CATARMAN, Northern Samar – As part of the month-long celebration of Northern Samar’s 60th founding anniversary, Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. joined the kick-off ceremony of the province’s agri-tourism trade fair on Saturday, May 18.
The event, led by Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan, featured a vibrant showcase of the province’s fresh and organic agri-fishery products, local delicacies, handicrafts, and other locally made goods. The trade fair aims to highlight the economic potential of the province’s agriculture and tourism sectors.
The celebration also marks a significant political transition, as Gov. Ongchuan is set to assume office as the representative of Northern Samar’s 2nd Congressional District on June 30, 2025.
Ongchuan secured a landslide victory over rival Rosalinda Capoquian of Gamay in the recently concluded elections.
Also present at the opening event were Rep. Paul Daza, other provincial officials, and key representatives from the Department of Agriculture regional office.
This year’s anniversary commemorates six decades since the division of the former Samar province into three separate provinces: Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar. One of the principal authors of the law creating Northern Samar was the late Congressman Eladio Balite of Bobon.
(PETER PAREDES)
