CHAPTER 4

GATHERING OF DATA
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Northern Samar was part of Samar Province until it became an autonomous province by virtue of
Republic Act No. 4221 approved on June 19, 1965 which was offered by the late Congressman Eladio T.
Balite divided Samar into three provinces namely: Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.
Northern Samar is located on the Eastern edge of the Philippine archipelago. It is bounded on north by the
San Benardino Strait; on the west by Samar Sea; on the east by the Philippine Sea; and, on the south by
the provinces of Western and Eastern Samar.

The province has a total land area, about 42,482.8 has. are classified as:

 Commercial forest; none-commercial forest, 18,727 has.;

 Logged-over area, 29,056.20 has.;
 Reproduction bush land, 19,418 has.;
 Cogon / land, 21,583.43 has.;
 Mossy forest, 252 has.
 Plantation forest, 978.57 has.;
 Cultivation, 208,266 has.;
 Marsh / swampland, 8,936 has

Topography
The province has very ragged terrain with restricted plains and valleys. The
river valleys are low-lying and are often - interrupted by hills. These hills reach their
interior of the mainland consists of highly dissected hills and mountain peaks. Low
lying hills are found between the coastal plains of Palapag, the river valley of Gamay
and Catubig Valley.

Soil Characteristics
The soil in the province are mostly clay loam, Las Castellanas and Liberated
clay loam.

GEOGRAPHY
The mountain ranges in the province include the Crystal Mountain in
Mondragon, Mount Bubuya-on in Palapag, Mount Capoto-an in Palapag, Mount
Palihon in Las Navas, and Mount Karahaon and Mount Hibac-an in Catarman.
The major rivers are the Catubig-Las Navas River, Catarman River, Victoiria
River and the Pambujan River.

CLIMATE
The average annual rainfall in millimeters range from 136.9 in April to 529.10
in December
The average annual rainfall is 3,206.9 mm. The climate of Northern Samar
belongs to Type II with no distinct dry and wet season but with pronounced rainfall
from Oct. to Jan. The driest month is May. The province is endowed with relatively
rich and fertile soil.

HUMAN RESOURCES
The Population (1995)
The Population (2010) = 589,013
Population Density (2010) - (person per square km.) = 159
Average Growth Rate (2010) = 1.64%

Sex ratio

SEX RATIO - 105.1

INCOME
Average Family Income (2010)
301,146 286,440
20,642 pesos annually
Gross Domestic Product of GDP (2010) 61.79
Million pesos

FEMALE MALE

LANGUAGES / DIALECTS SPOKEN

About 91 percent of the population speak Waray-Waray of Lineyte-Samarnon. The Other dialects spoken
are Cebano ( 4%) Capul/ Abaknon ( 3%) , Tagalog ( 0.4%) and Others ( Ilongos and Boholano, 0.2%).
However, Most People can understand and speak English.
Religion
The people of Northern Samar are predominantly Catholics. Others belong to the Iglesia ni Kristo,
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehova’s Witnesses, Aglipayan
Church, etc.
INFRASTRUCTURES
ROADS

National Road (Concrete) = 125.51 kms

National Road (Unpaved) = 45.75 kms.
Provincial Road (Unpaved) = 216.398 kms.
Municipal Road (Concrete) = 37.348 kms.
Municipal Road (Feeder) = 257.25 kms.
Municipal Road (Under Rehab.) = 35 kms.

BRIDGES

National (Concrete) = 76 units

National (Steel) = 3 units
Provincial (Concrete) = 77 units
Provincial (Timbre trestle) = 19 units
Provincial (Baley) = 257.25 kms.

PORTS
San Isidro Port , Allen Port , San Jose and Laoang

AIRPORTS
Catarman Domestic Airport

COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
Catarman Telephone Exchange ( 300 lines)
Municipal Telephoe Program
PRIVATE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
RCPI, PT&T, BAYANTEL, SAMARTEL, GLOBE, SMART , SUN

POWER SUPPLY
The Power needs of the municipality are primarily supplied by the
National Power Corporation ( NAPOCOR) through the Northern
Samar Electric Cooperative Incorporative (NORSAMELCO).

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
AIR – Philippine Arilines (F-50), Manila

LAND – 7 Bus Lines ( Catarman- Ormoc and Catarman Manila)

SEA – Ferry Boats, (Matnog Port – Allen Port )
– Fast cat ( Matnog Port – San Isidro Port )
BARANGAYS IN CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR
Name Of Barangay
 Acacia  Imelda  Somoge
 Aguinaldo  Jose Abad  Talisay
 Airport Santos  Tinowaran
Village  Jose. P. Rizal  Trangue
 Bangkerohan  Ipil- Ipil  UEP zone I
 Baybay  Lapu – Lapu  UEP zone II
 Bocsol  Liberty  UEP zone III
 Cabayhan  Libjo  Washington
 Cag- abaca  Mabini  Yakal
 Calachuchi  Mabolo
LEGEND
 Cal- Igang  Macagtas
 Casoy  Mckinley UNDERLINED WORD –
 Cawayan  Molave Poblacion Barangay
 Cervantes  Narra
 Cularima  New Rizal
 Daganas  Old Rizal
 Dalakit  Paticua
 Donya  Polangui
Pulqueria  Quezon
 Galutan  Salvacion
 Hinatid  Sampaguita
 Gebalagnan  San Julian
 Gen. malvar  San Pascual
Tourism Accomodation

Facilities: DCC, Island Hotel, Sanitary Hotel, Aileen Hotel and Restaurant, Laysonan Hotel, Jonis Hotel, Catarman Pension
House Hotel and Restaurant, Pleasant House Garden and Restaurant, etc.

Tourism Spots: Tamburosan Beach, UEP Campus, Catarman Freedom Park, UEP White Beach Resort, Catarman Centennial and
Tourism Center.