Region VIII : Eastern Visayas

About Us
Related Statistics
Opportunities
Downloads
Members

You are here:

Home
Regional Offices
Region VIII - Eastern Visayas
Region 8 Profile

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Eastern Visayasencompasses the two large islands of Leyte and Samar, the province of Biliran and
several minor islands. This region is the eastern boundary of the Philippines. The San Bernardino
Strait separates Eastern Visayas from Luzon in the southeast while the Surigao Strait separates the
province of Leyte from the northeastern part of Mindanao. The Visayan and Camotes Seas separate
the region from the rest of the Visayas. On the east, the region faces the Pacific Ocean. The San
Juanico Strait separates the islands of Samar and Leyte. The terrain of the two large islands is
entirely different. Leyte has a high peaked mountain mass in the interior while Samar has low
rugged hills interspersed with valleys.
POPULATION
As of August 1, 2007, the total population of the region was 3,912,936. This increased by 1.12%
from its population of 3,610,355 in May 1, 2000.
CULTURAL GROUPS
Region VIII is inhabited by the Waray-Warays, the countrys fourth largest cultural linguistic
group. Cebuanos from the nearby island of Cebu live in Ormoc City, Western Leyte and parts of
the Southwest of Leyte.
CLIMATE
The eastern portion of the region is frequently visited by storms from the Pacific Ocean. The
region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year with no pronounced dry season.
LAND USE
Eastern Visayas is primarily an agricultural region with rice, abaca, corn, coconut, sugarcane and
banana as major crops. Its total land area is 21,431.7 sq. kms. 52% of its total land area is
classified as forestland and 48% as alienable and disposable land.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The regions sea and inland waters are rich sources of salt and fresh water fish and other marine
products. It is one of the fish exporting regions of the country. There are substantial forest
reserves in the interiors of the islands. Its mineral deposits include chromite, nickel, clay, coal,
limestone, pyrite and sand and gravel. It has abundant geothermal energy and water resources to
support the needs of medium and heavy industries.
ECONOMY
Primary sources of revenue are manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and services. Mining,
farming, fishing and tourism contribute significantly to the economy. Manufacturing firms
include mining companies, fertilizer plants, sugar central, rice and corn mills and other food
processing plants. Cebu is the hub of investment, trade and development in the region. Other
industries include mining, rice, corn and sugar milling, coconut oil extraction, alcohol distilling,
beverage manufacture and forest products. Home industries include hat and basket weaving,
metal craft, needlecraft, pottery, ceramics, woodcraft, shell craft and bamboo craft. The region
receives the spillover from Cebus industrial and eco-tourism activities Leyte is planned to
become an industrial hub of the region with the development of the following industrial estates
and centers:
Leyte Industrial Development Estate
Amihan Cebu Woodlands township
Eastern Visayas Regional Agri-industrial Growth Center
Barugo Economic Zone
Leyte Provincial Industrial Center in Ormoc City
Baybay Techno Science Par
Government Offices
Department of Trade and Industry
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Department Of Health
Department of Science and Technology
Department of Public Works and Highways
Population Commission
PROVINCES

BILIRAN
[The Province of Magnificent Islands]
Capital : Naval
Area Size : 555 km
Population : 132,210

In 1768, the Jesuit missions in Leyte were assigned to the Augustinians until 1804 when some of
the parishes were ceded to the secular clergy and the others (those on the eastern coast of Leyte,
Biliran, which was given to the diocesan clergy) to the Franciscans.

During the Second World War, the Japanese Imperial Forces landed at Barrio Pinamopo-an in
the Municipality of Capoocan, Leyte. A few days later the islands of Leyte and Biliran were
occupied by the enemy. When the American and Filipino troops surrendered in 1942, many
civilians and members of the armed forces in Leyte fled to the hills in order to engage in guerrilla
warfare. Biliran Island was under the control of the 1st Battalion commanded by Captain
Antonio Cinco. The island is originally known as Panamao where it was then under the
jurisdiction of Leyte. On April 8, 1959, Republic Act 2141 created the Province of Biliran. The
law was later amended by Republic Act No. 5977, enacted on June 21, 1969, and by Republic
Act No. 6415, approved on October 4, 1971, it became a regular province.
EASTERN SAMAR
The Land of Good Harbors

Capital : Borongan
Area Size : 4,340 km
Population : 447,800

Eastern Samar was the first area of the Philippines sighted by Magellan on March 16, 1521. The
lofty mountains of Zamal as called by Magellans crew are the mountain ranges that separate the
province from Western Samar and Northern Samar. The Spaniards, however, anchored at the
tiny island of Homonhon on the southern side of the province. During the early days of Spanish
rule, the Province of Samar, (of which Eastern Samar was a part) was called Ibabao. It was
under the political and ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Cebu. Samar was made a separate province
from Cebu in 1768. From its capital, Catbalogan, the administration of the encomiendas in the
eastern coast was controlled. Samar was divided into three provinces, namely: Eastern Samar,
Northern Samar and Western Samar, by virtue of Republic Act No. 4221. The Law was
overwhelmingly ratified in a plebiscite on November 9, 1965.
LEYTE
Mahaba Island: An Underwater Paradise

Capital : Tacloban City

Area Size : 6,268 km
Population : 1,685,270

In 1521, Magellan sailed from the island of Homonhon, Samar to the island of Limasawa, Leyte,
where the first recorded blood compact was held between Rajah Kolambu and Magellan on
March 29 of the same year. Leyte was named Felipina by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, the
Spanish navigator, after King Philip of Spain, in February 1543. The name was later given to the
whole archipelago. Leyte suffered from the separate raids of Muslims Sultans, Pagdalanum
Buhiran and Kudarat, and Suluans. Aside from the Muslim raids, Datu Bankaw of Limasawa and
his son Pagali, revolted against the Spanish conquistadors but superior Spanish arms quelled
them. In 1735, it became a politico-military province, with Samar under its jurisdiction. Samar
and Leyte were separated in 1768. The first capital of Leyte was Carigara then Palo, Tanauan,
and finally, Tacloban. During the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese Imperial Forces,
the American troops led by General Douglas MacArthur and President Sergio Osmena landed at
Palo, Leyte on October 20, 1944.

SOUTHERN LEYTE
Capital : Maasin City
Area Size : 1,734.8 km
Population : 390,000

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCE

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Father of the Province of Southern Leyte : Hon. Congressman Nicanor E. Yiguez rough House
Bill No. 1318.
Legal Basis of the Creation of the Province of southern Leyte: Republic Act No. 2227 signed by
President Carlos P. Garcia on May 22, 1959, Friday at 10:00 oclock in the morning.
Effective Date of the Creation of the Province of Southern Leyte: July 1, 1960

Original Administrative Composition:

There were 16 municipalities and 349 barangays with Maasin as the Provincial Capital and the
Seat of the Provincial Government. These municipalities and barangays were the following:

Name of Municipality No. of Barangays

1. Anahawan 13
2. Bontoc 33
3. Cabalian 13
4. Hinunangan 35
5. Hinundayn 17
6. Libagon 9
7. Liloan 9
8. Maasin 59
9. Macrohon 20
10. Malitbog 22
11. Padre Burgos 9
12. Pintuyan 27
13. St. Bernard 24
14..San Francisco 2
15. Silago 13
16.. Sogod 40
The first Leaders of the Province of Southern Leyte:

Governor: Hon. Alfredo K. Bantug

Vice-Governor: Hon. Graciano H. Kapili
Senior Board Member: Hon. Isabelo Kaindoy
Board Member: Hon. Generoso M. Herrera

Composer of the Lyrics of the Southern Hymn: Dr. Angel Beaunoni Espina
Composer of the Tune/Music of the Southern Leyte Hymn: Dr. Jesus Bacala
Provincial Flower: Orchid (Variety-Intermedia, Family-Phaleanopsis)

Meaning of the Provincial Flag:

The Green Background identifies Southern Leyte as an agricultural province where majority of
its people derive their livelihood from the products of the soil.
The Golden Trimmings suggests golden harvest, not so much as an assurance, as it is an
expression of a common prayer and a hope in the face of the unpredictable elements of nature
and vagaries of chance.
The Cross is an illusion to its past in connection with the First Christian Mass on the Philippine
soil which was celebrated at Limasawa Island.
The coconut and abaca leaves represents the two major agricultural products of the province
from which majority of the people derive their livelihood.
The four Orchid Flowers represents the major areas into which the province is divided namely:
Maasin, Macrohon, and Padre Burgos Area; Sogod Bay Area; Pacific Area and Panaon Area.

The Meaning of the Provincial Seal:

Two Hands in a Handclasp connotes friendship and hospitality, in broader sense, it means the
proverbial meeting of the East and the West (one hand belongs to a native while the other
belongs to a foreigner-Spaniard)
The Cross and the Spanish Galleons are illusions to its past, the discovery of the Philippines by
Ferdinand Magellan in the Seville of the Spanish Crown and the First Christian Mass on
Philippine soil on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521 at Limasawa Island.
The Coconut and Abaca Leaves represents the two major agricultural products of the province
from which majority of the people derive their livelihood.

July 1, 1960 the effective date of the R.A. 2227 An Act Creating the Province of Southern
Leyte.

NATURAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Recent Administrative Composition of the Province of Southern Leyte:
Number of Cities: 1
Number of Municipalities: 18
Number of Barangays: 500
Number of islands within its jurisdiction: 4 (San Pedro and San Pablo Islands in Hinunangan,
Panaon Island , and Limasawa Island)
Provincial Capital and Seat of Provincial Government: Maasin City
Number of municipalities within 100 km. radius from Maasin City: 8
Number of municipalities outside the 100 km. radius from Maasin City: 10

Location

So. Leyte is one of the six provinces in Region 8 or Eastern Visayas Region.
It is approximately located within the geographic coordinates of 9?52 to 10?37 North Latitude
and 124?45 to 125?15 East Longitude
It is about 1 hour by air transport from NAIA-Manila Airport to Tacloban City Airport and 3 -4
hours mega taxi ride from Tacloban to Maasin City.
It is about 1 hour by air transport from NAIA-Manila Airport to Mactan International Airport in
Cebu Province, about 30 minutes taxi ride from Mactan Airport to Cebu City Port and about 6
hours slow boat ride from Cebu City Port to Maasin City Port or about 2 hours fast craft ride
from Cebu City Port to Hilongos and/or Bato Port, Leyte to Maasin City.
It is about 36 hours land transport from Pasay City or Cubao, Quezon City to Maasin City.

Boundaries:
North : Leyte Province
South: Mindanao Sea and Surigao Strait
West: Canigao Channel or Visayas Sea
East: Pacific Ocean

NORTHERN SAMAR

Capital : Catarman
Area Size : 3,498 km
Population : 549,759

Northern Samar is one of the three provinces comprising Samar Island. It was created on June
19, 1965 through the issuance of Republic Act 4221, Providing for the Division of Samar Island
into Three Provinces: Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.

The province is located in the eastern part of the Philippine Archipelago, bounded on the north
by the San Bernardino Strait, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the Samar Sea, and
on the south by Samar. It is composed of 24 municipalities and 569 barangays covering a total
land area of 3,692.9 square kilometers. Catarman is the provincial capital andcenter of trade and
commerce.
Northern Samar is strategically located as the gateway to Visayas and Mindanao from Luzon. It
is 743 kilometers from Manila and can be reached by 1 hour and 20 minutes plane ride to
Catarman or 14 hours bus travel through the Pan Philippine Highway passing Bicol Region and
traversing San Bernardino Strait via ferry boat in the primary ports of San Isidro and Allen, from
Matnog, Sorsogon. The route to Mindanao is through Tacloban City, being connected to
Northern Samar by the famous San Juanico Bridge, via ferryboat in Liloan, Southern Leyte to
Surigao.

In the 2007 Census of Population, the province registered a total population of 549,759, posting
an average annual growth rate of 1.3 percent. Its population density is recorded at 149 persons
per square kilometer. Majority speak Waray dialect, along with Inabaknon, which is
predominantly spoken in Capul Island.

The province is endowed with metallic minerals such as copper, aluminum and bauxite which
can be found particulary in Biri, Mapanas and San Isidro.

Major agricultural crops include coconut, abaca, palay, rootcrops and other subsistence crops. Its
rich fishing grounds produce spanish mackerel, grouper, tuna, big-eyed scad, round scad,
herring, anchovies and salmon. Other aquatic products include cattlefish, crabs, shrimps, squid
and lobsters.

Northern Samar is famous for its natural rock formations found in Biri Island and white silky
sand beaches in San Jose and Lavezares. A visit to the century old church in Capul Island brings
you to the 16th century. Only missionary fervour made possible the building of this church on
this island.

SAMAR

Capital : Calbayog City

Area Size : 5,591 km
Population : 695,000
Samar is one of the three provinces that comprise the Samar Island (the third largest island in the
country). It is bounded in the east by Eastern Samar; on the north by Northern Samar; on the
south by the Leyte Gulf and on the west by the Samar Sea.
The province has a total land area of 5,591.0 square kilometers. It is composed of two cities
(Calbayog and Catbalogan); 24 municipalities and 951 barangays. Catbalogan is the province'
capital.

Based on the 2007 Census on Population, its total population reached to 695,149 resulting to a
population density of 114.9 persons per square kilometer.

The average household size of the province is 5.

In October 2002, its labor force participation rate was posted at 76.4%, with an employment rate
of 93.8%.

Samar is the second major fish producing province in the region. In 2007, its fish production
totalled to 47,662 metric tons, contributing 24.9 % to the region's total fish production.

Samar also boasts of beautiful natural attractions. Some of these include: waterfalls in Calbayog
City; the Sohoton National Park in the town of Basey where three famous cave can be found; and
the world's second largest cave, Calbiga Cave which is located in the town of Calbiga.