This study intended to determine the contribution of the Fundacion Grameen Pilipinas Incorporation (FGP) to the poverty alleviation in the province of Northern Samar. The contribution of FGP was measured in terms of sustainability, impact in household income, and women empowerment. A total of 134 individuals from the three (3) geographical areas, namely: Balicuatro area, Central area and Pacific area, were used as respondents of the study. The study adopted the descriptive-evaluative research method and utilized frequency counts, percentages, weighted means, financial ratios in the analysis of the data. Survey questionnaire, interview schedule, and focus group discussions were used in the data gathering. Triangulation was employed to verify the veracity and accuracy of the responses of the respondents through the conduct of interview with the employees of Grameen. It was found out that the collection rate from years 2010 to 2014 was 89 percent, indicating a high performance in terms of sustainability. This was further confirmed by its fair performance in terms of the overall liquidity which was rated 82 percent. This favorable finding may be due to the affordable loan amortization of the beneficiaries which ranged from Php100 to Php499. It was also found out that the total average daily net income of the respondents was Php90.45, which was verified to be higher by 45 percent than their average daily net income before they availed of the FGP. Most of the woman beneficiaries were ascertained to be highly empowered considering their active involvement in productive activities at home and in the community. Summing it up, the FGP had contributed significantly to poverty alleviation among the target clients who were poor. The program was found to be highly sustaining and had increased the income of the family through the empowerment of the woman beneficiaries in engaging in productive endeavors in the home and community.

Indigenous agricultural products in Northern Samar are plentiful but their availability in the market is unpredictable. This study tried to find out what are the indigenous agricultural products as an eye – opener for the farmers in increasing production. It aimed to determine the market potential and find out if it is profitable to sustain the production entirely. It also tried to ascertain the problems and constraints deterrent to production and marketing. The study was conducted in four barangays of Catarman, Northern Samar. The researcher utilized triangulation to derive a valid data. These barangays produced indigenous agricultural products of several varieties of root crops, fruit trees, and vegetables. They also produce processed livestock, cereal, and marine products. It revealed that Copra and rice were the main sources of income in the four pilot areas. Some were produced in fewer quantities partly sold and consumed by the farmers. Prices slightly varied in the different barangays mostly sold either through small middlemen or to the ultimate consumers. Generally, they were sold on cash basis. The most reported problems common to the four barangays were climatic change (rank1), occurrence of pests (rank 2), lack of capital (rank 3), and insufficient of water supply (rank 4). During community consultation major problem exposed in Washington and Galutan lack of water supply, Macagtas capital deficiency and Libjo pest occurrence. Finally farmers’ participation in the preparation of implementable market plan should be arranged to systematize marketing of indigenous products.