Friday, January 4, 2008

Quick Facts about Biliran Island

Yay! It seems that my posts are far in between!!! Anyways, I've promised I will have something about my island, so this is it. Fast facts for starters. We can get to details later, okay?

Quick facts: Province of Biliran


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.

Location

Biliran is an island province located on the eastern part of the Visayas group of island.The province belongs to Region VIII, the Eastern Visayas Region. It lies with geographic coordinates between latitude 11o28’00” to 11o50’00” and longitude 124o37’00”. It is bounded on the South by Carigara Bay, Samar Sea on the East, North by the Visayas Sea and the Strait of Biliran on the West.

How to get here

DZR Airport, Tacloban City, Leyte

PAL and Cebu Pacific serve direct Manila-Tacloban flight twice a day. From Tacloban City, air-conditioned shuttle vans and ordinary fare buses are available in going to Naval, capital town of Biliran province, 1 and a half to 2 hours away.

Mactan Internation Airport, Mactan, Cebu

Nearest international airport, also serves direct flight from Manila. From Cebu City, fast crafts (Supercat & Weesam Express) are available daily to Ormoc City, where air-conditioned shuttle vans connect the trip to Naval, 1 and a half to 2 hours away. Shipping lines (Cagayan Princess - Sulpicio) offer direct voyage to Naval from Cebu three times a week.

Aircon Shuttle Vans/Buses - serve the Naval – Tacloban City and Naval – Ormoc City routes. Naval – Manila route is served by several major bus lines.

Geography (Sources: DENR & TWGPGC, NSCB)

land area 555.5 sq. km.

no. of municipalities 8 (Naval – capital town, Almeria, Kawayan,
Maripipi, Culaba, Caibiran, Cabucgayan
and Biliran)

no. of barangays 132

Demography (Source: NSO, May 2004)

total population 140,270
household population
140,174
average annual growth rate (in percent)
1.28
proportion in age group [0-14 years]
40.5
proportion in age group [15-64 years]
54.0
proportion in age group [65 years & older]
5.4
number of households
27,090
average household size
5.02
sex ratio (males per 100 females)
103.3
dependency ratio
85.0
population density (persons/sq. km)
265.4

Communications

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

1 comment:

spacecoaster said...

The local government is building access stairs down to Tomalistis Falls. I think that the project is underway now. There will be a small parking area along the road above Brgy. Asug. Located about midway between Cabucgayan and Caibiran.

Tomalistis Falls has been called "The Sweetest Water in the World". It supplies the public water for Asug and part of Uson.