbated by heavy rain
between October and February,
Although many barangays have usable information, this is loosely gathered and
not focused in one central area,
Few barangay council members have simple bookkeeping skills, often having to
rely on a municipal bookkeeper and thus losing control of their accounts,
Few barangay council members understood the concept of planning for
development within a barangay, be it for infrastructure, waste management,
health needs, potable water, livelihood development etc,
Few barangay council members have the skills to present a proposal for barangay
development projects,
Some NGOs deliberately fail to gain accreditation at municipal or provincial level
and the provincial planning office has a very small list of known NGOs. The PPDO
has little awareness of the NGO projects, or where NGOs are active,
Lessons
5
Very few barangays have active livelihood or gender groups, although ‘on paper’
many groups exist,
Of the existing NGOs, very few have qualified staff capable of planning or
implementing a technical training programme for barangay livelihoods; often
dependent on the local university to supply the skill training, of which they have
little to offer,
The lack of community organisers at municipal, provincial or NGO level is a
restraint to development,
Many municipal and barangay staff posts are awarded to non skilled personnel
who have little interest or knowledge of the requirements of the post,
Most NGOs have experienced very low loan repayments, with one stating that
for every 100 Peso loaned, they retrieved one Peso only,
No single NGO has a beneficiaries savings scheme to supply the essential money
management skills required,
One NGO directs beneficiaries to a ‘micro finance loan’ office, to which they are
affiliated,
Some NGOs have duplicate projects with more than one donor agency,
Governor Daza is poorly supported by department heads and many much needed
projects get lost in multiple planning meetings and reams of documentation,
At its present rate of spending, the provincial government will be forced to make
cutbacks and economies in order to balance the books. This is exacerbated by
the national inflation rate, the addition of E-VAT and the higher cost of fuels,
Autonomy of the provincial agricultural and other essential offices, has reduced
the access to agricultural development for farmers and fisher-folk,
Agricultural and other government offices are overstaffed with office staff and
lack field extension officers,
The province lacks a soil map, although there is an existing laboratory capable of
soil testing,
Illegal logging is at a very high rate [DENR estimates 7.9% forest reduction per
annum] and no action is taken to reverse this situation,
There is very limited information regarding the existing marine resources,
Although Mondragon has a document stating its municipal water boundary, the
information contained in the documentation is erroneous. Pambujan and San
Roque are attempting to designate their municipal waters boundaries, yet most
municipalities are in contention over their boundaries,
The provincial government lacks a statistical analyst to correlate and interpret
information, as it is fed into the system; thus losing a valuable source of planning
and monitoring capability,
Lessons
6
The provincial and municipal governments are not always aware of what they
require from data analysis and most plans, as they exist, are reactive and not
proactive,
The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics [BAS] has one validator for the whole
province, has no working computer for information storage and retrieval and the
provincial manager is absent for long periods of time,
Improving coconut production and encouraging replacement of unproductive and
senile trees would increase income for the tenant farmers,
Industrialising and expanding abaca production would create increase income at
source,
A fair trade programme to support the raw material producers, would enhance
incomes and stabilise production,
Encouraging processors to construct an abaca processing plant would [a]
encourage greater planting, [b] add value to an important raw material, [c] give
direct access to the export market and [c] create a stable source of income to
assist balancing the high cost of importing basic fresh foods,
From the above, the most pertinent lessons that should be learnt and stand out
most of all are the following three:
♦ The great lack of community organisation,
♦ The lack of community management skills, and
♦ The lack of household money management skills.
Communities have little choice, other than to organise themselves and their own
community development projects, although they may be aided by NGOs, but
certainly ignoring the politically biased false promises made at municipal level.
Without these, most communities will continue in the rut of subsistency and in some
cases, will be left behind by those that take responsibility for their own affairs.
Lessons
7
CASE HISTORY 1:
Name: RIZA:
Age: 15, nearly 16 years
Location: Northern Samar, Region 8, Philippines
Riza; Petite, Pretty, Intelligent [top five in class], Class President, Very polite,
Very shy, Well mannered and helpful, Well liked, Very honest
Education: 3rd year highschool
Father: Fisherman / Small farmer / sole breadwinner
Mother: Housewife
Family: Two sisters, two brothers, grandparents & aunty
Older brother married & working in Manila
Dwelling: Roadside nipa house on stilts by steep river bank
The parents and children, plus the grandparents and aunty live in the house
on stilts
Services: No electricity and communal water pump supply
Income: Very small amounts and only in emergencies from older brother in Manila
Aunty contributes very small amounts occasionally from roadside vending
No income but a few vegetables from a small upland farm
Some from fishing but lost own boat in storm and dependent on sharing a
small boat without an engine. Dependent also on good weather
Dependants: Grandparents, one sister and small brother
Date: Early September 2005
Background: Father has not been fishing for more than ten days, due to very rough
weather at sea and very heavy rain preventing fishing in the river
Situation 1: At this date, the family have no cash resources [for one week] and there is
only rice in the house to eat. No vegetables, fruits or protein sources.
Weather still very severe, with heavy rain causing local flooding. There are
no livestock assets to eat or sell and the whole family is hungry. Father has
gone to the farm in the hills to dig a few local root vegetables to bring
home; he has been away for three days.
Situation 2: The family will have to borrow money or ask for credit from the local
stores, knowing that in this village, mainly dependent on fishing incomes;
more than 50% of the households are experiencing the same problems.
Situation 3: Riza has not been able to attend school because there is no money for
transport or money to get food for her midday meal. Riza cannot buy the
sanitary napkins that she needs during her menstruation and is ashamed.
CASE HISTORY 2:
Name: CAPPELA:
Age: 12 years
Cappela; Small, underweight, very shy, average intelligence
Education: 1st year highschool
Father: Dead
Mother: Moved to another area and has children by another man
Family: No sisters, one brother
Older brother drives a pedicab in local municipality
Dwelling: Nipa hut behind the house of a distant relative
Services: Communal water pump, no electricity
Income: Very small amounts from the brother and none other
Date: Early September 2005
Background: Another brother aged 9 years collapsed and died in the 5th grade classroom
that he attended, at the local public elementary school.
Situation 1: The children have for practical purposes been abandoned by the mother
and relied solely on the income provided by the older brother. As a
consequence of this, the children ate very poor food, with little nutritious
value and the younger brother became weak and also dehydrated.
Situation 2: On learning of the death, the sister attempted to contact the mother for
support, but found the mother absent and was told that she would be
absent for many days.
Situation 3: The sister attended the municipal government building to try and access
emergency funds held by the Social Welfare office to purchase a casket
and pay for funeral. Despite the social welfare department having funds
available for a situation such as this, the girl was refused assistance.
Situation 4: The sister appealed to the teacher of her class for help and was directed
to the principal, who is a Sister of the Sacred Heart Foundation and this
Sister immediately gave the P1500 from her personal money to the girl and
assisted her to gain financial support from the provincial social welfare
office. The provincial social welfare office has not, as yet, paid the money.
Situation 5: The Sacred Heart Foundation immediately moved the girl into a teacher’s
house, so that she could be given emotional support and be provided a
reasonable diet until it is considered that she can again, if possible, live
with the older brother.
Because of this, the school is considering ways in which to better ensure
that all of the children in their school have the basic vitamins and minerals
available, as they have noticed that many of the children are losing weight.
They also have ensured that sufficient potable water is available in every
class.
CASE HISTORY 3:
Name: Maricel:
Age: 12 years
Maricel; Small, underweight, lively, above average intelligence
Education: 6th grade elementary school
Father: Upland farmer – abaca and corn
Mother: Died, due to haemorrhaging during childbirth
Family: Six, Father, two sisters and two brothers all below 11 years old
Dwelling: Nipa hut perched on the side of a small hill, near to a river.
Services: Communal spring-fed water faucet, no electricity
Income: Father’s income only from abaca
Mother used to make handicrafts from abaca for extra household
income; now this is lost
Date: June 2005
Background: A ‘normal’ upland barangay family, dependent on hand to mouth
existence.
Situation 1: The barangay in which they live is 22 kilometres from the poblacion of
Mondragon, reachable only with great difficulty on foot, as it is
impossible for even rugged motorcycles to navigate the deeply muddied
tracks. Trekking from the nearest neighbouring barangay takes 50
minutes.
Situation 2: Since the death of the mother, the father has struggled to be able to
tend to the normal family needs of his children and all are suffering
from malnutrition.
Situation 3: Maricel and her friends trek daily to the neighbouring barangay to
attend the elementary school, as her own barangay no longer has any
schooling facilities, due to a typhoon destroying the small elementary
school eight years ago.
Situation 4: The father appealed to a sister that lives in the Mondragon poblacion
to take the baby and Maricel, so that the baby could be cared for and
Maricel could attend highschool after completing elementary sixth
grade. The sister refused, stating that she had many problems of her
own to contend with.
Situation 5: The father appealed to the municipal social services for help and
support and was ignored and has received nothing.
The barangay captain’s wife has shown an interest to adopt the baby, if
Maricel also can be ‘adopted’ to act as maid and the father may have
little choice, other than to accept. This will mean that Maricel’s
education would cease and she would lose any chance of gaining the
higher education that she deserves.
The young barangay captain has shown an interest in Maricel for
several months and Maricel’s neighbours are concerned for her moral
safety.
No agency or organisation has been able to offer any form of moral or
physical support to this family and it is likely that the children will
become casualties of a system that has little interest beyond paved
roads and political motives.
CASE HISTORY 4:
Name: Hosef:
Age: 23 years
Location: Catarman, Northern Samar, Region 8, Philippines
Hosef: Skinny, underweight, tired
Education: Dropped out during elementary school
Father: Dead
Mother: Gone to Manila and lives with another man and makes no contact with
her children
Family: Two sisters and a brother
Dwelling: Stilted Nipa hut in a nipa swamp area near the central market.
Services: Communal pump 400 metres from dwelling, no electricity
Income: Was a pedicabs driver, now casual worker
Date: November 2005
Background: Came from Mondragon after mother left for manila to look for work to
support his siblings.
Situation 1: All pedicabs drivers experienced less customers due to the increasing
economic problems and the pedicabs that he hired daily, was subject to
a price hike for hiring.
Situation 2: Two of his siblings have had to quit school to help scavenge for casual
work and buy food. His brother and the older sister, who acts as
surrogate mother. She is 15 and wants to get married to a market
stallholder.
Situation 3: All have lost weight, are malnourished and cannot afford new nipa
panels to replace the old on their dwelling roof. Without small amounts
of food given by a stallholder, they would probably starve.
Situation 4: Hosef appealed to the social services for food support for the
youngest siblings and was refused.
Situation 5: The youngest child, a girl, was taken to hospital severely dehydrated
and malnourished. The hospital was only able to provide an overnight
stay with a saline solution drip, for which they made no charge.
Hosef admits that he is stealing from the market and other places to
get food and fuelwood.
The police questioned his younger brother but released him after 24
hours.
The older sister has used prostitution to get some money, but she is
not very popular with the men, being short and squat.
CASE HISTORY 5:
Name: Marivic:
Age: 12 years
Location: An island of Northern Samar, Region 8, Philippines
Marivic: Skinny, underweight and emotionally disturbed
Education: Elementary school 6th grade
Father: Working in Manila - has not been heard from for four years
Mother: Working in Manila - has not been heard from for four years
Family: One sister and a brother
Dwelling: Was a Native dwelling in a fishing village on an island and now with
temporary foster parents on the same island but away from the barangay.
Services: Communal pump 200 metres from dwelling, no electricity
Income: None provided by the parents for four years
Date: August 2005
Background: Parents moved to manila to work in order to support the family, leaving
the children to be cared for by the grandparents.
Situation 1: Marivic at the age of 12 trekked the five kilometres from the barangay
and collapsed on the doorstep of the Mayor’s house. The Mayor called a
doctor and after examination, she advised the Mayor that the girl had
been sexually active and from appearances regularly sexually active.
Situation 2: The Mayor gave the girl shelter and questioned her as to her history.
Within a short time, the girl broke down and told her story of her
grandfather continuously sexually abusing her since the age of five years
old, or so she thought.
Situation 3: Attempts to contact the parents in Manila have failed and the barangay
officials have been warned to watch for signs of trouble with the other
siblings. Marivic said that it was only she who had been abused.
Situation 4: To date, no action has been taken against the grandfather, as he
disappeared from the island and has not been heard of or seen since.
Situation 5: Marivic has been placed with a local family known to the Mayor and they
act as temporary foster parents until matters can be resolved.
No counselling facilities or staff are available for girls that have
suffered sexual abuse and time as a healer is the only medicine available.
Marivic attends a new school and may be recovering to some degree.
CASE HISTORY 6:
Name: Ruth:
Age: 25 years
Location: Lavezares, Northern Samar, Region 8, Philippines
Ruth: Medium weight, naïve,
Education: Completed Elementary school and to 2nd year highschool
Father: Dead, lost at sea with his boat
Mother: Housewife
Family: One sister and two brothers
Dwelling: Part block; part native dwelling in a fishing barangay.
Services: Communal pump, electricity
Income: Ruth has had various low-income jobs
Date: October 2005
Background: Lived with a carpenter for six months until she became pregnant and he
left to work in Manila, where he now has another family
Situation 1: Ruth has worked in a fast food joint, a supermarket and two restaurants
to earn enough money to keep herself and feed her daughter, who stays
with her grandmother.
Situation 2: Her jobs have been lowly paid and live in, to act as maid after hours. She
would receive one day a month off from work and would spend the day
with her daughter. Her daughter does not recognise her as her mother
any more and is dependent solely on her grandmother.
Situation 3: Due to the economic situation in the province the restaurant went out of
business, but the brother of the owner expressed an interest to ‘help’
Ruth. He agreed to support her through a one-year secretarial college
course in return for certain favours. To help her restart and support her
daughter, Ruth had no other option available.
Situation 4: Ruth has found some part-time work to earn a little money for her
daughter’s upkeep.
Situation 5: Ruth’s sponsor has become very sick and no longer wants her and has told
her that he will have to stop supporting her after the month has ended.
Ruth has swallowed her dignity and has become a ‘call girl’, visiting men in
the evenings at their hideaways or in motels and now makes enough money
from this to support herself and her child. She hates what she is doing
but likes the money and states that after she has qualified at college she
will quit being a call girl and move to Manila for work.
Her mother does not know what she does but enjoys the share of Ruth’s
earnings.
The Statistics of Northern Samar
Mapped for Easy Reference
Northern Samar Statistics Mapped
There are many documents that refer to the statistics of Northern Samar and many of these
documents are accompanied by maps that provide a visual reference of the data sheets. This
documentation is intended to provide an ‘at a glance’ guide to the provincial statistics, allowing ease
of access.
The maps shown in this documentation are the latest available, although maps for earlier years are
also available.
For all of these maps, Excel databases are available to provide more detail for analysis.
The province has 24 municipalities, 20 of which are mainland and 4 are island municipalities. It has a
population expansion rate of 2.6972% per annum, the highest in the region and one of the highest of
the nation. The population as of 2005 was 573,554 and is expected to reach one million by 2025. It
is estimated that 18% of the population has left the province to earn a living elsewhere. The
province in 2005 imported 65% of the fresh foods that it requires to feed the population, and
analysis shows that agricultural food crops are on the decline. Copra production is the province’s
main income generator, with the production of abaca increasing yearly. Other than a small coconut
oil processing plant, the province has no other processing capacity.
1
THE PROVINCE OF NORTHERN SAMAR

Northern Samar lies between co-ordinates 124’07’20” to 125’20’18’ East and
12’43’0” and 12’12’0” North on the international maps.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Actual supply at 2005
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Biri
2004 Leprosy Incidences
Pambujan
Lav ezares Palapag
San Laoang
Capul
Allen Rosario Jose Mondragon San Ñ Ñ
Catarman Roque
Victoria Mapanas
Bobon
Ñ Catubig Ñ
San
Antonio ÑSan Ñ Gamay
Isidro
Lope de Vega
Ñ Lapinig
Las Nav as
San
Vicente Silv ino
Lobos
Biri 2004 High Dengue Fever Incidences
Pambujan
Lavezares Palapag
San Laoang
Capul ÑAllen Rosario Jose Mondragon San
Ñ Ñ
Ñ Catarman Roque
Victoria
Ñ Bobon
Ñ Ñ Catubig
Mapanas
San
Antonio Gamay
San
Isidro Lapinig
Lope de Vega Las Navas
San
Vicente Silvino
Lobos
40
41
42
43
44
The Region by Map
In a provincial statistical analysis, readers may wish to compare the province with
the other provinces in Region VIII. The following maps will allow the reader a quick
reference.
The Region - Mapped

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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
5
The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
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The Region - Mapped
40

Anatomy of A Province

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Anatomy of A Province

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Welcome to a look at the statistics that make up

Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

The map on the left

The map on the left

Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

[Favourite hanging out places for the Nortehanons on sunny weekends.]

Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

Introduction to the Province of Northern Samar

Comparison on Various Livelihoods per Barangay Type by Percentage

P1000 P2000 P3000 P4000 P5000 P6000

P7000 P8000 P9000 P10000 P11000 P12000

Partner's % Main Earner's % Comparison of Monthly Household Income Sources

Coastal Barangay - Average Household Monthly Income 2003 by

10% 6.69% 5.85% 5.57%

Inland Delta Barangay - Average Household Monthly Income 2003 by

4.64% 3.97% 4.64%

Upland Barangay - Average Household Monthly Income 2003 by

All Barangays P1000 to P5000 per Month Average Income by Percentage

Landless Owns Leases All Barangays Land Tenure by Percentage

50% 46.81% 46.81% 46.81%

10% 6.91% 6.38%

Upland Barangay Household Land Tenure 2003 by Percentage

Annual Poverty Cycle of the Province:

Thus, if work opportunities and consequentially incomes are reduced, there is a

-2% -1.58% -1.59%

Livelihood sector Elementary & Highschool Elementary

Movement from Temporary to Permanent Crops Trends

These changes in crop production reflect a greater need to diversify in order to

Northern Samar's Pineapple Production (Tonnes)

NS Abaca Production (Tonnes)

Coastal Inland delta Upland Malnourished by Barangay Type- VSO 2003

40% 34.38% 33.12% 32.95%

Severe, Moderate & Mildly Malnourished Overall Statistics

Las Navas 23.03%

San Vicente 20.80%

San Roque 11.79%

San Jose 9.70%

San Isidro 9.53%

Lope de Vega 8.06%

San Antoni o 6.07%

Silvi no Lobos 5.05%

Las Navas 13.87%

San Isidro 4.15%

San Roque 2.88%

San Jose 2.50%

Lope de Vega 1.70%

San Vicente 1.04%

San Antonio 0.57%

Silvino Lobos 0.05%

Barangay Residents to Health Workers

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Inland delta 227

Coastal Inland delta Upland Average Midwife's Visits to Barangays

San Isidro 16.39%

San Antonio 16.38%

San Jose 14.16%

San Vicente 13.66%

Silvino Lobos 8.85%

Las Navas 7.78%