# data[].attributes.body
Agriculture and fishing are the province’s main source of income with rice, coconut, and abaca as the main products. The poverty incidence in the province is reported to be at 46.3% in 2015 by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

In 2015, Eastern Samar possessed low productivity of agricultural lands, especially palay, contributing a mere 6.52%. Lack of support in infrastructure, appropriate and adequate production inputs like seeds and fertilizers, feeds, and technology are a few of the many major causes of a low crop and livestock presence.

Aquaculture raised the same concern having a remarkable decrease in fishery value production because of the degradation of marine and fishery resources.

# data[].attributes.body
Amazona, Roel (2020) 9 typhoon-hit Eastern Samar towns under state of calamity. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103277

Balinbin, Arjay. (2022) DPWH announces completion of Eastern Samar seawall; bridge to follow. Business World. Retrieved from https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2022/07/04/459208/dpwh-announces-completion-of-eastern-samar-seawall-bridge-to-follow/

Business World (2021) For this Eastern Samar town, fintech strengthens disaster resiliency. Retrieved from https://www.bworldonline.com/spotlight/2021/09/06/393965/for-this-eastern-samar-town-fintech-strengthens-disaster-resiliency/

Cabatit-Alelgra, Julie (2014) FEMSA supports water sanitation and hygiene in Samar. Philstar. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/business-life/2014/07/14/1345433/femsa-supports-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-samar

Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. (2021) Salcedo Mayor Melchor Mergal commits to integrate renewable energy in disaster risk reduction. Retrieved from https://icsc.ngo/salcedo-mayor-melchor-mergal-commits-to-integrate-renewable-energy-in-disaster-risk-reduction/

Limorte, Florinane (n.d.) Samar, Philippines: The island of a thousand typhoons. Children of the Mekong.  Retrieved from https://www.childrenofthemekong.org/samar-philippines%E2%80%AF-the-island-of-a-thousand-typhoons/

Meniano, Sarwell (2022) E. Visayas LGUs told to check water sources amid cholera cases. Philippipne News Agency. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1187721

Oxfam (2013) Rough Rapid Assessment Report on the Impact of Typhoon Haiyan in the Province of Eastern Samar. Relief Web. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/rough-rapid-assessment-report-impact-typhoon-haiyan-province-eastern-samar

Peoplaid (2019). Eastern Samar History, Geography, Economy. Retrieved from https://peoplaid.com/2019/04/04/eastern-samar/

PhilAtlas (n.d.) Eastern Samar, Retrieved from https://www.philatlas.com/visayas/r08/eastern-samar.html#sectionDemog

Serafica, Raisa (2017). Houses in Eastern Samar town flooded due to Urduja. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/moveph/191508-houses-taft-eastern-samar-flood-urduja/

# data[].attributes.body
Due to the devastating effect of typhoon Yolanda, "B-READY," or Building Resilient Adaptive and Disaster Ready Communities, were initiated to ensure all will be safe, secured, and prepared when a calamity strikes. Through the use of PayMaya, it enables digital cash transfers to beneficiaries, as well as offers a framework for more sustainable disaster preparedness through weather forecasting and online financial instruments.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Reverse Osmosis Equipment for Drinking Water

# data[].attributes.body
Water treatment systems that use reverse osmosis to separate unwanted sediments picked up from surfaces to produce clean water.

# data[].attributes.body
Seeking Sustainable Cities and Communities for a disaster-prone province like Eastern Samar can make their lives safer, healthier, and resilient. Shifting to ways to lessen the risks, adapt to the most sustainable actions, focus on the accessibility of basic needs and necessary services, and develop skills that further secure our goal is among the few ways to achieve SDG 6 & 11 in Eastern Samar. As citizens, starting in our own little way, we can move forward and have progress that can have a considerable impact.

These problems are stopping the region from developing further. The government has to direct their attention and their funding to solve them, putting aside any development plans.

Agriculture and fishing are the primary livelihoods of the people in Eastern Samar. It is essential to know the problems and address them to avoid any inconvenience later. Studying and knowing about the UNSDGs will help us prevent countless diseases, make access to clean water easily accessible to all, and make our environment a healthy place to live in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: TekPak Orientation and Turnover event in 2021

# data[].attributes.headline
Salcedo Mayor started to commit to Renewable Energy

# data[].attributes.subject
Salcedo Mayor started to commit to Renewable Energy

# data[].attributes.body
As a result of numerous catastrophes over the years, Salcedo Mayor Melchor Mergal plans to shift to integrate renewable energy (RE) in the areas that are most impacted by typhoons. The people were educated on the proper use and upkeep of solar TekPaks (renewable energy that powers devices during disasters and blackouts), hired RE specialists, and allocated funds for sustainable energy solutions and technologies for disaster-prone areas with the help of helpful organizations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Screenshot of the Rapid Assessment by Oxfam

# data[].attributes.headline
Rapid Assessment Report of Typhoon Haiyan

# data[].attributes.subject
Rapid Assessment Report of Typhoon Haiyan

# data[].attributes.body
In 2013, typhoon Haiyan had a devastating impact on the affected families of about 152,500 individuals. Out of these numbers, 160 died, and 44 are still missing. It costs billions of costs in damage to the economy and infrastructures and halts the delivery of services.

# data[].attributes.body
In June 2022, DPWH announced the completion of a seawall across Guiuan for protection against typhoons which cost Php 29.64 Million

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Governor Ben Evardone with other government officials

# data[].attributes.headline
Eastern Samar Town under State of Calamity

# data[].attributes.subject
Eastern Samar Town under State of Calamity

# data[].attributes.body
In 2020, in the aftermath of Typhoon Ambo, PHP 41 Million worth of infrastructure was destroyed and has displaced over 34,000 families in 9 towns and resulted in 3 deaths.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Goal 11 of Sustainable Development Goals

# data[].attributes.headline
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

# data[].attributes.subject
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

# data[].attributes.body
Because Eastern Samar is at constant risk of typhoons, households and businesses take big hits, especially if a particular storm is very strong. Alongside the effect these disasters have on the lives of the citizens, the economic losses are even worse for the long-term of the region.

# data[].attributes.body
Following the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda, a group of women from Samar, with the assistance of FEMSA and other groups, launched an initiative to inform their fellow citizens about the value of clean water, good hygiene, and sanitation. Unquestionably, having access to clean and safe water will improve one's health and raise their standard of living.

The action consists of the following:

Instructions on how to safely store water

Information about water purification (boiling, adding chlorine, and through solar disinfection)

Develop water-based projects which promote the proper use of water

Donations of Sawyer water filtration system (portable equipment that purifies water)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Group of women volunteers for sanitation

# data[].attributes.body
Typhoon Yolanda (2013)

Typhoon Urduja (2017

Typhoon Tisoy (2019)

# data[].attributes.body
According to a DOH-Eastern Visayas unit manager, Roderick Boyd Cerro, many water sources in the region are prone to contamination, especially during the rainy season.

He adds that many of the expert sanitary inspectors are retired and the new recruits have little training and experience.

32 deaths were reported and are suspected to be caused by water-borne diseases

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Goal 6 of Sustainable Development Goals

# data[].attributes.body
Eastern Samar is one of the country's most vulnerable and disaster-prone provinces because of calamities. During the rainy seasons each year, Samar is the target of about fifteen typhoons, which significantly affect several people's homes, health, livelihood, and economy. The natural catastrophes have destroyed many drinking water and sanitation, leading to health risks like high rates of dengue, diarrhea and malnutrition.

In a 2020 report by the DOH Field Health Services Information System, only 89.41% of households in the region have access to a safe basic water supply. Recently, Eastern Visayas reported nearly 4,000 suspected cholera cases this year. Eastern Samar records having 85.31 percent of low access to basic safe water supply.

# data[].attributes.body
Popular Point of Interest

Apiton Island

Binogawan Beach

Luksoon Cave

# data[].attributes.body
Borongan

# data[].attributes.body
Arteche

Balangiga

Balangkayan

Can-avid

Dolores

General MacArthur

Giporlos

Guiuan

Hernani

Jipapad

Lawaan

Llorente

Maslog

Maydolong

Mercedes

Oras

Quinapondan

Salcedo

San Julian

San Policarpo

Sulat

Taft

# data[].attributes.body
Waray

Cebuano

English

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Data indicating Eastern Samar's demographics in 2000

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Figure 2 Total Population 10 Years and Pver by Sex Marital Status Eastern Samar 2000

# data[].attributes.body
As of 2020, Eastern Samar has a population of 477,168 with a population density of 103/sq km.

The vast majority of the region is part of the Waray ethnic group with some Bisaya minorities.

Catholicism is the dominant faith in the region as well as a few other Christian groups such as the Born-Again, Adventists, Mormons etc. and a very small number of non-Christians.

# data[].attributes.body
Eastern Samar covers 4,660.47 sq km occupying the eastern side of Samar Island in the Eastern Visayas region, comprising of 22 municipalities and one city divided into two districts. It is bordered to the north by Northern Samar and to the west by Samar. It directly faces the Pacific Ocean to the east, while to the south is Leyte Gulf. Due to its proximity to the Pacific, it is on the frontline of typhoons.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: Map showing Eastern Samar Municipalities

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Image: One of the famous place in Borongan, Eastern Samar

# data[].attributes.headline
All about Eastern Samar (Background Information)

# data[].attributes.subject
All about Eastern Samar (Background Information)

# data[].attributes.body
Eastern Samar, located in the eastern section of Samar Island in Eastern Visayas, is part of the six provinces in Region VIII. Samar came from the Visayan word, "samad," which means "wound or cut." This refers to the rough physical aspects of the area, which is rocky and deeply carved by streams

The provincial capital is Borongan, known for its golden sunrises and has the nickname "City of the Golden Sunrise." 51.5% of Eastern Samar's land comprises agricultural land, with 22 municipalities.

Eastern Samar is known for its spectacular waves from the Pacific Ocean and its rich agricultural land; rice, coconut, and fish are the province's major products. Additionally, this province has a significant history of the country's colonial past. Homonhon Island, a part of Eastern Samar, was the first island where Ferdinand Magellan arrived to conquer the Philippines.