Catbalogan City, Samar

Catbalogan City is the city capital of Samar Province, Philippines with a population of 92,454 (2007 Census). It is Samar's main commercial, trading, educational, political and financial center. It is also an important and major seaport serving inter-island vessels. Catbalogan City's central geographical location in Eastern Visayas makes it ideal as the gateway to the region's three Samar provinces.

Calbayog, City, Samar

Calbayog City is a first class city in the province of Samar, Philippines. It lies along the coastal region of the province stretching about 60 miles (97 km) from the northern tip of the island and 180 miles (290 km) from southern boundaries. Calbayog comprises 157 barangays, 25 of which are urban and 132 are rural, and is the largest city in Eastern Visayas.

According to the 2009 census, the population of 190,374 (37,395 households) make it the second most populated city in region 8. Calbayog is one of the commercial trade centers in eastern Visayas. And is the center of commerce in Samar. Its airport and a seaport make it an ideal gateway to Samar. Calbayog is subdivided into three major districts: Calbayog, Tinambacan, and Oquendo.

Paranas, Samar

Paranas is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 27,926 people in 5,200 households.

During the Philippine Commonwealth period, the town was renamed after General Wright by the new administrators. However, locals retained and till this day refer the area as Paranas.

Many of the townsfolk work or attend school in nearby Catbalogan City. Trade is also prevalent with Calbayog City farther north.

Domestic air travellers prefer to return to Paranas via dominant Tacloban's Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport due to the length of the runway and the accessibility of land transportation. Other options include the improved airport of Calbayog and the less utilized Catbalogan airport (which is only ideal for smaller aircraft). International air travellers may also reach Paranas via Manila, Cebu or Davao en route to Tacloban. In the next few months, Tacloban's airport is being readied for direct international flights.

Motiong,Samar

Motiong is a 5th class municipality in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 13,147 people in 2,512 households.

Long before the coming of the Americans, there were already local folks inhabited in Motiong, wherein the place was unnamed at that time.

Some of these people went on sea diving to gather oyster for their daily consumption and the rest barter goods such as rice, corn, cassava, taro, yam tubers, sea foods and abaca fibers to other neighboring barrios and municipalities. There were only few local caravans who are traveling in groups aided in defense against bandits as well as helped to improve economies of scale in trade although, only few people have the means to buy commodities.

One man tried to open one oyster and with great astonishment, he found a lustrous pearl where he called “Mutya”. Believing that the place was full of treasure, the settlers started to name the place “Mutya” which to means “Land of Treasure”.

Mariano Saptin, Valentin Conge, Simon Tingzon Sr., Claudio Tingzon and Antonio Abalos were few people who persuaded to make Motiong an independent town. The reward of their effort was the House Bill No. 1844 by Congressman Tito V. Vizon which was approved as Republic Act No. 290 on June 16, 1948. It separated into another town the barrios of Motiong, Bayog, Uyandic, Calantawan, Sinampigan, Calape, Bonga, Hinicaan, Caluyahan, Malolobog, and Maypangi, formerly part of the town of Wright.^[1] Mariano Septin and Antonio Uy were appointed as first mayor and vice-mayor respectively.

Marabut, Samar

Marabut is a 5th class municipality in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 12,334 people in 2,383 households.

During the early Spanish Era, the municipality of Marabut was a mere sitio of Basey, Samar. Its struggle for independence was a drama that was herded by three gallant men Agustin Grefiel, Logero Ferreras and Catato Amantillo. Bicario Amantillo, was recognized as the famous and brave revolutionary leader who organized themselves in defense against the muslim bandits. After his capture by the Americans in World War I, a wise and fearless leader Ysidro M. Ferreras took over and successfully worked for the improvement of Sitio Lipata and for the welfare of his people. The sitio evolved into a barrio. In 1949, Ysidro M. Ferreras who was then the Mayor of Basey submitted to President Elpidio Quirino a proposal to convert Barrio Sto. Niño into a separate municipality. Thus on July 22, 1949, Executive Order No. 247 was signed creating the Municipality of Marabut, Samar in honor of the late Congressman Serafin Marabut who was a native of Basey, Samar. Ysidro Ferreras was elected as the first Municipal Mayor. The municipality is blessed with pristine natural wonders that sits within its coastal line that stretches more than twenty kilometers.