HISTORY OF SULAT

Sulat uphold her identity as one of the oldest establishments in the province of Eastern Samar. With records dating back to the early part of 1700. Her early settlers were fisherman, who lived along the eastern bank of the mouth of the Sulat River, which was cut through by creek that freely flowed out into the sea. The creek was used as “Suslatan” (Passageway), by fisherman during rough and stormy weather. The remnants of the creek can be seen today, despite the improvements made when a planned expansion of the town was implemented. From this fishing village, grew and prospered the present town, still bearing her derivative name, SULAT.

The town of Sulat is heavily guarded by islands, which serve as an excellent protection for ships and boats sailing along the Pacific coast during stormy days.

The natives of Sulat are God fearing, with their deeply rooted faith introduced by the Jesuit Fathers during the Spanish Colonization. Although the exact date of the church foundation is unknown, some records would show that it was built somewhere in 1768, out of bricks, stones and accomplished through dreadful labor. A “Muralla” (Wall), made of similar materials enclosed the church and in each corner was erected a small tower in order to have an extensive view of the surroundings against pirates who used to raid the neighboring towns. Behind the Church, the main tower was erected on which three cannons were mounted to protect the town from the Moro marauders.

The priest of the Franciscan order succeeded the Jesuit Fathers who took responsibility of reconstructing the church when it was destroyed by fire. Records show that, Father Enrique de Barcelona, spearheaded the reconstruction of the church and the construction of the two cemeteries, one used to be in front of the Catholic Church (St. Ignatius Square), and the other was located in what is now known as “Elijan”. The priest of the Franciscan order continued with their task of religious propagation until after the secularization of the parishes. The first Filipino parish priest in Sulat was Father Jose Pacoli.

Sulat has Three (3) distinct political histories: The period of the Capitanes (1839 – 1901); Period of the Presidente Municipal (1902 – 1934); and the Period of the Municipal Mayors (1935 – Present).

The period of the Municipal Mayors played the most significant role in terms of evident progress and success envisioned and enjoyed by the Sulatnons today. She became an independent municipality by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1558, enacted on October 31, 1906.

When President Corazon C. Aquino assumed office as President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the so called EDSA Revolution or “People Power I” in 1986, a drastic change in governance was seen and experienced by the Filipino people. Most significant but quite controversial, was the appointment of OIC’s (Officer in Charge), replacing most of the duly elected Municipal Mayors and Barangay Officials in the country. Engr. Ernesto A. Palines, a Civil Engineer by profession and well-known contractor, was appointed OIC Mayor of Sulat, replacing Dr. Pablo L. Baldado, M.D., then the incumbent and duly elected Mayor. Engr. Palines assumed office on April 16, 1986, by virtue of an appointment from the DILG. Although relatively neophyte in the field of politics and local administration, his plans were not only confined to infrastructure and road development, being a civil engineer, but also focused on economic development, employment generation, as well as cultural and social advancement.

On January 17, 1988, the first local election after EDSA Revolution was held. There were three mayoralty contenders, namely: Dr. Pablo L. Baldado, former incumbent Mayor, Engr. Ernesto A. Palines, the OIC Mayor, and Mr. Felipe P. Evardone, a Journalist based in Manila. Evardone hails from Brgy. San Vicente, an Island barangay of Sulat. The ensuing election was won by Mr. Evardone by a slim margin. Although his administration is credited with the following major accomplishments: Initiated the establishment of the Sulat National High School (SNHS); construction/concreting of the 9993one-span Catugpan Bridge, located at entrance to the poblacion; and the electrification and energization of the island barangay of San Vicente. Several infrastructure projects were also established in the defferent barangays such as construction of cultural stage, street concreting, renovation of the Sulat Public market; potable water systems and several other programs and projects.

The cementing and concreting of the municipal street (poblacion), was started by Mayor Jacinto S. Libanan, and continued during the term of Mayor Domingo Legion and finally completed during the sixteen-year administration of Dr. Pablo L. Baldado. It was during the term of Mayor Baldado where several infrastructure projects began to surface, and among them where : Construction of the Cultural Stage or Municipal Auditorium; River Control of Break Water lining the river banks of Bgry. Maramara, Tabi and Baybay; Level II water systems; Construction of Day Care Centers; Renovation and improvement of the Rural Health Unit; renovation and expansion of the municipal building, improvement of the municipal plaza and basketball court, relocation of the Rizal monument and the historical Band Stand to their present sites, among others, aside from the numerous social and infrastructure projects in the different barangays of the municipality. Dr. Baldado was the incumbent Local Chief Executive when Matial Law was declared in 1972.

As OIC Mayor for over a year, Engr. Ernesto A. palines, was credited with the improvement and expansion of the municipal plaza, notably the installation of lighting facilities and construction of additional concrete benches; expansion of the level II water system to cover more barangays in the poblacion; improvement and expansion of the drainage system, and several infrastructure projects both in the poblacion and other barangays of the municipality. The municipal building also underwent a major renovation during his term. Short as it was, it could account for the several accomplished and completed projects in the different barangays which includes watersystems, construction of cultural stage, waiting sheds, among others. One of his priority project, the construction of a Sea Wall along the coast of Brgy. Baybay, was never realized primarily due to the change in administration.

Mayor Ernesto A. Palines was succeeded in office by the first ever Lady Chief Executive of Sulat, Hon. Thelma C. Baldado, a former public school teacher. She came into the political limelight via the Vicemayorship, which she held for one term until she won the top post in July 1992.

One of the major accomplishments of her administration was the initial implementation of the Solid Waste Management Program, which started its First Phase in the poblacion barangays, regularly collecting garbage in the poblacion area. The program started in the later quarter of 1997. The following year, 1998, as a result of the Clean and Green Program, Sulat won the Plum as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Province of Eastern Samar, and twice (1997-1998), as winner in the Cleanest In-Land Body of water category for the entire province. Her administration was also instrumental in the establishment of the Sulat Water District (SWD), through the assistance of LWUA, which now provides Level III water facility to the seven barangays of the poblacion. The LGU was responsible for sourcing out the counterpart funds for the project, the bulk of it coming from the provincial government and CDF funds.

The tandem of Mayor Thelma C. Baldado and then Vice-Mayor Jose A. Tiu, would lay claim to several other accomplishments, such as the completion of the construction of the concrete two-storey municipal building, renovation of the multi-purpose hall, Mayor’s office and the SB Session Hall, construction/renovation of Day Care Centers and barangay health stations; street concreting and level I and II water system, improvement and expansion of drainage systems, animal and seed dispersals and health and nutrition programs, among others.

Sulat, today, is under the helm of the youngest ever Chief Executive, Hon. Javier Evardone Zacate, who is now in his third and last term of office. His plan and programs were a complete turn-about from the traditionally infrastructure – oriented LCEs.

His thrust spells-out major programs on Water Resource Development, utilizing the vast capabilities of the Hakgang Spring in Brgy. Mabini, which is programmed to provide ample water supply at 10,000 gallons per second for irrigation, domestic water consumption and later for industrial utilization, through the proposed development of Can-aybon Industrial Center at Brgy. Del Remedio.

He also considers agricultural and fishery development as the key to the progress of the municipality, as reflected in his plans to establish pre-and post harvest facilities and model farms planted to High-Value Crops, to be implemented in clustered priority identified barangays. His fishery program will get a big boost in the proposed Bay Development Program, involving the municipalities of Sulat, San Julian and Taft, which all belong to the SAFDZ cluster.

His administration also aims to generate income and employment opportunities through livelihood generation, organization of cooperatives and sectoral/registered associations and providing them seed capital as start –up to engage in business, giving focus and priority to the marginalized sectors of the society.

Sulat has a Local Chief Executive with a vast network and linkages with provincial, national and international GOs/NGOs and various funding institutions, and who has a grasp of the development changes and challenges taking place in the locality.

His unique and non-traditional brand of leadership is a paradigm shift which hopefully will result to good governance and propel Sulat to its greater heights and total development to the greater glory of its people, especially the poorest of the poor and the marginalized sectors of our communities.

The Zacate Administration is credited with the following accomplishments:

1.  Construction of Farm – to – Market Roads under the Infres Project.

·        San Juan to Brgy. A-ET (on – going)

·        Sto. Tomas to Brgy. Kandalakit (on – going)

·        Sto. Niño to Brgy Sto. Tomas (on – going)

2. Counstruction of the following structures under the ______________ program:

·        Women’s Health Center and lying in Clinic (RHU) and Legislative Building.

·        Skills and Livelihood Training Center and Social Ha;;

·        Police (PNP) and BFP Station.

3. Poblacion – San Francisco – Del Remedio Circumferential FMR (DAR-ADB-ARCP)

4. Poblacion – San Mateo – San Juan FMR

5. Sto. Tomas Presidential Bridge

6. Renovation of Sulat Publis Market and Bagsakan Center

7. Construction/renovation of school building in all barangays.

8. Agricultural Centrum

9. San Isidro Wharf and Foot Bridge

10. Total renovation and repainting of the Municipal Building

11. Potable water system development (level II and Level III)

12. Irrigation Project – Hakgang Spring

13. Counterpart funds for Kalahi – CIDSS Projects

14. Proposed Development of Canaybon Port

15. Acquisition of Ambulance, School bus and one (1) additional fire truck and rescue vehicle.

16. Repair of Municipal and Barangay Streets

17. Salary standardization and Step Increment

18. Initiated the Holding of a Market Fair (“Tabo”) every Tuesday of the week.

Source: Eco Profile 2009 (MPDC-Sulat)