Isla de Panamao

In the early spanish time, the island was known as Isla de Panamao(The word Panamao referred to an ethnic fishing net). Panamao Island was the site of the first large-scale Spanish shipyard in the Philippines. But somehow, between 1668-1712, the name Isla de Panamao was change to Biliran, a name derived from a native grass called "Borobiliran" which grew abundantly on the plains.

On April 8, 1959, Republic Act No. 2141 made Biliran a sub-province of Leyte. The Lt. Governors who served Biliran include Hon. Uidario Reyes(1959-1963 and 1967-1971), Hon. Jorge Zamora(1963-1967).

On June 21, 1969, Republic Act No. 5977, enacted to amend the original character, changed the title Lt. Governor to Governor, with the executive power of a provincial governor. The Governors who next served the sub-province were Hon.Teofilo Sabonsolin (1971-1986), Hon. Jose Gonzales(1986-1992), and Hon. Wayne Jaro(March 24-July 9, 1992).

Biliran became a province when Republic Act. No.7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, converted all sub-provinces into independent provinces. On May 11, 1992, the people of Biliran and Leyte ratified in a plebiscite the conversion of the sub-province of Biliran into a regular province.

On June 30, 1998 former Vice Governor Danilo Parilla took his oath as the new Governor after the winning in the May 11, 1998 national elections. He replaced Hon. Wayne Jaro who was appointed Governor on May 8, 1995. Governor Danilo Parilla holds the distinction as the first elected Vice Governor of Biliran Province and as the Governor to observe the passage of the centenial Celebration.