Samar (province)

This article is about the province of (Western) Samar. For the island, see Samar. For other uses, see Samar (disambiguation).
Samar
Province
Province of Samar

Flag

Seal
Nickname(s): The Caving Capital of the Philippines[1]

Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°50′N 125°00′E / 11.83°N 125°E / 11.83; 125Coordinates: 11°50′N 125°00′E / 11.83°N 125°E / 11.83; 125
Country Philippines
Region Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Founded
  • 1768 (Separation from the former Province of Samar and Leyte)
  • 1965 (Partition into 3 Provinces)
Capital Catbalogan
Government
  Type Sangguniang Panlalawigan
  Governor Sharee Ann T. Tan (NPC)
  Vice Governor Stephen James T. Tan (NP)
  2nd District Representative Milagrosa T. Tan (NPC)
  1st District Representative Mel Senen S. Sarmiento (Liberal)
Area[2]
  Total 6,048.03 km2 (2,335.16 sq mi)
Area rank 10th out of 81
Population (2010 census)[3]
  Total 733,777
  Rank 36th out of 81
  Density 120/km2 (310/sq mi)
  Density rank 64th out of 81
Divisions
  Independent cities 0
  Component cities
  Municipalities
  Barangays 951
  Districts 1st and 2nd districts of Samar
Time zone PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code 6700–6725
IDD:area code +63 (0)55
ISO 3166 code PH-WSA
Spoken languages
Website samar.lgu-ph.com

Samar (Waray-Waray: Probinsya han Samar, Filipino: Lalawigan ng Samar, Cebuano: Lalawigan sa Samar, formerly known as Western Samar) is a province in the Philippines located in the region of Eastern Visayas. Its capital is Catbalogan City.

The province covers the western section of Samar Island and several islands in the Samar Sea situated west of the mainland. It is bordered to the north by Northern Samar, to the east by Eastern Samar, to the west by Masbate and Biliran, and to the south by Tacloban City, Leyte province and the Leyte Gulf. Samar is connected to the island of Leyte via the San Juanico Bridge, which spans the San Juanico Strait, the narrowest strait in the world.

Samar, along with Leyte province, was created after the historical province of the same name was split into two independent provinces in 1768. Samar province occupied the entire island of Samar and its adjacent islands until 1965, when it was partitioned into three provinces (Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and "Western" Samar).


Fishing and agriculture are the major economic activities in the province.[4]

On 8 November 2013, the province was significantly damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), particularly at the towns of Basey and Marabut.

Etymology

Samar is said to be derived from Samad, the Visayan word for "wound" or "cut", describing the rough physical features of the land which is rugged and deeply dissected by streams.

History

Geography

Samar island occupies the eastern portion of the Philippines. It lies southeast of Luzon and occupies the northernmost section of Eastern Visayas. It is separated from Luzon on the north by the San Bernardino Strait and from Leyte on the southwest by the narrow San Juanico Strait. It is bounded on the east by the Philippine Sea, on the south by the Leyte Gulf and on the west by the Samar Sea.

Topography

Samar province is hilly, with mountain peaks ranging from 200 to 800 metres (660 to 2,620 ft) high and narrow strips of lowlands, which tend to lie in coastal peripheries or in the alluvial plains and deltas accompanying large rivers. The largest lowlands are located along the northern coast extending up to the valleys of Catubig and Catarman rivers. Smaller lowlands in Samar are to be found in the Calbayog area and on the deltas and small valleys of Gandara and Ulot rivers. Slopes are generally steep and barren of trees due to deforestation. Run-off waters after heavy rains can provoke flooding in low-lying areas and the erosion of the mountains enlarges the coastal plains of the province.

Political divisions

Climate and rainfall

Areas near the eastern coast of the province have no dry season (with a pronounced maximum rain period usually occurring from December to January), and are thus open to the northeast monsoon. Municipalities in the southeastern section of the province experience this type of climate.

Areas located in the northwestern portion of the province have a more or less evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year.

Administrative divisions

The province of Samar comprises two congressional districts, 24 municipalities and two component cities. It has a total of 952 barangays.

  •    Provincial capital and component city
  •    Component city
  •      Municipality

City or municipality[A] Year of
establishment
District[7] Population (2010)[7][8] Area[7] Density Brgy. Coordinates[B]
km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi
Almagro 1st 1.5% 11,024 51.36 19.83 210 540 23 11°54′37″N 124°17′05″E / 11.9104°N 124.2847°E / 11.9104; 124.2847 (Almagro)
Basey 1591 2nd 6.9% 50,423 513.01 198.07 98 250 51 11°16′58″N 125°04′10″E / 11.2827°N 125.0695°E / 11.2827; 125.0695 (Basey)
Calbayog 1785 (cityhood: 1948) 1st 23.6% 172,778 880.74 340.06 200 520 157 12°04′01″N 124°35′41″E / 12.0669°N 124.5946°E / 12.0669; 124.5946 (Calbayog)
Calbiga 1772 2nd 2.9% 21,434 283.70 109.54 76 200 41 11°37′39″N 125°01′01″E / 11.6274°N 125.0170°E / 11.6274; 125.0170 (Calbiga)
Catbalogan 1596 (cityhood: 2007) 2nd 12.9% 94,317 274.22 105.88 340 880 57 11°46′31″N 124°52′58″E / 11.7753°N 124.8829°E / 11.7753; 124.8829 (Catbalogan)
Daram 1949 2nd 5.6% 41,322 140.26 54.15 290 750 58 11°38′06″N 124°47′43″E / 11.6351°N 124.7954°E / 11.6351; 124.7954 (Daram)
Gandara 1729 1st 4.4% 31,943 573.49 221.43 56 150 69 12°00′48″N 124°48′41″E / 12.0132°N 124.8114°E / 12.0132; 124.8114 (Gandara)
Hinabangan 1948 2nd 1.7% 12,651 460.08 177.64 27 70 21 11°42′05″N 125°03′57″E / 11.7015°N 125.0657°E / 11.7015; 125.0657 (Hinabangan)
Jiabong 1882 (reestablished 1948) 2nd 2.3% 17,075 67.70 26.14 250 650 34 11°45′46″N 124°57′01″E / 11.7627°N 124.9503°E / 11.7627; 124.9503 (Jiabong)
Marabut 1949 2nd 2.1% 15,115 143.55 55.42 110 280 24 11°06′27″N 125°12′45″E / 11.1075°N 125.2125°E / 11.1075; 125.2125 (Marabut)
Matuguinao 1965 1st 0.9% 6,746 172.51 66.61 39 100 20 12°08′38″N 124°53′07″E / 12.1440°N 124.8852°E / 12.1440; 124.8852 (Matuguinao)
Motiong 1948 2nd 2.0% 14,829 174.40 67.34 85 220 30 11°46′42″N 124°59′55″E / 11.7782°N 124.9986°E / 11.7782; 124.9986 (Motiong)
Pagsanghan 1st 1.1% 8,024 30.00 11.58 270 700 13 11°57′55″N 124°43′16″E / 11.9653°N 124.7212°E / 11.9653; 124.7212 (Pagsanghan)
Paranas (Wright) 1880 2nd 4.0% 29,327 556.12 214.72 53 140 44 11°46′17″N 125°01′21″E / 11.7715°N 125.0225°E / 11.7715; 125.0225 (Paranas)
Pinabacdao 1749 (reestablished 1946) 2nd 2.2% 16,208 183.06 70.68 89 230 24 11°36′50″N 124°59′04″E / 11.6139°N 124.9845°E / 11.6139; 124.9845 (Pinabacdao)
San Jorge 1979 1st 2.2% 16,340 241.20 93.13 68 180 41 11°58′46″N 124°49′30″E / 11.9794°N 124.8251°E / 11.9794; 124.8251 (San Jorge)
San Jose de Buan 1969 2nd 0.9% 6,563 366.90 141.66 18 47 14 12°03′06″N 125°01′35″E / 12.0517°N 125.0263°E / 12.0517; 125.0263 (San Jose de Buan)
San Sebastian 1950 2nd 1.1% 7,708 39.07 15.09 200 520 14 11°42′39″N 125°01′03″E / 11.7109°N 125.0176°E / 11.7109; 125.0176 (San Sebastian)
Santa Margarita 1892 1st 3.4% 24,850 129.12 49.85 190 490 36 12°02′16″N 124°39′30″E / 12.0378°N 124.6584°E / 12.0378; 124.6584 (Santa Margarita)
Santa Rita 1863 (reestablished 1908) 2nd 5.2% 38,082 411.77 158.99 92 240 38 11°27′05″N 124°56′29″E / 11.4513°N 124.9413°E / 11.4513; 124.9413 (Santa Rita)
Santo Niño 1st 1.8% 13,504 29.53 11.40 460 1,200 13 11°55′32″N 124°26′56″E / 11.9255°N 124.4489°E / 11.9255; 124.4489 (Santo Niño)
Tagapul-an 1976 1st 1.1% 7,828 28.70 11.08 270 700 14 12°02′54″N 124°09′27″E / 12.0484°N 124.1574°E / 12.0484; 124.1574 (Tagapul-an)
Talalora 1947 2nd 1.1% 7,983 27.96 10.80 290 750 11 11°31′42″N 124°50′10″E / 11.5284°N 124.8362°E / 11.5284; 124.8362 (Talalora)
Tarangnan 1884 1st 3.3% 24,146 132.49 51.15 180 470 41 11°54′08″N 124°44′47″E / 11.9023°N 124.7464°E / 11.9023; 124.7464 (Tarangnan)
Villareal 1768 2nd 3.6% 26,221 98.54 38.05 270 700 38 11°34′03″N 124°55′41″E / 11.5675°N 124.9281°E / 11.5675; 124.9281 (Villareal)
Zumarraga 1863 2nd 2.3% 16,936 38.55 14.88 440 1,100 25 11°38′22″N 124°50′32″E / 11.6394°N 124.8423°E / 11.6394; 124.8423 (Zumarraga)
Total 733,377 6,048.03 2,335.16 120 310 951 (see GeoGroup box)
  1. ^ Former names are italicized.
  2. ^ Coordinates mark the city/town center, and are sortable by latitude.
  3. Dashes (—) in cells indicate unavailable information.

Demographics

Catbalogan City, the provincial capital
Population census of
Samar
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 533,733    
1995 589,373+1.88%
2000 641,124+1.82%
2007 695,149+1.12%
2010 733,377+1.97%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Religion

Samar (Western Samar) is predominantly Roman Catholic. The Catholic Hierarchy (2014) states that 95 percent of its population adhere to Roman Catholicism. Some other Christian believers constitute most of the remainder such as Born-again Christians, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Baptists, Methodists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints and Seventh-day Adventist. Muslims are also present and a few mosques are located within the province.

Languages and dialects

Languages Spoken (2000)[9]
Language Speakers
Waray
 
585,342
Cebuano
 
37,912
Binisaya
 
4,069
Tagalog
 
2,340
Boholano
 
877
Others
 
4,223
Not Reported
 
5,316

Residents of Samar are mostly Waray, the sixth largest cultural-linguistic group in the country. 90.2 percent of the household population speaks the Waray-Waray language, while 9.8 percent also speak Cebuano; 8.1 percent Boholano; 0.07 percent Tagalog; and 0.5 percent other languages.

There are two types of Waray spoken in the province, Waray Lineyte-Samarnon which is spoken from the southernmost tip of the province up to the municipality of Gandara and Waray Calbayog, an intermediary between the Waray of Northern Samar and the Waray of Samar, spoken in Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, and in some parts of Tagapul-an, Santo Niño, Almagro and Matuguinao.

Cebuano is spoken in some parts of the first district of Samar, mainly in Calbayog City, Almagro, Santo Niño and Tagapul-an. English and Chinese languages are also spoken.

Offices

Old Office

Directory here

Newly formed office

Former governors

  • Julio Llorente 1902-1903 - first appointed governor of Samar.
  • Segundo Singzon 1903-1904 - second appointed governor of Samar from Cebu.
  • George Curry 1905-1907 - first American governor of Samar.
  • Maximo Cinco — 1908–1910 - first elected governor of Samar.
  • Vicente Jasmines — 1910–1916
  • Clodualdo Lucero — 1916–1922
  • Juan Sulse — 1922–1931
  • Felipe Abrigo — 1932–1934, 1937–1940
  • Cayetano Lucero — 1940–1944
  • Vicente Dira — 1944–1945 (Japanese Appointee)
  • Gerardo Morrero — 1945–1946
  • Baltazar Avelino — 1946–1950
  • Decoroso Rosales — 1950–1955
  • Fernando Veloso — 1955–1960
  • Vicente Valley — 1960–1963
  • Esteban Piczon — 1963–1967
  • Jose Roño — 1967–1973
  • Pablo Cinco — 1973–1976
  • Tomas O. Ricalde — 1976–1986
  • Antonio M. Bolastig — 1986–1995
  • Jose Roño — 1995–2001
  • Milagrosa T. Tan — 2001–2010

Notable people

  • Captain Luciano Sinko — Aide de Camp of General Lukban the first Representative of Samar to the First Philippine National Assembly. Who was born on January 7, 1873, son of Mr.and Mrs. Juan Sinko. He had two wives namely, his first wife was Petrona Tanseco and his 2nd wife was Victoria Sabater. Elected Municipal Councilor in 1907. Given posthumous Award for outstanding achievement in the field of government service during the First Samar Day Celebration.
  • Senator Esteban Quimbo Singzon — born in Calbiga, Samar. Son of Doroteo B. Singzon and Mamerta A. Quimbo. First senator of the ten senatorial districts of Samar and Leyte, 1915. One of the first Philippine senators.
  • Bishop Pablo Singzon — the first Bishop of Samar and Leyte. He was born on January 25, 1851 in Calbiga, Samar, son of Esteban Singzon and Demetria Baeza. He first studied his primary years in Calbiga, Samar his native town under the direction of the Franciscan Fathers Fr. Antonio Figueroa Fr. Antonio Sanchez and Fr. Andres Congzon, a secular priest. He studied his secondary years in San Carlos Seminary, Cebu and entered in the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas – The Eternal City of Rome for his seminary. He was awarded a Medal from Pope Leo III, Bishop of Rome and become the first bishop of Samar and Leyte in 1910.
  • Pedro Rosell Arteche — the founder and leader of Philippine Guerilla forces of Samar. Born on April 21, 1900 in Barangay Kampondoy, Zumarraga, Samar. He was the son of late Nemesio Arteche and Pia Rosell. He was studied law. An active student leader and athlete, a man of principle, of firm conviction. and as a lawyer, he volunteered his service in deserving cases … of poor persons oppressed. While serving as Governor, he reminded the National Officials of the appointment of Samareños to top government positions and was successful.
  • Bruna "Bunang" Fabrigar — known as the "Joan of Arc of Samar". One of the historic Pulahan leader in Samar. “Bunang”, as she was popularly called, was described as a kind, religious, a hero, attractive women, a mananambal (faith-healer), and a brave leader. Bruna Fabrigar's red “magic saya” she was used as her shield against bullets. She is from Paranas, Samar and she served as the people’s “mananambal”. She believes that faith in God could conquer the enemies.

Possible creation of Samar Island Region

There is a possible creation of Samar Island Region, in which Eastern Visayas will be partitioned into two separate regions. Since the creation of Negros Island Region from Western Visayas and Central Visayas, many provincial, regional and national politicians are now planning to put Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar into one separate region in order to boost its economy, population and tourism, as well improve the distribution of public services and lower its poverty rate incidence, since Samar island's three provinces are listed as one of the poorest provinces of the nation.[10][11]

References

  1. Togonon, Mark Anthony (1 November 2015). "Enchanted". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 23 March 2016. ... there are more than a thousand caves in the province alone, most of them still unexplored. “Samar isn’t called the Caving Capital of the Philippines for nothing,” he says.
  2. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities" (PDF). 2010 Census and Housing Population. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  4. http://www.samar.lgu-ph.com/econo.htm Economical Data
  5. "Republic Act No. 4221 - An Act Creating the Provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Western Samar". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 19 June 1965. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  6. "Republic Act No. 5650 - An Act Changing the Name of the Province of Western Samar to Samar". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 21 June 1969. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "Province: Samar (Western Samar)". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority - National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  8. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010 (EasternVisayas)" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  9. Table 5. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: Samar (Western), 2000
  10. "Samar Island might follow Negros Island into a new region". Edgar Allan Vilbar. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  11. "Presidential candidate Grace Poe backs the creation of separate Samar Region". Xianne Arcangel. Retrieved March 10, 2016.

External links

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