History

The ancient Filipinos called the island Panamao. It was renamed Biliran after the grass that grew abundantly in the island called "borobiliran". Jesuit missionaries established missions in the island in the 1600 along with a shipyard and a mission hospital. However, continuous Moro incursions depopulated Biliran Island and for most of the Spanish period, it was lightly settled. In 1712, the first town on the island was created. Biliran was the only town on the island and was previously a visita of the town of Leyte. It was not until the 19^th century, with the wane of the Moro raids, that immigrants from Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol and Iloilo proceeded to settle in Biliran.

The island was once part of the province of Cebu. In 1735, Biliran, together with the islands of Leyte and Samar were constituted as a separate province. In 1768, when Samar and Leyte were divided, Biliran became part of Leyte. It remained part of that province until 1959, when it was constituted as a sub-province with the enactment of Republic Act No. 2141. Finally, in May 1992, the island became a separate province of the Philippines by virtue of Republic Act No. 7160.

People, Culture and the Arts

It is not surprising for Biliran to share so many charateristics with the Leyteños, having been an integral part of Leyte until 1992. The interior mountains divide the island into geographic halves that correspond to two distinct ethno-linguistic areas. Those living on the eastern side speak Waray, while those living on the western side speak Cebuano. The people of Biliran are a mixture of migrants from Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Panay and Negros. In the vicinity of Biliran, ceramic pottery made from white clay is produced.

Trade and Investments

Biliran, located across the northeastern part of Leyte, offers an abundance of agricultural, aquamarine, livestock, and mineral resources as well as a myriad array of scenic spots. The province has a land area of 55,550 hectares that enjoys evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Population, based on a 1990 census, registered a total of 118,012 inhabitants, 40,679 of which form the local labor force with a 60% participation rate.

Biliran is accessible mainly by sea. There are six municipal seaports in Biliran and the province’s principal seaport in Naval can accommodate small to medium vessels that ply regular routes to Cebu. The province also has a feeder airport that can accommodate general aviation aircrafts. The local road network as of 1994 stretches to 439 km, 11.40% of which is concrete while the remaining 88.60% are earth roads. Communication is facilitated mainly by mail, although long distance telephone services, as well as telegraph services, are available in the municipality of Naval. The province hosts two government banks, one rural bank, six credit cooperatives and three lending investors. Electricity is available throughout the main island while 73% of the province enjoys formal waterworks systems and the remaining 27% source water from communal artesian wells.

The province of Biliran offers business ventures in agriculture and livestock production, commercial fishing, mining and tourism. The 55,500 hectares of land in the province could easily support a variety of agricultural crops such as palay, corn, vegetables, fruits and even citronella. Livestock and poultry production are likewise feasible ventures as well as commercial scale fishing activities. While the province has mineral reserves of an undetermined volume of gypsum, sulfur deposits are estimated to reach 320 metric tons in the municipality of Culaba. Biliran's natural wonders may yet to be the best investment opportunity in the province. Biliran's scenic areas that include sparklingly clean, white beaches, beautiful islands, and waterfalls that could easily support resorts and other tourist based ventures. The growing interest in the province's potential as a tourist destination, combined with the government’s efforts to support tourism, can further boost Biliran’s status as a site for tourist based industries.

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