CATARMAN - Australia is granting P2 million to selected communities in Northern Samar to finance their development projects for five years, an official has said. David Swete Kelly, program director of the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program, made the announcement at the recent launching of community projects in the towns of Catarman and San Isidro in this province. He cited the special relations between Australia and the province of Northern Samar, which has been in place for 35 years.

Australia first financed construction of the road between San Isidro and Rawis in Laoang, in the late 70s.