The municipality of Gen Mac Arthur, Eastern Samar was created by Republic Act No. 193 that was approved in Congress on June 22, 1947 with six original barangays namely Binalay, Calutan, Domrog, Pingan, San Isidro and Vigan.
Before its existence as an independent municipality, significant events played a very important role in the history of the municipality.
In the seventeenth century when a family of settlers from Barrio Alingarog of Guiuan decided to travel northward to look for a better way of life and come to settle permanently in a place now called Gen. Mac Arthur.
Before, the place was called “Tugas” by the settlers because of the presence of a variety of hardwood. It was not only rich in hardwood but also has a rich fishing ground which drew more settlers to the place.
Local leaders to name it after their military idol Gen Douglas Mac Arthur to give due recognition and honor memories of the Second World War unsung heroes, the guerilla soldiers of Pambujan Sur who fought courageously with the five – star general to liberate the Phiilippines.
Environment Condition
The climate of the municipality falls under the type “E” category with all months characterized by rain throughout the year and has a marked period of precipitation. The evenness of rain distribution all year round generally favors and increased agricultural output.
The municipality displayed two distinct seasons: rainy days during the months of November to January during the northeast monsoon and dry from July to September during the westerly winds of habagat.
Socio – Economic Condition
a. Major activities
Industry
The municipality has no prominent industry. The following are the only existing industrial establishments to include three bakeries, one vulcanizing shop, three tailoring shops and two hollow block makers. A rural bank is also operating in the municipality.
Agriculture
The estimated annual rice production is at 111 metric tons while vegetables and fruits are at 20 metric tons and 30 metric tons respectively. Banana production is higher at 459 metric tons. On the other hand, there are 706 heads of livestock and 4,600 heads of poultry. The livestock poultry include carabao, cattle, hog and goat.
A warehouse was provided by the National Food Authority (NFA) to serve the farmers need on storage and a private rice mill is also operating in the municipality.
There are nine (9) existing cooperatives registered in the municipality. These mostly composed of farmers and fishermen and other sectors of the community.
Fisheries
The average total catch for the year 2002 is at 40.5 metric tons as reported by the office of the Municipal Agriculturist. There are twenty – eight registered motorized bancas while nineteen are non – motorized.
b. Significance of the municipality to other Provinces
The municipality has a significant relationship with other provinces specifically with the province of Leyte in terms of business and economy. The municipality is one of the suppliers of quality copra to the oil mills in Tacloban and of root crops to the markets in the city. On the other hand, businessman from the municipality buy their goods such as construction materials, primary commodities and others from Tacloban City.
c. Per Capita Income
A common household in the municipality earns an average annual income of P 43, 860.00.