Nov. 9, 1965 The province of Samar was divided into three separate provinces—Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Western Samar (subsequently named Samar)—through a plebiscite which ratified Republic Act No. 4221, approved on June 19, 1965. The plebiscite coincided with the November 1965 general elections. Today, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar are all classified as