Origin & History

The island of Biliran was first called Isla de Panamao, referring to an ethnic fishing net. Between 1668-1712, the name was changed to Biliran, which was derived from a native grass called “borobiliran”. On April 8, 1959, R.A. 2141 made Biliran a sub-province of Leyte, with the title Lt. Governor. On June 21, 1969, R.A. 5977 was enacted to amend the original charter, changed the title Lt. Governor to Governor, with the executive power of a provincial governor. On May 11, 1992, the people of Biliran and Leyte ratified in a plebiscite the conversion of the sub-province into a regular province.

GEOGRAPHY (Sources: DENR & TWGPGC, NSCB)
land area 555.5 sq. km.
no. of municipalities 8
no. of barangays 132

DEMOGRAPHY (Source: NSO)
total population 140,138

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT (Source: NSO)
total population 15 years and over 101,000
women: 53,000 men: 48,000
labor force participation rate 68.8%
Women: 45.3% men: 95.8%

INCOME & PRICES (Source: NSO & DTI)
average annual family income P69,222
Average annual family expenditure P46,539

ESTABLISHMENT CHARACTERISTICS (Source: NSO & DTI)
no. of establishments 1,150
total investments (DTI-directly impacted) P 4,677,000

TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
GlobeLines Incorporated (Landline & Cellular Phones)
Smart Communications Inc. (Cellular Phones)
PLDT (Public Calling Office)
Bayantel (Public Calling Office)

TRANSPORTATION
Passenger Ferries/Cargo Ships (Naval-Cebu)
Shuttle Vans/Buses (Naval-Ormoc; Naval-Tacloban/Manila)

ENERGY (Source: NEA)
average power rate P 4.69

ESTABLISHMENT CHARACTERISTICS (Source: NSO & DTI)
no. of establishments 1,150
total investments (DTI-directly impacted) P 4,677,000

EDUCATION (Sources: FLEMMS, NSO & DECS)
Language: Filipino & English
Dialects Spokern: Cebuano & Waray-waray
simple literacy rate(10 years old & over) 90.6%
women: 92.3% men: 88.9%
functional literacy rate(10-64 years old) 79.5%
women: 85.1% men: 74.1%
no. of enrollees (public elementary) 26,524
women: 12,759 men: 13,765
no. of enrollees (public secondary) 11,503
women: 5,962 men: 5,541
no. of elementary schools 125
no. of secondary schools 17

PUBLIC ORDER & SAFETY (Sources: PNP & BFP)
crime volume 6.5%
crime solution 98.1%