What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

https://bit.ly/PPDONorthernSamar

Northern Samar Provincial Planning and Development Office, Catarman (2026)

05/10/2026

𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆 || 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙋𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙨𝙖𝙣 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧

Yana nga Oktubre, ini nga materyal ginpagawas tungod san pagsalin-urog san National Statistics Month. Iginpipresenta sini an Waray nga esplikasyon san 2025 Full-Year Poverty Statistics san Northern Samar. An Provincial Planning and Development Office in nakikisayo sa Philippine Statistics Authority ngan sa bug-os nga Philippine Statistical System sa pagpasamwak san mga datos sa publiko. Katuyuanan sini nga masabtan san aton mga igkasi-Nortehanon — nga mas pamilyar sa Waray — an opisyal nga datos nga ginpagawas san Philippine Statistics Authority.

An Northern Samar nakataban sin hitaas nga pag-uswag sa family welfare san 2025, kay an family poverty incidence in naghamubo sin ngadto sa 12.5 porsyento, tikang sa 21.8 porsyento san 2023.

Base sini nga datos, gin-karkular nga 87 sa kada 100 nga pamilya sa probinsya an may income nga katugbang o hitaas san poverty threshold san 2025.

An Poverty Incidence Among Families in mas naghamubo kumpara san 2021, nahulog sin 6.8 porsyentong puntos sa sulod san upat ka tuig, tikang sa 19.3 porsyento san 2021 ngadto sa 12.5 porsyento san 2025.

Nagpapaimod ini sin pag-uswag katapos san temporaryo nga paghataas nga nahitala san 2023.
Nagtitikaiban an numero san pamilya sa Northern Samar nga ada sa kapobrehan sin mga 11,770 sadton tuig 2023 tubtob tuig 2025 — tikang ini sa inisyal nga 31,530 ka pamilya, nga naghamubo ngadto sa 19,760 na la ka pamilya — nag-ubos sin 37.3 porsyento. Nagrepresentar ini sin yukot nga pamilya nga nag-upay an ira kahimtang pang-ekonomiya.

An Poverty Incidence Among Population san Northern Samar mas naghamubo, tikang sa 29.2 porsyento sadton tuig 2023 ngadto sa 18.9 porsyento nala sa tuig 2025 — 10.3 porsyentong puntos an ginhamubo sa sulod sini nga mga tuig.

An Poverty Incidence Among Families san Northern Samar nga 12.5 porsyento sadton tuig 2025 in mas nagditoy kumpara sa pankabug-usan san Eastern Visayas nga 12.8 porsyento.

Nagtala sin maupay nga pag-uswag an probinsya in maupay an pag-uswag kumpara sa unom nga probinsya san Eastern Visayas: Southern Leyte, 3.4 porsyento; Biliran, 7.8 porsyento; Leyte, 12.4 porsyento; Northern Samar, 12.5 porsyento; Samar, 15.7 porsyento; ngan Eastern Samar, 20.0 porsyento.

An Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold kada tawo in naghataas ngadto sa Php 36,451 sadton 2025, 8.9 porsyento ini nga paghitaas kumpara sa ₱33,472 san nakalabay nga tuig 2023. Para sa pamilya nga may lima nga miyembro, ini in katumbas sin mga ₱15,188 kada bulan, o ₱182,255 kada tuig.

Sa kadugangan, an poverty incidence among family in naghamubo gihapon, tikang sa 21.8 porsyento ngadto sa 12.5 porsyento — nagpapaimod sin ungod nga pag-uswag sa kaupayan san pamilya bisan pa naghitaas an presyo san mga batakan nga panginahanglan.

An 2025 Full-Year Poverty Statistics san Northern Samar in nagpapamatuod sin dako nga pag-uswag para sa Northern Samar, nagpapakita sin mahinungdanon nga pag-uswag sa kahimtang san mga pamilya ngan komunidad sa bug-os nga probinsya, ngan nagpapaimod liwat sin mga padayon nga oportunidad nga makab-ot san aton mga mas nanginginahanglan nga mga pamilya. #

02/10/2026

𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆 || 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙋𝙋𝘼𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨

Building on the sector assessment sessions, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) led by OIC Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) EnP Jay Keenson C. Acebuche, continued its participation in the Training on the Provincial Development Planning Framework (ProvDP Framework) – Batch 1, sponsored by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) on October 1–2, 2026, at Ace Hotel and Suites, Pasig City.

The fourth day marked the transition from sector assessment to plan formulation. Grouped by province, participants joined workshops facilitated by former DEPDev Regional Director Gina Gacusan. The Northern Samar team analyzed two priority problems: “Insufficient Power Supply to Meet Increasing Electricity Demand” under the Power Subsector of the Infrastructure Sector, and “Low Functional Literacy Rate” under the Education Subsector of the Social Sector.

Through Problem Tree Analysis, the team examined the root causes and effects of these conditions. The afternoon sessions then translated the identified problems into Objectives Trees and Solutions Trees, providing the basis for developing appropriate responses.

Building on these outputs, participants worked on refining the Provincial Vision, formulating the Provincial Development Outcome, establishing Sector Goals and Subsector Outcomes, formulating Strategies and Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs), and preparing the Comprehensive Results Matrix.

Among the key takeaways emphasized by former RD Gacusan were the importance of correctly framing problems based on actual negative conditions experienced by people; conducting comprehensive problem-tree analysis; measuring outcomes rather than merely outputs; grounding planning in reliable evidence and official data; and ensuring that the vision provides a clear direction for the entire plan.

The final day continued the plan formulation exercises and proceeded to discussions on plan validation, approval, implementation, monitoring, and updating. During the Sharing of Experiences, representatives from participating provinces served as panelists. Representing Northern Samar, EnP Jay Keenson C. Acebuche shared the province’s experience on Technical and Stakeholder Validation, as well as the Endorsement and Approval Process of the PDPFP.

The five-day training strengthened Northern Samar’s appreciation of the interconnected planning process—from identifying development problems and their root causes, to formulating desired outcomes, strategies, PAPs, and mechanisms for implementation and monitoring.

Northern Samar’s participation further strengthens its capacity to formulate a comprehensive, evidence-based, results-oriented, and integrated Provincial Development Plan grounded on the actual conditions of Nortehanons and responsive to their development needs.

These efforts support Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan’s Health, Capacity-Building and Climate Resilience, and Opportunities (HCO) development directions, helping translate planning into coordinated actions and measurable results for the people of Northern Samar.

30/09/2026

𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆 || 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙨-𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜

Strengthening evidence-based and results-oriented provincial planning, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) led by OIC Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) EnP Jay Keenson C. Acebuche, continues its participation in the Training on the Provincial Development Planning Framework (ProvDP Framework) – Batch 1 on September 30, 2026, at Ace Hotel and Suites, Pasig City.

The third day of the training focused on the continuation of the National Sector Reference Framework, which introduced participants to sector-based approaches in assessing provincial conditions, identifying development gaps, and translating sector priorities into outcomes, strategies, indicators, and priority Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs).

The morning sessions highlighted the Economic Development Sector, particularly the Agriculture Subsector, emphasizing the importance of viewing agriculture beyond primary production by considering interconnected systems such as postharvest activities, processing, logistics, markets, and value chains. The session underscored agriculture’s contribution to economic growth, employment and livelihoods, food security and nutrition, poverty reduction, agro-industrial development, and environmental sustainability.

Participants were also introduced to approaches in organizing agricultural development priorities through productive and modern agriculture, competitive agri-food value chains, climate-resilient agriculture, inclusive agricultural development, and enabling support systems such as infrastructure, finance, institutions, governance, and investment.

The training likewise covered the Environment and Natural Resources Sector, highlighting the importance of integrating environmental management, resource sustainability, and climate resilience considerations into provincial development planning. The session emphasized the need for sector strategies that respond to local ecological conditions while supporting long-term development outcomes.

Discussions on Governance and Institutional Development focused on strengthening government systems and institutions as foundations for effective service delivery and accountable governance. Participants explored key areas such as effective and innovative public services, strong and transparent institutions, sound fiscal and financial governance, safe and resilient communities, and open and future-ready governance through citizen participation, digitalization, collaboration, and innovation.

The afternoon session proceeded with the Infrastructure Development Sector, emphasizing the role of infrastructure as an enabling sector that supports economic, social, environmental, governance, and spatial development outcomes. Discussions highlighted the importance of assessing infrastructure conditions, identifying gaps, determining affected communities, and developing appropriate provincial responses based on evidence.

After the Infrastructure Sector discussion, the participants accomplished the exercise designed to assess infrastructure conditions and identify priority gaps based on available evidence. The activity guided the groups in formulating desired outcomes, developing priority strategies, and identifying appropriate stakeholders and coordination mechanisms to address the identified concerns. Participants also determined suitable outcome indicators to measure whether the desired development changes could be achieved.

Northern Samar’s continued participation in the ProvDP Framework Training strengthens the province’s capacity to formulate a comprehensive Provincial Development Plan anchored on reliable data, sector analysis, measurable outcomes, and coordinated strategies. These efforts support the priority directions of Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan under Serbisyong Health, Capacity-Building and Climate Resilience, and Opportunities (HCO), ensuring that planning processes translate into responsive programs, stronger institutions, resilient communities, and sustainable opportunities for Nortehanons.

30/09/2026

𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆 || 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙎𝙀𝙁, 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨' 𝘿𝙖𝙮

In its continuing commitment to strengthen educational support systems and ensure the effective delivery of programs that respond to the needs of learners, educators, and schools across the province, the Provincial School Board of Northern Samar convened for its monthly meeting on September 29, 2026, at the Anahaw Room, Provincial Capitol.

Mr. Oliver Ted C. Orsolino of the Provincial Treasurer's Office presented the Special Education Fund (SEF) cash balance status as of September 2026, which stood at ₱20,967,479.98. The board stressed the importance of presenting updated collections and previous balances more clearly to ensure accurate monitoring and transparency of SEF utilization.

Ms. Sylvia D. Villanueva, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division of DepEd Northern Samar, presented the revised budget and preparations for the Regional Festival of Talents (RFOT) and Regional Management Committee (REMANCOM) activities. The board emphasized keeping the activity within the available budget.

For the upcoming World Teachers' Day celebration, Dr. Gaudencio C. Alijibe Jr., CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Northern Samar, presented the planned activities in recognition of the dedication and contributions of teachers across the province. He shared that the celebration will be held on October 2, 2026 with the participation of education stakeholders and representatives from various offices. The program will feature the participation of non-teaching personnel in honoring teachers through a celebration of appreciation and relaxation.

During the meeting, Mr. Rouel Jaspher Marino, Planning Officer I of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), requested education-related data from 2023 to 2025 for the ongoing update of the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP). The board acknowledged the importance of data sharing and coordination among concerned offices to ensure that the updated PDPFP will accurately reflect current conditions and guide future education planning initiatives.

Through these efforts, the board continues to advance Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan's Serbisyong HCO agenda: Health, Capacity Building and Climate Resilience, and Opportunities. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, maintaining transparency in financial management, and prioritizing the needs of both students and educators, the board is taking significant steps toward a brighter, more inclusive future for the province.

29/09/2026

𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆|| 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠

Charting the course toward a more strategic, evidence-based, and results-oriented provincial planning system, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar is participating in the Training on the Provincial Development Planning Framework – Batch 1, being conducted by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development from September 28 to October 2, 2026, at Ace Hotel and Suites in Pasig City. The training gathers 67 participants representing 12 provinces from Regions III and VIII, including Northern Samar.

The training formally opened yesterday, September 28, with discussions on the updated Provincial Development Planning Framework. A key feature of the framework is the clearer distinction between socioeconomic and physical planning while ensuring that the two remain closely linked. Under the updated approach, the Provincial Development Plan serves as the province’s medium-term socioeconomic development plan, while the Provincial Physical Framework Plan focuses on spatial and physical development. The approach encourages provinces to move beyond project listing and instead define clear development outcomes, priorities, strategies, and measurable results.

Participants were also introduced to results-based provincial planning, which links the Provincial Vision to Provincial Development Outcomes, Sector Goals, Subsector Outcomes, Strategies, and Programs, Activities and Projects. The framework promotes planning that is evidence-based, integrated, participatory, inclusive, accountable, and forward-looking.
The training further presented the five-stage provincial development planning process: Prepare; Analyze; Formulate the Plan; Validate and Approve; and Implement, Monitor and Update. Preparatory activities include organizing the planning team, strengthening the provincial information base, updating planning databases, and reviewing relevant national, regional, and provincial plans and policies.

Another major session focused on the Provincial Product Accounts, with the Philippine Statistics Authority emphasizing the use of economic size, growth, industry share, contribution to growth, and per capita gross domestic product in assessing provincial economic performance. Participants were reminded that economic data should be examined together with poverty, employment, investment, productivity, prices, and other indicators to provide a more complete picture of local development conditions.

The first day concluded with a session on revisiting the provincial vision using tools such as Vision Reality Gap Analysis; Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis; Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental analysis; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound criteria; and stakeholder analysis. The discussion emphasized that provincial visions should remain relevant to changing conditions and should be clear, concise, inclusive, people-centered, sustainable, and forward-looking.

Today, September 29, the training continues with sessions on poverty statistics, including the Multidimensional Poverty Index, labor and employment statistics, and the Community-Based Monitoring System. Discussions on the National Sector Reference Framework, particularly for Economic Development and Social Development, are also part of the day’s activities.

Northern Samar’s participation in the training is expected to further strengthen the province’s planning processes by integrating updated data, sector-based analysis, measurable development outcomes, and results-based approaches into its continuing provincial development planning efforts. This is likewise aligned with the priority directions of Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan, particularly on Serbisyong Health, Capacity-Building and Climate Resilience, and Opportunities (HCO), ensuring that provincial planning is translated into responsive programs, stronger institutions, resilient communities, and broader opportunities for Nortehanons.

24/09/2026

𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙀𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙉𝙊𝙒 || 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝙋𝘿𝙋𝙁𝙋 𝙐𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙋 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝘿𝙍𝘼

In accordance with the continuing activities for the updating of the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP), the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), continues the PDPFP Updating Workshop today, September 24, 2026, at the PPDO Conference Area, Provincial Capitol.

Following the workshop sessions conducted over the past two days, the PPDO team, together with concerned Provincial Government of Northern Samar departments and offices, is now focusing on the review, refinement, and polishing of the previous sectoral outputs generated throughout the PDPFP updating process.

The ongoing session provides an opportunity to revisit and further strengthen the Expanded Problem-Solution Finding Matrix, Vision-Reality Gap Analysis, and sectoral goals, objectives, strategies, performance indicators, and targets developed during the preceding sessions. The teams are checking the consistency and alignment of these outputs with identified sectoral conditions, development issues, available data, and the Province’s desired long-term development direction.

A major part of today’s activity is also devoted to the filling in, validation, and consolidation of data and information for the Provincial Ecological Profile (EP) and the Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment. Concerned offices are working closely with the PPDO to identify available information, address remaining data gaps, and ensure that sectoral inputs accurately reflect existing conditions, vulnerabilities, resources, facilities, and development concerns across the Province.

The EP serves as a key information base for development planning by providing comprehensive coverage of the physical, biological, socioeconomic, cultural, and built environments. Its preparation likewise calls for the participation of LGU departments and offices, national government agencies, and sectoral or functional committees in providing relevant data, information, and statistics for their respective sectors.

The workshop continues to be facilitated by Dr. Edgar M. Reyes, Jr., EnP, Associate Professor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), together with Ms. Grezielle Ann D. Esguerra, EnP, who are providing technical guidance in refining the workshop outputs and strengthening their integration into the updated PDPFP.

Through this continuing process, the Provincial Government seeks to ensure that the updated PDPFP is supported by reliable evidence, coherent sectoral analysis, climate and disaster risk information, and clearly defined development directions that can guide future policies, programs, investments, and spatial strategies for Northern Samar.

This undertaking supports the Serbisyong HCO Development Agenda of Governor Hon. Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan, particularly its priorities on Health, Capacity Building and Climate Resilience, and Opportunities, recognizing that sound, evidence-based, and integrated development planning is essential in building a Marig-on, Mainuswagon ngan Malipayon nga Nortehanon.

24/09/2026

𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆|| 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧, 𝙐𝙋𝙇𝘽 𝙎𝙀𝙎𝘼𝙈 𝘿𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

In continuing efforts to strengthen science-based and climate-resilient development planning in Northern Samar, the Provincial Government welcomed the University of the Philippines Los Baños – School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB SESAM) team during a courtesy visit with Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan on September 21, 2026.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss possible areas of technical cooperation on water security, groundwater assessment, water quality, environmental planning, and climate resilience, particularly the development of a more comprehensive understanding of the Province’s groundwater resources and the preparation of a long-term water security roadmap.

A major point of discussion was the opportunity to further strengthen and harmonize the inventory and mapping of wells and other groundwater sources across the province. While local government units have been undertaking efforts to gather information on commercially used wells, some privately maintained and household-level water sources may require additional documentation to provide a more comprehensive picture of groundwater use. In communities where deep wells serve as an important source of water, barangay-level information can help determine the extent of household dependence on groundwater and improve understanding of the spatial distribution of these sources. UPLB SESAM discussed the possible use of key informant consultations, community engagement, geophysical equipment, and other technical assessments to complement and validate existing datasets. These activities may also examine soil and geological characteristics, groundwater movement and recharge, and other factors relevant to the sustainable and informed management of the province’s groundwater resources.

Particular attention was also given to water quality and coastal salinity, especially in areas where groundwater development may be affected by proximity to the coast. UPLB SESAM explained that groundwater extraction cannot be approached solely through the construction of additional or deeper wells, as certain areas may be vulnerable to saline water intrusion depending on their geological and hydrogeological conditions. Scientific assessment would therefore help identify areas where groundwater development may be appropriate, where further investigation is necessary, and where additional extraction may require greater caution. This information could support local governments in making more informed decisions on future water facilities, land use, environmental protection, and the management of existing groundwater sources.

The discussions further covered the proposed Northern Samar Water Security and Governance Roadmap, which would bring together physical and technical assessments with social preparation, community perspectives, and institutional coordination. UPLB SESAM emphasized the importance of identifying not only what scientific data show, but also the water-related concerns experienced by communities. The roadmap may therefore consider water availability, accessibility, quality, service reliability, and the capacity of communities and institutions to respond to disruptions brought about by typhoons, flooding, and other climate and disaster risks. Recognizing that conditions vary among municipalities, the proposed approach may involve a provincial core team working with technical, physical, and social assessment teams to determine priority areas while eventually building a more comprehensive province-wide assessment.

Implementation, financing, and the translation of the roadmap into actual investments were likewise discussed. Governor Harris raised questions on how municipalities would be covered and prioritized, as well as the financial requirements for undertaking the proposed assessments. The discussion highlighted how the roadmap could help identify investible priorities that may serve as the basis for programming projects, mobilizing resources, and exploring possible financing support. The Provincial Government will further discuss the proposal among concerned offices, including its technical, financial, procurement, and implementation requirements.

Governor Harris also expressed his commitment, through Serbisyong HCO, to initiatives that use sound scientific information and responsive planning to strengthen water security and help ensure that future interventions address the actual needs of Northern Samar communities while remaining aligned with the Province’s development priorities and available resources.

23/09/2026

𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆|| 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧’𝙨 𝙋𝘿𝙋𝙁𝙋 𝙐𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣-𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙂𝙖𝙥 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙂𝙤𝙖𝙡-𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜

In an aim to further strengthen the Province’s development direction and translate its long-term vision into clear, strategic, and actionable priorities, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), proceeded with the second day of the three-day Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) Updating Workshop on September 23, 2026, at the Sumuroy Hall, Provincial Capitol, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar.

The activity brought together representatives from the Provincial Government of Northern Samar departments and offices and national government agencies working collaboratively to contribute data, technical knowledge, and sectoral perspectives toward the updating of the Province’s principal development and physical planning framework.

Building on the first day of the workshop, participants revisited the operational framework of the PDPFP, particularly its key components—the Provincial Ecological Profile, Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP), and Provincial Development Plan (PDP)—as well as the four areas of the General Land Use Policy. Day 1 also emphasized the importance of coordinated, evidence-based, and integrated planning in guiding the Province’s long-term development.

The second day continued to be facilitated by Dr. Edgar M. Reyes, Jr., EnP, Associate Professor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), together with Ms. Grezielle Ann D. Esguerra, EnP.
With participants already oriented on the PDPFP updating process, planning cycle, and new framework, the day began with the presentation and review of sectoral inputs to the Expanded Problem-Solution Finding Matrix (EPSFM). The activity allowed each development sector to further examine identified issues, their underlying causes, possible solutions, and strategic interventions based on available data and sectoral realities.

The afternoon sessions focused on the Vision-Reality Gap Analysis (VRGA) and the Sectoral Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Worksheet. Through the VRGA, the different development sectors assessed the gap between the Province’s desired future condition and its present realities. The exercise provided a clearer understanding of existing development gaps and the areas where stronger policy directions, investments, programs, and interventions are needed to move the Province closer to its long-term vision.

Building on the results of the analysis, participants proceeded with the formulation and refinement of sectoral goals, objectives, and strategies. These outputs are intended to provide each sector with a clearer development direction, define the outcomes that the Province seeks to achieve, and identify strategic approaches that can translate the provincial vision into concrete and coordinated action.

Dr. Reyes also led a discussion on the distinctions among vision, goals, objectives, performance indicators, and targets, highlighting their respective roles within the planning process. The session emphasized that goals represent broad desired development outcomes, while objectives translate these into more specific directions. Performance indicators and targets, meanwhile, provide measurable bases for tracking progress and assessing whether intended development outcomes are being achieved.
The workshop further underscored the importance of ensuring that sectoral goals and objectives are responsive to identified development issues and gaps, while remaining aligned with broader provincial, regional, and national development directions.

Overall, the outputs generated during the first and second days of the workshop will guide the continuing collection, validation, and consolidation of sectoral data, as well as the further refinement of the EPSFM, Vision-Reality Gap Analysis, sectoral goals, objectives, strategies, performance indicators, and targets for eventual integration into the Ecological Profile, Provincial Climate Risk Diagnostics, and the updated PDPFP.

Through the PDPFP updating process, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar continues to strengthen an evidence-based, climate-resilient, forward-looking, and integrated planning system—one that translates the Province’s vision into coordinated policies, programs, investments, and spatial strategies that respond to the needs and aspirations of Nortehanons.

This undertaking supports the Serbisyong HCO Development Agenda of Governor Hon. Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan, particularly its priorities on Health, Capacity Building and Climate Resilience, and Opportunities, recognizing that sound and integrated development planning is essential in building a Marig-on, Mainuswagon ngan Malipayon nga Nortehanon.

Northern Samar Provincial Planning and Development Office

05/10/2026

02/10/2026

30/09/2026

30/09/2026

29/09/2026

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

23/09/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm