CATARMAN, Northern Samar — There's a different kind of advocacy and brand of commitment started by Northern Samar's Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan, who on assumption into office has brought with him a deeply grounded and pragmatic approach to provincial leadership—that of 'Livelihood First'.
In this committed advocacy, the newly elected governor's focus is very clear: empower the people economically as the foundation for building resilient and self-reliant communities.

Northern Samar's Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) chief John Allen 'JA' Berbon speaks well of the advocacy, saying that on witnessing it at firsthand, he realized how Ongchuan's direction is not just a campaign promise but a strategic commitment to inclusive growth.

In Northern Samar, where challenges in income and employment are still deeply rooted, the newly elected governor's approach is both timely and transformative. One of the initiatives under this livelihood-centered governance is the continuing implementation of the Food Security and Sustainable Economic Development (FSSED) Cluster’s Barangay Livelihood Empowerment and Sustainability (BLES) Program.

"This initiative provides livelihood grants to organized barangay-based associations that engage in activities such as food processing, handicrafts, farming and other micro-enterprises. More than just financial assistance, BLES fosters accountability, community ownership, and long-term sustainability through capacity building and technical guidance," Berbon cited.

He added that alongside BLES, Northern Samar has scaled up its efforts to support and empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through partnerships with the pertinent government agencies that would provide the training for the workforce and even prospective investors to acquire skills and know-how to ensure success.

With the help of the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Labor and Employment (DoLE) and Science and Technology (DoST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other development partners, Berbon announced that they are rolling out livelihood training sessions, business coaching, trade fair participation, marketing assistance and access to e-commerce platforms even as programs focusing on meat and fish processing, mat weaving, organic farming, tailoring and digital entrepreneurship are now reaching more Nortehanons, especially women, youth and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWS).