STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS
GOVERNOR ROGELIO J. ESPINA, MD, FPOA
January 18, 2002

In the health sector, we are continually improving the Biliran Provincial Hospital’s facilities and infrastructure, which is the heart of our health delivery system. We have already allotted P9 million last year of which the construction is still going on. Another P7 million is allotted for this year’s budget.

We were also able to get a P2 million calamity fund from the office of Secretary Angelo Reyes of the DND for additional improvements in the hospital thru the unselfish efforts of our congressman, Hon. Gerry Espina. Magiging malaki po ang ating ospital, malinis at kahangahanga.

On top of this, we have procured new laboratory equipments like hematologic analyzer, microscopes and have requested funding for mobile x-ray machine, hospital beds, operating room equipments and others from the Local Government Service Equalization Fund in the amount of P35 million which is now at the DBM.

We also have facilitated the request of P16 million worth of medical equipment from the DILG thru a grant from the Spanish government that will include a 350 MA fixed x-ray machine, 2 70KW generators and other medical equipment that will further improve the delivery of basic health services in the Biliran Provincial Hospital.

We are able to acquire for free bedsheets, patients’ gown, hospital beds, bedside tables, wheelchairs, IV stands, surgical instruments, foodwarmers, medicine cabinets and some medical supplies from St. Lukes Medical Center. Aside from that, there is also a P1 million budget for this year for added equipment that will be needed in our hospital.

In order to complement the increase of patients treated in the Biliran Provincial Hospital and satellite clinics, we have employed 4 additional fulltime physicians and 3 additional part-time medical specialists to provide competent medical care to our patients. We have also provided for 3 additional items for fulltime medical specialists in order to departmentalize our medical professional service in the hospital to further focus the treatment of our physicians in their respective field in medicine.

I also requested the Department of Health to disperse to our hospital graduating residents in the field of medicine, anesthesia, surgery, OB, and pediatrics from government training institutions to augment our medical staff. I have also requested my wife, Dr. Cecil Espina, a diplomate in Pediatrics to provide voluntary services to our patients in the hospital which she has been doing to assist our doctors in pediatric care.

In addition, we have employed casual personnel such as 13 nurses, 9 institutional workers, 4 med-techs, 1 pharmacist and 1 pharmacy aide, 5 security guards, 4 clerks, 1 sanitary service inspectors, 3 food service workers, 2 cook helpers, 7 nursing attendants, 1 x-ray technician and 2 drivers in order to provide the utmost attention needed by our constituents being served by the hospital. In professional development, a Values Orientation Workshop was conducted to 40 hospital personnel to revitalize the proper conduct, attitude, and character towards work to enhance services in our hospital. We also have allotted funding for the procurement of medicines intended for the 134 barangay health centers all over the province and for medical missions.

We are reactivating our satellite hospitals in Culaba, Caibiran and the island municipality of Maripipi into satellite emergency clinics to lessen the burden of Biliranons who seek medical attention in the said areas and to provide prompt medical attention especially in emergency cases. Distributed in our satellite emergency clinics in Caibiran, Culaba and Maripipi are additional casual employees: 4 nurses, 4 watchmen, 2 drivers, 7 nursing aide, 1 utility, 1 clerk, and 1 med tech. The Maripipi Emergency clinic, which has been neglected for several years is presently undergoing repair and will soon be operational within the first quarter of the year.

We have turned over the Sea Ambulance to the municipality of Maripipi to facilitate early and speedy transport of patients from the island. We will provide additional new ambulance units to minimize the expenses incurred in the costly maintenance of the old ones.

To provide assistance for the 953 Barangay Health Workers, who are the front-liners in rural health care, we have provided additional honorarium for the last 6 months and they will continue to receive this honorarium for this year. Aside from this, all of our barangay health workers and their immediate families will be enrolled as PhilHealth members for their medical needs.

We will enroll 4,000 families – especially from the less privileged sectors of our society - for PhilHealth membership this year for them to avail cheaper hospitalization. All barangay tanods and barangay health workers all over the province will be included in this program.

To further augment the capabilities of our barangay health centers this year, all will be provided with a set of stethoscopes and sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitoring instrument.

Biliran province, as this administration has started to perform its duties, was awarded the Top Performer Award in the regional level by the Department of Health. As a result, we received a P1 million grant for medical care and a Plaque of Appreciation. Recently, the province also became the 1st province in Region 8 to be awarded as SENTRONG SIGLA, where all 8 municipal health centers of the province were certified and which qualified for the program.

LIVELIHOOD

However, providing proper health care for our constituents and receiving awards for our province is not enough to improve the quality of life for our people. Improving the economic condition of Biliran is another factor greatly needed to achieve a progressive Biliran. Hence, we have been supporting and implementing programs that will uplift the lives of our people. The positive effects of our programs may not be felt and experienced overnight, but we are hopeful that good results will be delivered in the long run.

Last year, we have provided financial assistance in the amount of P482,000 to eight cooperatives and associations from Naval, Biliran, Caibiran and Culaba. The assistance ranged from fertilizers, trading of produce to purchase of farming equipments in order to provide and sustain viable livelihood projects for these cooperatives and associations. For this purpose, we recently allocated P750,000 from our budget to put this programs on the go.

Being a province which is predominantly agricultural – agriculture – I believe, is our main solution for poverty alleviation. Mayaman po ang ating probinsiya. Malusog ang lupa at masagana ang tubig. Hence, we have en-tasked our Provincial Agriculturist to implement, among others, our vegetable seeds dispersal. This has already benefited 360 individual farmers, 217 members of 8 farmer associations and 5 municipal agricultural services offices.

We need to cultivate our land because I personally believe that with the right attitude of the Biliranons and with the support of the MAO and PAO, Biliran will emerge as the vegetable basket of Region 8 in the near future.

Last October, we have implemented our Plant-Now-Pay-Later program for grafted fruit trees. In this program, the provincial government, after proper evaluation of the land will provide the grafted fruit trees (mango, lanzones, rambutan, langka and kasoy) plus the necessary amount of fertilizer for a half or 1 hectare of land. Payment for the farming input materials would be received when the trees are already bearing fruits. A total of 33 hectares has already been planted with fruit trees with the assistance of the provincial government, and we will continue to do so until the time will come that our beloved Province of Biliran will the recognized as the Fruit Basket of the region.

To promote self-sufficiency in food crops, we recently launched the Dagdag Ani Program for our palay farmers. This program will definitely increase palay production of our farmers with less operating cost, thus improving their income and the general economic state of their families. In this process, the provincial government will provide free of charge a sack of certified palay seeds per hectare of ricefield. An increase in yield of 11 to 12 sacks of palay per hectare is expected. The province in return will only require them to return 1 sack of dried palay upon harvest.

It is worth mentioning that the provincial government will be fully paid of its loan incurred during the tenure of former Governor Wayne Jaro which was then used to purchase heavy equipments.

It is our great desire to avail another source of funding for the provincial government to be able to procure the much needed farm and heavy equipments. We hope to buy a bulldozer, one backhoe, two dump trucks, pay loader, truck mounted water drilling rig, two highland tractor and vehicles to carry market products.

The heavy equipment will be used to open and maintain farm-to-market roads to offer accessibility for farmers to bring their products to the market. Drilling rigs will provide the water that would nourish the crops, which are planted in lands prepared by the use of highland tractors.

Along with the package are new ambulances that would replace the old ones of which repairs and maintenance would be very costly.

To increase production of meat, dairy products, and the use of work animals, we are continually dispersing livestock, of which we have already distributed 160 piglets, 26 goats, 28 carabaos, 50 Kabir chickens and cattle. The idea is to allow reproduction to benefit other constituents in need of such livelihood. All these are available with the necessary terms and conditions for effective implementation and sustainability at the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian.

The fishery sector is likewise given emphasis in our development efforts. In the last six months, we have dispersed Tilapia fingerlings to 52 growers and Bangus fries to several bangus farmers. Aside from these, we are promoting Seaweed farming to our fisherfolks, which has a great market potential. There are now 3 seaweed farms which are in Brgy. Catmon and Libertad in Naval and Brgy. Bunga in Cabucgayan. At present, more and more people are inquiring on its production.

We are able to acquire 300 kilograms of seaweed from Giuan, Samar, which are presently in our seaweed farms ready for dispersal to interested fisherfolks. More so, the provincial government has already contacted the company which is willing to buy the harvested seaweeds per ton if available. The provincial government will provide technical assistance in growing the seaweeds and in the proper disposal to various buyers.

In order to ensure the natural production of fish in our territorial waters, the provincial government has implemented strict regulations in our two fish sanctuaries in Higatangan Island. It is now manned by 10 enforcers. We have also endorsed to the mayors of the different municipalities the task of identifying areas in their respective coastlines for establishing fish sanctuaries. We have supported their initiatives by providing buoys as markers in their fish sanctuaries.

As part of the awareness program, we have conducted a Marine Ecology Protection Seminar for all high school students of Higatangan Island. This is in cooperation with the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources in Samar, in an effort to enlighten our youth in Higatangan on the significance of coastal and aquatic resources protection.

Food security is one of our prime concerns and is given the most weight and importance in our agricultural program, to ensure that we will be able to cope up with the increasing demand for staple food as our population increases. This is aside the need to sustain adequate nutrition of our fellow Biliranons.

EDUCATION

To develop our fullest potential in the socio-economic aspect, we have to have a well-developed human resource base. Thus, education is always deemed important for our children and our future.

Last September, Biliran is the first province in Region 8 to launch the Mobile Information Technology Classroom. A forum was conducted which introduced computer technology to more than 1,000 elementary students in the municipality of Naval. The MITC project is in coordination with the Department of Education and DOST. For this, we intend to procure computer units from our Special Education Fund to be distributed to selected elementary and high schools provincewide.

We were also able to facilitate the approval, late last year, of the construction of the P11 million Department of Education Division Office Building in Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, which will be inaugurated within the year. For the past six months, I followed up the TEEP projects intended for our province and other requests of our teachers to the Office of DepEd Secretary Raul Roco. We are lucky because more of TEEP’s classroom projects are now being constructed in Caibiran, Culaba, Biliran, naval and in Cabucgayan. Aside from the construction of classrooms, repairs are also being realized.

We are also set to employ 300 students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this year, as a means to provide financial assistance to students of poor families to enroll as the school year opens.

Our educational sector in the province is upbeat in its role as catalyst for growth. Yet, we know that there are still a lot of needs to be fulfilled. Thru the Provincial School Board, we have allocated more than P300,000 from our Special Education Fund to hire ten additional contractual teachers for our pre-school and secondary schools that are in dire need for teachers.

We have assigned 3 contractual teachers to the Naval School of Fisheries, 1 to Almeria National High School, 1 to Manlabang National High School, 1 to the Pre-School of Caibiran SPED Center, 1 to Cabucgayan School of Arts and Trades and another 3 to Biliran National Agricultural High School. This initiative will benefit hundreds of students, the impact of which is translated to a brighter future for them.

PEACE AND ORDER

For so many years, Biliran enjoys the distinction of having zero insurgency rate, and low crime incidence, and we intend to remain as such. We started our administration by convening the provincial peace and order council, and providing logistical support for its operations. To improve the capability of our LGUs to safeguard their territorial waters against illegal fishing, we allocated a total amount of P750,000 for Bantay-Dagat operations. P100,000 was allocated for Naval, P50,000 for Almeria, P100,000 for Culaba, and P75,000 for Maripipi for the purchase of necessary sea crafts for their operations.

We should and must protect our aquatic and marine resources in order to sustain fish production. We will procure additional sea crafts to patrol our waters. We requested and have been promised 1 patrol boat by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for this year. For the reason that marine products are significant for our existence, we should not let any person destroy it or any of our natural resources. Fisherfolks, the residents and barangay officials should unite in order to curb illegal fishing. Let us not wait for the time to come when there will be not enough fish or marine products in our seas to suffice our ever increasing need for it.
To improve communications among our PNP and related agencies, the provincial government has provided 10 VHF radio base units, 3 mobile radio base units, and 11 handheld radio units to the PNP, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Coast Guard. Additional vehicles will also be provided to the PNP for this year to improve mobilization of police patrol groups.

We will not be soft on illegal activities such as gambling, illegal fishing, illegal quarrying, drug abuse and illegal logging. Earlier this month, I have apprehended 2 persons in the act of illegally cutting trees along our highway, and we have them placed behind bars. At our disposal, we have P500,000 budget for Intelligence funds which we will utilize to apprehend illegal activities, most especially illegal drug trafficking and addiction.

CLEAN, GREEN AND TOURISM PROGRAM

In the implementation of the Clean and Green Program, and in our local thrust to promote Biliran as an eco-tourism destination, our efforts are paying off. It is happy to note that Biliran province again won the Cleanest and Greenest Province in Region 8 for the year 2001. This is a feat in itself, but we need to redouble our efforts to sustain the beautiful gifts of nature and improve our amenities as an island paradise.

Recently I have launched our “Flower Along the Highway” program and I have been urging our barangays officials and the civil society to plant flowering plants along our highways and major thoroughfares. This blooming activity is set to complement our successful clean and green program. With the support of everyone, we will make Biliran a true paradise we want it to be and in the process, we may claim for Biliran a national award it deserves.

With our beautification contest in the barangays along the highways, we will also continue our Clean and Green contest for barangays provincewide. This needs everybody’s cooperation.

Our province has participated in the recent Travel Mart in Manila where the province’s beautiful spots were featured thru brochures and large pictures, and introduced by our staff to several visitors on the duration of the fair.

EMPLOYMENT AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

In the quest to assist the unemployed constituents in the province, we have created the Provincial Employment Service Office. We have the office furnished with computer set for access to Philjobnet. The office continue to establish a registry of skills, from which, thru official representation, we will introduce to multi-national companies applicants who meet their qualifications.

As a prelude to our Biliran Day Celebration, we have scheduled a Job’s Fair on May 3 wherein we seek to invite employers from Manila and Cebu to provide chances for our constituents to be employed. We hope to realize this to mitigate unemployment in the province.

Youth development takes an upward turn in the present administration, thru the organization of the DOK ROGER’s 4H Club in most barangays of the province, which aims to focus development efforts to our out-of-school youths. A brain child of the Office of the Governor thru the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services, we have provided leadership training to youth leaders. We also provided vegetable seeds to the youths’ communal vegetable gardens, livestock dispersal and sports equipment. All of these are geared to develop the youth’s head, heart, hand and health for them to find a better use of their time such as their involvement in community development.

As a result, we have inducted DOK Roger’s 4H Club officers and members in 40 barangays provincewide with an estimated number of 2,000 youths and we will continue to do so. Being the future leaders of this province and of our country, this program on youth development is one of the most important this present administration has undertaken.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

Some of our notable accomplishments for the year that ended include among others the reinstatement of the twenty employees of the capitol who were terminated from work as a result of the reorganization in 1998. We also have made the effort of improving the physical working conditions of our employees in the provincial capitol so as to push their motivation and self-confidence in the place of work. In promoting the rule of law and practice of democratic leadership, the present administration allowed the organization of the employees’ association in the provincial goverment. We considered the employee association as a partner in assuring their welfare, safety and well-being.

These laudable accomplishments would have not materialized without the wholehearted assistance and dedication to work of all the line and support departments of the provincial government.

But above all, these accomplishments for the year 2001 could not have been realized, and our proposed programs and projects for this year will not materialize, without the strong support of the good lady and gentlemen of this body.

I closing, I wish to thank you, Honorable Gentlemen and Lady of the Sanggunian, for passing the P150,169,855.82 budget of the provincial government. I thank you that during my term as Governor, this highly esteemed body approved, for the first time, the provincial annual budget prior to the start of the calendar year.

With our unconditional support and those of the capitol employees, the local government units, and all of the stakeholders to my administration, our aspirations will soon become a reality. Let us then work harder to make Biliran as progressive as it can be.

Maraming Salamat po at mabuhay tayong lahat.