This document provides a status report on the Millennium Development Goals in the Province of Biliran, Philippines using data from the Community-Based Monitoring System. It begins with an acknowledgements section and messages of support. It then provides a profile of Biliran Province with information on history, geography, population, economy, infrastructure, and local governance. The main body evaluates progress on each of the 8 MDGs based on quantitative and qualitative data. It concludes with priorities, financing strategies, and plans for continued monitoring toward meeting all MDG targets by 2015.

1. Province of BILIRAN
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Philippines Fourth Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals using CBMS Data - Province of Province of Marinduque

2. Status Report on the
Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs)
Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

3. Foreword
This document titled Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
is the first provincial report which the province of Biliran has made with regard to attaining
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is an embodiment of the aspirations set forth
in the Millennium Declaration, with the analyses of the data based on the first round of the
Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) survey conducted in the entire province,
and the culmination of the collaboration of the PEP-CBMS Network Coordinating Team, the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Philippines, and the nine pilot provinces.
Although this report aims to measure and report on the progress of the LGU toward attaining
the MDGs, it does so by comparing the status of the LGU in 2005 and 2006 with the target
indicators; it does not attempt to present an annual assessment of progress, which is done in
the national progress report.
The Millennium Declaration has set 2015 as the target year by which most of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), which established the benchmarks for reducing extreme poverty
in practically all its dimensions, will have been attained. There are eight MDGs covered in this
report, namely: 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; 2. Achieve universal primary educa-
tion; 3. Promote gender equality and empower women; 4. Reduce child mortality; 5. Improve
maternal health; 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; 7. Ensure environmental
sustainability; and 8. Develop a global partnership for development.
In 2005, the CBMS survey was conducted in the municipality of Cabucgayan as a pilot LGU.
The following year, the CBMS survey was conducted in the rest of the seven municipalities
through the initiative of Governor Rogelio J. Espina and the Provincial Government of Biliran,
with funding support from the Institute for Democratic Participation in Governance (IDPG), a
non-government organization, and in coordination with the municipal LGUs, the Department
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the PEP-CBMS Network Coordinating Team.
In October 2009, the Provincial Planning and Development Office of Biliran accepted the
invitation of the PEP-CBMS to join the project on the Preparation of Provincial MDG Reports. The
collaboration was effected by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) ratified by the Sangguni-
ang Panlalawigan (SP) through SP Resolution No. 312, s. 2009. Thereafter, the Provincial MDG
Team was created and composed of Engineer/EnP Danilo L. Bonifacio, Provincial Planning
and Development Coordinator (PPDC); Mr. Remigio S. Delfin, Planning Officer IV; and Mr.
Oscar O. Borrinaga, Administrative Assistant I, all belonging to the Provincial Planning and
Development Office (PPDO).
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

4. The project aimed to capacitate selected provincial governments to systematically measure,
monitor, and report progress toward the attainment of the MDGs. The objectives were to track
local progress toward the attainment of the MDGs, formulate a standard guide or methodol-
ogy on how to prepare Provincial MDG Reports, and increase local awareness on how these
reports can bridge local and national development strategies. To achieve these objectives,
a series of training sessions were conducted, and aptly, the first session was a workshop on
Processing of CBMS Data to Generate MDG Indicators.
The main report consists of three parts: 1) a profile of the province, 2) progress report on
the MDGs, and 3) a brief account on how the 2015 targets can be met. The section dealing
with the provincial profile is limited to certain aspects of the LGU that have some relation to
the MDG indicators whereas the presentation of the progress report is more detailed as it
includes quantitative and qualitative data and information. Under the progress report section
are tables and poverty maps that show the LGU’s current status and trends on attaining the
MDG targets, the LGU’s policies and programs being implemented, the challenges it faces to
meet the targets, and where appropriate, a short discussion showcasing its notable programs
and projects.
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Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

5. Acknowledgments
The members of the Provincial MDG Team of Biliran gratefully acknowledge the invaluable
support to this project by the Honorable Provincial Governor Rogelio J. Espina, MD, FPOA,
for his leadership and unwavering support not only in the preparation of this report but
also in the conduct of the first round of the CBMS Survey; and by the PEP-CBMS Network
Coordinating Team, through its team leader, Dr. Celia M. Reyes, and her staff for the technical
assistance and guidance throughout the course of the report preparation. Special mention
is made to Mr. Marsmath A. Baris, Jr., who is the focal person of the MDG Mentoring Team
for the province of Biliran.
The team would also like to extend its thanks and gratitude to the United Nations Develop-
ment Programme in the Philippines for the support and advice through Ms. Corazon Urquico,
portfolio manager; the NEDA-Social Development Staff (SDS) for providing useful inputs,
especially during the critiquing; the participants from other provincial LGUs for the sharing of
experiences and ideas; the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCs) of
the Province of Biliran, who were responsible for overseeing the conduct of the CBMS Survey
in the province, upon which this report is largely based; and to all those who have contributed
in one way or another to the completion of this report.
Biliran Provincial MDG Team
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

6. Message
The preparation of provincial MDGs reports is a critical step that Local Govern-
ment Units (LGUs) have taken in the overall effort to localize the MDGs. As it is
often said, the MDGs will be ‘won or lost’ at the local level given the conditions
of uneven progress and disparities across regions and provinces in the country.
Beyond the national averages, one can see wide disparities on the gains
in poverty reduction, universal education, child mortality and maternal health.
This situation reinforces the notion that the progress of each province is just as
important as the achievements of the country as a whole. After all, the Philippines’
progress towards the MDGs, is the sum of the efforts and gains of all LGUs.
By preparing provincial reports, LGUs are provided vital information on
the status of the MDGs in their areas of influence. These reports are important
sources of information for planning, resource allocation and priority setting that LGUs are tasked
under their mandate of effective local governance. Likewise, in the course of the preparation of the
reports, the capacity of LGUs to collect, monitor and use data for decision making has been greatly
enhanced. The reports also show how far the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) that
UNDP has supported can go in terms of its use.
Against the backdrop of renewed optimism emanating from the new political leadership, this first
set of nine Provincial Reports on the MDGs is a timely and important milestone. The reports provide
crucial insights on how to overcome the constraints in achieving the MDGs locally as the country
gears towards the last stretch to attain the eight goals by 2015. They also emphasize the important
role of active collaboration of political leaders, stakeholders, and donors in achieving the MDGs.
I wish to commend the nine Provincial Governments that prepared their reports – the Agusan
del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Biliran, Camarines Norte, Eastern Samar, Marinduque, Romblon, Saran-
gani and Siquijor Province – the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Network and the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for working together in bringing about this
important accomplishment.
With this initiative, it is hoped that other provinces will follow suit to attain nationwide support
for the need to accelerate the pace of the achievement of the MDGs by 2015.s
Dr
Dr. Jacqueline Badcock
UN Resident Coordinator and
UNDP Resident Representative
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Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

7. Message
Republic of the Philippines
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE
6543 Naval, Biliran
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
First of all, we wish to thank the CBMS Network Coordinating Team for
its technical assistance in the preparation of the Provincial MDG Report of
Biliran and to the UNDP-Philippines for galvanizing support for this tehni-
cal collaboration, both of which have greatly facilitated the completion of
this report. Special thanks also go to the staff of NEDA-SDS and the other
provincial governments who took part in this project for their valuable insights in the crafting
of the document. We are truly glad that there is now a subnational (provincial level) MDG
publication so that we may learn from other LGUs’ concrete experiences and best practices
as well as share our own in pursuing particular goals.
As we move closer to 2015 when the goals and targets that have been set in the Millen-
nium Declaration are supposed to be met, the formulation of the provincial report enables the
concerned LGU to realistically keep track of the progress it has made in attaining these goals
and targets at the local level because the assessment is based on the results of the CBMS
survey. Initially, it would be difficult to measure and evaluate how we are faring in achieving
the global goals and determining the extent of our contribution to the national commitment
based on just a single round of CBMS survey conducted provincewide several years ago.
However, we are convinced there is much to gain from this initiative when we have completed
the second round by the end of 2010.
Furthermore, the publication of this report will help promote transparency in local
governance and make us local officials more accountable to our constituents in the pursuit of
our own development agenda, especially those that are aligned with the MDGs. The MDG
targets will be our guiding posts and, at the same time, serve as the bar by which our efforts—the
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

8. services we have to deliver and the programs and projects we need to implement—will be
measured. Meeting most, if not all, of these MDG targets would translate, to a great extent,
to obtaining our vision of promoting the well-being and uplifting the living conditions of our
constituents.
Let us put into action the lessons and insights we have gained from this undertaking so
that in our own little way we can help liberate our people from poverty and deprivation—by
sustaining our own interventions that have proved to be successful; by adopting and replicating
other LGUs’/agencies’ strategies to the targets that we find difficult to attain; and by simply
attuning our activities to the actual needs of our local communities, which we can ascertain
through the CBMS.
ROGELIO J. ESPINA, MD, FPOA
Governor
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Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

9. Table of Contents
Foreword ........................................................................................................ 2
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................. 4
Messages UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Jacqueline Badcock ............................... 5
Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina, MD, FPOA ..................................... 6
Table of Contents ................................................................................................. 8
List of Acronyms .................................................................................................. 10
List of Tables ....................................................................................................... 13
List of Figures ...................................................................................................... 15
Executive Summary ...................................................................................... 16
Part 1. Provincial Profile
1. History ........................................................................................ 23
2. Geo-physical Environment ............................................................. 24
3. Population and Social Environment ................................................ 26
4. Local Economy ............................................................................... 29
5. Infrastructure/Utilities/Facilities ....................................................... 30
6. Local Institutional Capability ........................................................... 32
Part 2. Status Report on the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Goal 1 - Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger .................................................... 33
Goal 2 - Achieve Universal Primary Education ....................................................... 45
Goal 3 - Promote Gender Equality ....................................................................... 55
Goal 4 - Reduce Child Mortality .......................................................................... 59
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

10. Table of Contents
Goal 5 - Improve Maternal Health ........................................................................... 65
Goal 6 - Combat HIV / AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases ....................................... 69
Goal 7 - Ensure Environmental Sustainability ........................................................ 72
Goal 8 - Develop a Global Partnership for Development ....................................... 82
Part 3. Meeting the 2015 Challenge
Priority Programs and Policy Responses ...................................................... 86
Financing the MDGs ................................................................................ 87
Monitoring the MDGs .................................................................................. 88
Explanatory Text .......................................................................................... 89
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Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

11. List of Acronyms
ADB Asian Development Bank
AIP Annual Investment Program
ALS Alternative Learning System
ARMM Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
BEMONC Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care
BESRA Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda
BHCs Barangay Health Councils
BHS Barangay Health Stations
BHTs Barangay Health Teams
BHWs Barangay Health Workers
BILECO Biliran Electric Cooperative
BNS Barangay Nutrition Scholar
BPH Biliran Provincial Hospital
BPITLC Biliran Provincial Information Learning and Technology Center
BWSAs Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Associations
CBMS Community-Based Monitoring System
CEMONC Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care
CFSS Child-Friendly School System
CHED Commission on Higher Education
CHP Child Health Program
CIS Communal Irrigation System
CMP Community Mortgage Program
CNSAT Cabucgayan National School of Arts and Trades
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CSR Cohort Survival Rate
DepEd Department of Education
DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DILG Department of Interior and Local Government
DM Diabetes Mellitus
DOH Department of Health
DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways
DSWD Department of Social Welfare and Development
DTI Department of Trade and Industry
EAP Educational Assistance Project
EC European Community
ECCD Early Childhood Care and Development
EMIS Education Management Information System
FPW Framework Plan for Women
GASTPE Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

12. GER Gross Enrolment Rate
GOP Government of the Philippines
HCVD Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
HEPO Health Education Promotion Officer
HSPSP Health Sector Policy Support
ICT Information and Communication Technology
IFMA Industrial Forestry Management Agreement
ILHZ Inter Local Health Zone
IMCI Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses
IPHO Integrated Provincial Health Office
IRA Internal Revenue Allotment
JBIC Japan Band of International Cooperation
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
LAVE Livelihood, Agriculture, Values, and Entrepreneurship
LCIP Learning Competency Improvement Program
LGUs Local Government Units
MCHP Maternal and Child Healthcare Program
MDG Millennium Development Goal
MDR Maternal Death Review
MGB Mines and Geosciences Bureau
MHOs Municipal Health Officers
MHP Maternal Health Program
MPS Mean Percentage Scores
NDA National Dairy Authority
NDCC National Disaster Coordinating Council
NER Net Enrolment Rate
NGAs National Government Agencies
NIT Naval Institute of Technology (now NSU for Naval State University)
NPC-SPUG National Power Corporation-Small Power Utilities Group
NSCB National Statistical and Coordination Board
NSO National Statistics Office
OGA Other Government Agencies
OPAS Office of Provincial Agricultural Services
PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office
PEPT Philippine Educational Placement Test
PESO Public Employment Service Office
PCDP Provincial Comprehensive Development Plan (PCDP)
PCWWI Provincial Council for WomenÊs Welfare, Inc.
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Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

13. List of Acronyms
PHN Public Health Nurse
PIP Provincial Investment Program
PIPH Provincial Investment Plan for Health
PLDT Philippine Long Distance Telephone
POs Peoples Organizations
PPMDOTS Public Private Mix Directly Observed Treatment Short Course
PSSP Provincial Sanitation Sector Plan
PSPIP Provincial Strategic Plan and Investment Program
PSWDO Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office
PTB Pulmonary Tuberculosis
PWDs Persons with Disabilities
RDI Rural Development Institute
RHMs Rural Health Midwives
RHU Rural Health Units
RSET Regional Social and Economic Trends
RWSSP Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project
RYF Responsible Youth and Family
SBD School Building Program
SBRMS School-Based Repair and Maintenance Scheme
SCALA Sharing Computer Access Locally and Abroad
SEDIP Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project
SFI Schools First Initiative
SIFMA Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement
SK Sangguniang Kabataan
SMMEs Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises
SY School Year
TB Tuberculosis
TBA Trained Birth Attendants
TBDC Tuberculosis Diagnostic Committee
TEEP Third Elementary Education Program
TESDA Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
TLV/TVE Technical Livelihood/Vocational Education
WHTs WomenÊs Health Teams
WORD-KALIPI WomenÊs Organization for Rural Development-Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

14. List of Tables
Table 1. Summary of Findings of MDG Indicators, Province of Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 2. Comparative Status of MDG Attainment, Province of Biliran
Table 3. Profile of Municipalities
Table 4. Vital Health Indices, 2006
Table 5. Performance Indicators in Government Schools, Division of Biliran, 2005-2009
Table 6. Status of National and Provincial Roads, Province of Biliran, 2008-2009
Table 7. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 8. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population Below Poverty Threshold, by Sex, by Urban/Rural and by
Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 9. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population Living Below the Food Threshold, by Sex, by Urban/Rural, and
by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 10. Poverty Gap Ratio, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 11. Employment Rate, by Sex, by Urban/Rural, and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 12. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population Who Experienced Food Shortage, by Sex, by Urban/Rural and
by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 13. Prevalence of Underweight Children Under 5 Years of Age, by Sex, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality,
Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 14. Achieve Universal Primary Education, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 15 Magnitude and Proportion of Children Aged 6-12 Years Old Enrolled in Elementary School, by Sex,
By Urban/Rural, and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 16. Magnitude and Proportion of Children Aged 13-16 Years Old Enrolled in High School, by Sex,
By Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 17. Magnitude and Proportion of Children Aged 6-16 Years Old Enrolled in School, by Sex,
By Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 18. Literacy Rate of 15- to 24-Year-Olds, by Sex, By Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 19. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 20. Ratio of Girls to Boys in Primary Education, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 21. Ratio of Girls to Boys in Secondary Education, By Urban/Rural, and By Municipality
Table 22. Ratio of Girls to Boys in Tertiary Education, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 23. Ratio of Literate Females to Literate Males Aged 15-24 Years Old, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality,
Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 24. Magnitude and Proportion of Elective Seats Held by Women, by Municipality, Biliran, 2007
Table 25. Reduce Child Mortality, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 26. Magnitude and Proportion of Children Aged 0 to Less than 5 Years Old who Died, by Sex,
By Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
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Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

15. List of Tables
Table 27. Magnitude and Proportion of Infants Who Died, by Sex, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 28. Magnitude and Proportion of Children Aged 1 to Less than 5 Who Died, by Sex, By Urban/Rural,
and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 29. Improve Maternal Health Summary Table, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 30. Magnitude and Proportion of Female Deaths due to Pregnancy-Related Causes, by Urban/Rural
and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 31. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 32. Ensure Environmental Sustainability, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 33. Proportion of Land Area Covered by Forest, by Municipality, Biliran, 2006
Table 34. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population with Access to Safe Drinking Water,
by Sex, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 35. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population with Access to Sanitary Toilet Facilities,
by Sex, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 36. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population Who Are Informal Settlers, by Sex,
by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 37. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population Who Are Living in Makeshift Housing,
by Sex, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 38. Magnitude and Proportion of Households/Population Who are Living in Inadequate Living Conditions,
by Sex, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 39. Develop a Global Partnership for Development, Provincial Summary, Province of Biliran
Table 40. Magnitude and Proportion of Households with Cellphones, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 41. Magnitude and Proportion of Households with Computers, by Urban/Rural and by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Table 42. Summary of Incomes and Expenditures, Biliran Province (2006-2009)
Table 43. The CBMS-MDG Indicators and their Definition
Table 44. Poverty and Food Thresholds
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

16. List of Figures
Figure 1. Location Map
Figure 2. Province of Biliran
Figure 3. Age/Sex Structure, 2007
Figure 4. Proportion of Population Below Poverty Threshold, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 5. Proportion of Population Below Food Threshold, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 6. Poverty Gap Ratio, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 7. Employment Rate, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 8. Proportion of Population Who Experienced Food Shortage, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 9. Prevalence of Underweight Children Under Five Years of Age, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 10. Proportion of Children Aged 6-12 Years Old Enrolled in Elementary School,
by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 11. Proportion of Children Aged 13-16 Years Old Enrolled in High School, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 12. Proportion of Children Aged 6-16 Years Old Enrolled in School, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 13. Literacy Rate of Population of 15- to 24-Year-Olds, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 14. Proportion of Elective Seats Held by Women, by Municipality, Biliran, 2007
Figure 15. Proportion of Children Aged 0 to Less than 5 Years Old Who Died, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 16. Proportion of Infants Who Died, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 17. Proportion of Children Aged 1 to Less than 5 Years Old Who Died, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 18. Proportion of Women Deaths Due to Pregnancy-Related Causes, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 19. Death Rates Associated with Tuberculosis, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 20. Proportion of Population With Access to Safe Drinking Water, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 21. Proportion of Population With Access to Sanitary Toilet Facilities, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 22. Proportion of Population Who are Informal Settlers, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 23. Proportion of Population Who Live in Makeshift Housing, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 24. Proportion of Population Living in Inadequate Living Conditions, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 25. Proportion of Households With Cellphones, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 26. Proportion of Households With Computers, by Municipality, Biliran, 2005-2006
Figure 27. CBMS Coverage in the Philippines (as of May 12, 2010)
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Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

17. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Biliran is an island province located was conducted in the seven municipalities in
between the islands of Leyte and Samar in 2006 following the successful implementa-
Eastern Visayas. From being a subprovince tion of the same survey in the municipality of
of Leyte, it became a regular province Cabucgayan in 2005 as a pilot LGU.
on May 11, 1992, after a plebiscite was
conducted in accordance with the provi- At the time the survey was conducted
sions of Republic Act (R.A.) 7160, also (mainly in 2006), the total population was
known as the 1992 Local Government 144,238, of which the males constituted 50.9
Code of the Philippines. The province is percent (73,397) and the females accounted
composed of eight municipalities and for 49.1 percent (70,841). As there were 30,763
132 barangays and has a total land area households, the average household size was
of 555.42 square kilometers (sq km). It computed to be 5 (4.7) persons. The annual
is classified as a fourth-class province per capita threshold of Biliran was placed
and is one of the poorest provinces in at PhP12,966 (P12,100 for Cabucgayan) for
the country. Its lack of financial, material, the urban areas and PhP12,137 (P10,700 for
and manpower resources might hinder its Cabucgayan) for the rural areas. The food
ability and capacity to meet the Millennium threshold was set at PhP8,948 (PhP8,350 for
Development Goals (MDGs). Cabucgayan) and PhP8,786 (PhP7,746 for
Cabucgayan) for the urban and rural areas,
Despite the constraints, Biliran vigor- respectively.
ously pursued the programs and projects that
would lead to the attainment of the targets The following presents a summary of the
set in the Millennium Declaration. Through MDG report of the province of Biliran using
this report, we can determine the extent to the results of the CBMS survey in 2006.
which the MDGs have been achieved using
data from the local government unit’s (LGU) Good News
Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) • The provincial average ratio of girls to
survey in 2005-2006 and, where possible, boys in primary education was 1.0, which is
compare these levels with the national and/ already the ideal ratio in the MDG. This means
or regional levels and targets. This report does that there are as many girls as there are boys
not attempt to measure the rate of progress attending elementary school. This situation is
the LGU has made in recent years considering almost the same both in the urban (0.98) and
that only a single round of the CBMS survey rural (0.99) areas.
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Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

18. living below the poverty line. Proportion of • The survey further revealed that 3,706
the population living below the poverty line, households experienced food shortage; this
however, was 70.4 percent, which is equivalent represents 12.1 percent of the total number
to 101,667 Biliranons. of households. The magnitude of the popula-
• Around 16,217 households were living tion was 19,250, and there were more males
below the food threshold. This is equivalent (9,955) than females (9,295) who experienced
to 52.9 percent of the total number of house- food shortage.
holds. The magnitude of the population living • Also, 10,804 households (35.1%) were
below the food threshold was 84,848 or 53.4 living in inadequate situations.
percent of the total population.
• There were a total of 14,897 children aged Meeting the 2015 Challenge
13-16 in the province, which are composed
of 7,846 males (52.7%) and 7,051 females The results of the CBMS survey in the
(47.3%). The magnitude of the population province in 2006 give an indication that
aged 13-16 who are enrolled in high school some, if not most, of the MDG targets can
was around 8,388, representing 56.3 percent. be attained by 2015. Meeting these targets,
Proportion of children aged 6-16 who were however, would require initiative and political
nerolled in school is 82.6 percent. This means will on the part of the leaders who would
that of the 42,946 children belonging to this be elected in the May 10, 2010, elections.
age bracket, only 35,456 children found ways In addition, the commitment of the other
to be in school. This finding also implies that program partners is necessary in sustaining
most of the children who were not in school at a reasonable rate the achievement of the
belong to the 13-16 age group. The forego- MDG targets within the remaining years.
ing data underscore the fact that although
elementary and secondary education in To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger,
public schools are free, many other factors agri-fishery production must be improved
were preventing children from continuing their by intensifying and diversifying farming and
studies, foremost of which is poverty. fishery programs through better production
• During the survey period, Biliran registered technologies and the provision of support
93 deaths among children aged 0 to less infrastructure. Increased income of families
than 5 years old. Of this number, 54 were and the generation of livelihood opportuni-
males (58.1%) and 39 (41.9%) were females. ties can be addressed by developing small,
Around 16,761 children belonging to this age medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in
bracket. This segment of the population was all municipalities of the province. An efficient
concentrated in rural areas (78.2%). marketing strategy has to be institutionalized
• There were forty (40) infants who died in and access to credit needs to be enhanced.
2006, 25 of which were males (62.5%) while Developing the local tourism industry
15 were females (37.5%). The number of can contribute greatly to providing more
infants then was 2,915, in which 1,500 (51.5%) employment opportunities as well as insti-
were males and 1,415 were females (48.5%). tutionalizing the Public Employment Service
Infant mortality rate was 13.5 per 1,000 live Office (PESO) and conducting regular jobs
births. Majority of the children (77.8%) was in fairs. Sustaining the supplemental feeding
the rural areas. program would also require greater partici-
17
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

19. • In secondary education, the ratio of girls to Not-so-Good News
boys was 1.1, indicating that girls are performing • The survey showed that there were more
well than boys. In rural areas, the ratio was 1.04 literate males than females in the 15-24 age
and in the urban areas, 1.13. In tertiary educa- bracket and the ratio of girls-to-boys was
tion, on the other hand, the same ratio of 1.1 0.9. This observation apllies both to rural and
was estimated. Unlike in secondary education, urban areas.
boys outnumber girls in urban areas. • About 451 out of the 1,159 local elective
• Proportion of households with access to posts, or 39 percent of the total elective seats,
safe drinking water was quite high at 93.6 were occupied by women. The positions
percent, covering a total of 28,783 households. considered included that of the SK president.
Proportion of population with access, however, • Six (6) pregnancy-related deaths were
was 93.5 percent, which is equivalent to a total recorded in the province; one case took place
number of 134,890 persons. Urban areas had in an urban area while five deaths occurred
higher access at 98.7 percent than rural areas in rural areas. The maternal mortality ratio per
with only 92.0 percent. 100,000 live births was 205.4 while proportion
• Proportion of households living as informal of pregnancy-related deaths was 0.2.
settlers was 2.5 percent, which is equivalent • In terms of the prevalence and number
to 768 households. In terms of population, the of deaths associated with tuberculosis, there
proportion was 2.6 percent, or 3,726 persons. were 27 reported deaths consisting of 16
• There were around 1,203 living in makeshift males (59.3%) and 11 females (40.7%). Ten
housing, representing 3.9 percent of the total (10) incidents occurred in urban areas while
number of households. Proportion of the 17 cases happened in rural areas. Proportion
population living in makeshift housing, on the of deaths associated with tuberculosis was
other hand, was 3.8 percent, representing about 18.7 per 100,000 population).
5,490 people. • Proportion of households with access
• Mortality rate among children aged 0 to less to sanitary toilet facilities was 71.5 percent,
than 5 is 6 per 1,000 live births. The under-five representing 21,978 households, had access.
mortality rate, on the other hand, registered Proportion of the population with access to
at 27.1, which was 15.9 points lower than the sanitation, however, was 71.3 percent, which
regional average (43.0) and was better than is equivalent to around 102,929 persons. Rural
the national average of 32.0. According to the population had lower access to sanitation at
National Statistical and Coordination Board 68.2 percent than urban population, with 81.8
(NSCB), the under-five mortality rate of Eastern percent.
Visayas (43.0) was the second-highest in the • The magnitude of employed population
country, next to Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) and was estimated to be 39,730. There were more
the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao employed males (28,877 or 82.4%) than
(ARMM), both of which have 45.0 (RSET Report females (10,853 or 62.4%). The employment
2009). rate, meanwhile, was 75.8 percent.
• Literacy rate among the population aged
15-24 was 97.1 percent. Posing a Great Challenge
• There were no reported cases of HIV/AIDS
in Biliran as per report of the Provincial Health • In 2006, 19,941 households (or 65.0%
Office (PHO). of the total number of households) were
18
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

20. pation from nongovernment organizations Financing the MDG
(NGOs) and the private sector.
From 2006 to 2009, the average annual
In terms of providing universal education, income growth rate of the province of Biliran
the Learning Competency Improvement was only 8.34 percent. The Internal Revenue
Program (LCIP) can be strengthened by Allotment (IRA) remained the biggest single
establishing functional reading projects in all source, accounting for 90.62 percent (2006-
schools and making use of computer-aided 2009), but its annual growth rate for the same
learning materials. Also, the implementation period was only 7.78 percent. The remaining 9.38
of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) can percent of income came from local taxes. On
be improved by providing adequate supplies the other hand, the expenditures of the province
and instructional materials. grew at an average rate of 12.82%. The largest
component went to personal services (53.44%),
In the area of health, the implementa- followed by maintenance and other operating
tion of the Maternal and Child Healthcare expenses (MOOE) at 42.33 percent, financial
Program (MCHP) has to be sustained and expenses (1.14%), and subsidies given to LGUs
continuous advocacy on a healthy lifestyle at 3.09 percent.
and avoidance or prevention of infectious
diseases has to be undertaken. Adequate Faced with this tight financial situation, the
and efficient water supply and sanitation province needs to develop a workable and
facilities in underserved areas should be effective revenue generation plan to improve
installed. and increase tax collection. It also has to
forge strong partnerships with NGOs and the
The lives of slum dwellers can be improved private sector and tap all available assistance
through proper planning of settlements. from the national government and foreign
Beneficiaries of government housing and organizations so that it can carry out the
resettlement projects must be thoroughly programs and projects necessary to achieve
assessed and selected, especially for the Core the MDG targets, particularly those that
Shelter Project and the Community Mortgage require convergence of efforts and resources.
Program (CMP).
Monitoring the MDG
On reversing the loss of environmental
resources, environmental laws should be The CBMS is considered as the most effec-
strictly enforced by concerned government tive tool for monitoring the MDGs at the local
agencies. The government should continue to level insofar as the LGUs that implemented the
provide protective infrastructure to hazard- CBMS surveys are concerned. Other monitor-
prone areas, regulate indiscriminate land ing tools, however, may be used to help track
conversion to protect prime and viable agricul- progress in achieving the MDGs, particularly
tural lands, encourage urban expansion to those tools that have been developed and
environmentally compatible areas, and review actually used by line agencies of the national
and update the land-use plans and zoning of government to attain their respective specific
the municipalities. targets.
19
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

21. Table 1. Summary of Findings of MDG Indicators, Province of Biliran, 2005-2006
20
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

22. Table 1. (Continued)
21
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

23. 22
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

24. Part 1.
Provincial Profile
History Figure 1. Location map of Biliran
Biliran, a fourth-class province, is
nestled between the islands of Leyte
and Samar (Figure 1). It is one of the
six provinces that make up Region
VIII in Eastern Visayas. The island
of Biliran was originally known as
Isla de Panamao but according to
folklore, Biliran derived its name from
a native grass called “borobiliran,”
which was abundant on the plains
of the island during the pre-Spanish
period.
In the 18th century, a group of settlers
inhabited the plains of what is now called the
town of Biliran. This settlement developed and
grew and by 1878, it was formally declared a
Figure 2. Map province of Biliran
municipality of Leyte by the Spanish authori-
ties, the first town in the island of Biliran. This
significant event led to the naming of the whole
island as Biliran.
The island of Biliran was formerly a subprov-
ince of Leyte. It gained the status of a subprov-
ince by virtue of R.A. 2141, which was enacted
by Congress on April 8, 1959. Under this
charter, the municipalities of Almeria, Biliran,
Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan,
Maripipi, and Naval, including all the terri-
tories therein, made up the subprovince, with
Naval as the seat of government.
23
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

25. On May 11, 1992, during the synchro- Among the municipalities, Naval, the capital
nized national and local elections, a of the province, has the largest area (107.08
plebiscite was conducted to ratify the sq km), followed by Caibiran (94.58 sq km).
conversion of the subprovince into a The smallest is Maripipi, with an area of 31.71
regular province pursuant to Section 462 sq km (table 1).
of R.A. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of the Philippines. On
May 21, 1992, the members of the Plebi- Rugged mountains bisect the entire length
scite Board of Canvassers were unanimous of the island. The highest point is Mt.
in proclaiming the conversion of Biliran into Naliwatan in the center of the island, with
an independent province, to be known as an elevation of 1,340 meters above sea level
the Province of Biliran. (masl). There are nine mountain peaks rising
more than 1,000 masl. Generally, the steep
Geophysical Environment mountain slopes start from an elevation of
300 masl; below this elevation is considered
This island province is located about 123 rolling terrain where most settlements can
km northwest of Tacloban City, the regional be found.
center. It has eight municipalities (seven in the
mainland and one island municipality) and Only 3 percent of the total land area of
132 barangays, of which 19 are urban and Biliran is level to gently sloping. These low-lying
113, rural (fig. 2). Biliran is represented as a areas are generally located in coastal areas
lone district in the House of Representatives. and along river banks. Most of the areas
having gently sloping to undulating terrain
The total land area is 555.42 sq km (55,542 (3%-8% slope) can be found in Naval and
hectares), which is only 0.18 percent of the Caibiran.
Philippines’ total land area of about 300,000
sq km, and only 2.59 percent of the land Rivers make up the inland water bodies.
area of the entire Eastern Visayas. Of the total There are 29 identified rivers. Seven of these
area of 55,542 ha, 28,600 ha are considered are classified as major ones, namely, Anas,
alienable and disposable while 26,942 ha are Amambahag, Caibiran, Mapula, Santol,
forestlands. Caraycaray and Bagongbong rivers. Caray-
24
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

26. caray, the major use for which is irrigation, is predominantly of broken pieces and clasts of
the largest with a watershed area of 85 sq km. older, weathered, and eroded rocks. In the
eastern plains of Biliran Island, particularly in
Under R.A. 8550, the delineated municipal the municipalities of Culaba and Kawayan,
seawaters of Biliran extend 15 km from the rocks are underlain with alluvial formation. The
shoreline. These seawaters are a rich fishing geomorphology is attributed to the underlying
ground. The average depth 10 km from the natural activities of rivers and streams. Found
coastline is about 50 fathoms or 300 meters in the western coast is a large alluvial plain
(m). including fans distributed in the municipalities
of Almeria, Naval, and Biliran. These broad
The rugged mountains that traverse the alluvial plains consist of river terraces and river
entire island are primarily conserved to serve fans which represent the deposition of the river
as watersheds rather than as sources of timber. system. Higatangan Island lies in the northern
Numerous spring sources thrive in these extension of the western mountain system of
watersheds and are the main sources of drink- Leyte. The clastic rocks, which are composed
ing water brought down to settlements in the primarily of fragments or clasts of preexisting
lowlands. Waterfalls with heights ranging from rocks occur along the western slopes of Biliran
30 to 50 meters also abound in the mountains. and Higatangan Islands.
The 35 km long volcanic island of Biliran According to the Mines and Geosciences
contains many prominent andesitic lava Bureau (MGB), there are three major minerals
domes. The fumarole fields that are scattered present in Biliran—gypsum, sulfur, and white
throughout the island indicate the presence of clay. Elemental sulfur deposits in the munici-
geothermal energy. Initial exploration showed pality of Caibiran have an estimated volume
that the mountains of Naval and Caibiran are of 320 metric tons (MT). The ore reserve has
potential sources of geothermal power. Hot a 30 percent grade in the altered zone of
springs are present in these areas, and these montmorillonite and quartz. The volume of
are also good prospects for ecotourism. gypsum deposits is still to be determined.
White clay deposits in Culaba have yet to be
Major rivers can also be alternative sources evaluated as to grade/quality and volume.
of power. Studies conducted by a consulting
firm revealed that a total of 6,900 kilowatts Biliran has Type IV climate based on the
(kW) can be generated from these rivers if Modified Coronas Classification of Climate,
these are tapped as sources for mini hydro with rainfall more or less evenly distributed
power plants. throughout the year. The northeast monsoon
prevails from November to February; the
The geologic features of the islands and southeast monsoon, from July to September.
islets that natural elements have carved over The trade winds, which generally come from
time, the pristine beaches, and the rich marine the east, prevail whenever the northeast
resources are added tourism draws. monsoon and the southeast monsoon are
inactive.
In Maripipi Island, the underlying rock forma-
tions are clastic sedimentary rocks composed Temperature in Biliran usually ranges
25
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

27. between 23oC and 30.9oC. The mean annual In terms of fertility, Biliran and Leyte have
temperature, however, is 27oC. Maximum a projected rate of 3.69 percent for the
rainfall usually occurs in December and period 2005-2010, which is close compared
January; minimum rainfall, in April. to the regional projected fertility rate of 3.89
percent. The projected life expectancy at birth
is estimated to be 67.83 years for males and
Population and Social Environment 72.41 years for females for 2005-2010.
Based on the 2007 census of population The annual population growth rate of the
conducted by the National Statistics Office province from 2000 to 2007 was 0.93 percent.
(NSO), the province had a total population of Based on this growth rate, Biliran is projected
150,031. The household population, however, to have a population of 154,261 by 2010.
was 149,733, consisting of 76,898 males and
72,835 females or a sex ratio of 105.6. The In 2005, a CBMS survey was conducted in
same census showed that Biliran had 32,148 the municipality of Cabucgayan. This munici-
households. Thus, the average household size pality was one of the pilot LGUs in Region VIII
is 4.7, or about 5 persons per household, and for the CBMS. The following year (2006), the
the population density is 270 persons per sq CBMS was conducted provincewide.
km. The age dependency ratio of the house-
hold population is 83.64. The age and sex The 2005-2006 CBMS survey revealed
structure (commonly known as the population that the proportion of households below the
pyramid) for the province is shown in figure 3. poverty threshold in the province was 65.6
while the proportion of the population below
the poverty threshold was 70.9. Also, the
proportions of the households and population
living below the food threshold were 52.9 and
53.4, respectively.
Further, it was determined that 39,730 were
employed at the time of the survey. The males
(28,877) outnumbered the females (10,853)
in terms of employment. The employment
rate then was estimated to be 75.8 percent.
Unfortunately, data are not available to
corroborate these findings considering that
current statistics on employment are disag-
gregated up to the regional level only.
In the same survey, it was found that the
proportion of infants aged 0 to less than 1
year old who died was 1.4, and the number
of women who died due to pregnancy-related
causes was six.
26
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

28. A general picture of the health situation in were three dentists (1/2), 42 nurses (33/9),
the province compared to the regional and 45 midwives (1/44), and 15 medical technolo-
national data is shown in table 4. gists (8/7). The percentage of fully immunized
clients was 85.05
percent, higher
than the region-
al average of
81.26 percent.
On the nutri-
tional status of
children aged
0-6 years old,
The following are the 10 leading causes of the number of below-normal (very low) cases
mortality for the past five years: pneumonia, has declined over three years--536 cases in
hypertensive cardiovascular disease (HCVD), 2006, 484 in 2007, and 437 in 2008.
cancer, heart disease, pulmonary tuberculosis
(PTB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease The 2009 Regional Social and Economic
(COPD), bleeding peptic ulcer, renal diseases, Trends (RSET) report indicates that the simple
diabetes mellitus (DM), and accidents. Of literacy rate of the population aged 10-64
the infectious diseases, only pneumonia and years old in Biliran in 2000 was 90.8 percent.
PTB were among the top leading causes of This was higher than the regional average of
mortality while the rest are lifestyle diseases. 89.9 percent. However, the functional literacy
rate in the same year was 79.45 percent,
The Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH) which was lower than the national rate of
is the lone hospital catering to the eight 83.79 percent.
municipalities of the province as well as the
nearby towns and barangays of Leyte. Its As of school year (SY) 2008-2009, the
authorized bed capacity is 25. The average province had 128 elementary schools (125
number of in-patients per day is 78 with a government and three private), 18 secondary
percentage occupancy rate of about 300 schools (16 under DepEd, one laboratory
percent due to overutilization of hospital high school under CHED, and one private
services. Bed-to-population ratio in 2008 Catholic school), and one state college—the
was 1:6,057. In comparison, there were 81 Naval Institute of Technology (NIT). In 2009,
government and private hospitals in Region NIT became a university and is now called the
VIII in 2008, and the bed-to-population ratio Naval State University (NSU). Another school,
was only 1:1,365. Further, Biliran has eight the Cabucgayan National School of Arts and
municipal health centers and 37 barangay Trades (CNSAT), which is administered by the
health stations. Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), provides postsecondary
As of 2008, there were only 173 professional and vocational education and training.
health care practitioners in both hospital and
field health services. Of this number, 24 were From SY 2001 to SY 2009, the teacher-student
physicians (16 hospital/8 field health). There ratio has ranged between 1:27 and 1:28 for
27
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

29. public elementary schools and between 1:35 sponds to a magnitude of 134,890. Urban
and 1:39 for public secondary schools. areas were better served (98.7%) compared
to rural areas (92.0%).
Some performance indicators in public
elementary and secondary schools in the As to the proportion of households with
province are shown in table 5. access to sanitary toilet facilities, 21,978 house-
holds (71.5%) had
access. The propor-
tion of population
with access was
71.3 percent, which
represents for
102,929 individuals.
The rural population
had less access to
sanitary toilet facili-
ties at 68.2 percent
The Department of Education (DepEd) compared to the urban population (81.8%).
division of Biliran, in its Division Education
Development Plan 2006-2010, reported that The number of occupied housing units in
there were 2,340 out-of-school children aged the province based on the 2000 census (per
6-14 and 6,411 out-of-school youth aged 2009 RSET) was 27,514. The breakdown for
15-24 in 2006. the occupied housing units by type of build-
ing is as follows: 26,592 single houses; 338
The provincial government has been very duplexes; 112 multiunit residential structures;
supportive of the education subsector. 55 commercial/industrial/agricultural struc-
In 2005 alone, it initiated the following tures; four institutional living quarters; four
activities in support of formal basic educa- other housing unit types; and 411 unreported
tion: distributed 85 sets of computers types. Considering 27,909 households and a
to selected schools; allocated books to household population of 140,174, the ratio of
18 schools under the Governor’s Books households to occupied housing units is 1.01
for the Barrios program; provided cable and the household population per occupied
connection for the Knowledge Channel to housing unit is 5.09.
six elementary and 16 secondary schools;
sponsored literary and academic contests; For its part, the provincial government
and provided a service vehicle (multicab) initiated the construction of 100 core-shelter
to the division office. housing units in Barangay Larrazabal, Naval,
in 2005 and completed them in 2006 with
In the CBMS survey, the proportion of funding assistance from the central office
households with access to safe drinking water of the Department of Social Welfare and
was 93.2 percent, which translates to 28,783 Development (DSWD) and the National
households. For the population served, the Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
proportion was 93.5 percent, which corre- The construction of an additional 50 units of
28
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

30. core shelters was started in 2009 and will be tion in the same year was 812 MT. Coconut
completed by June 2010. This project is being is the second major crop produced in the
implemented with funding assistance from province. A total of 20,583 ha were planted
the DSWD central office. In addition, 200 to coconut in 2007, yielding a total production
housing units are expected to be built under volume of 50,668 MT. Banana production in
the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) on 2007 was 15,314 MT from an area of 1,143 ha.
a site adjacent to where the core shelters were
built. The CMP was started by the provincial Livestock and poultry production remained
government in 2008. at backyard-production levels. As of 2007,
there were more hogs (44,030 heads) and
Biliran is generally a peaceful province and goats (21,301 heads) raised than any other
is known to be free of insurgents and rebel kind of livestock, while chicken (245,187
groups. heads) was the most commonly raised poultry
in the province. There were 12,107 carabaos
Based on the 2009 RSET for Eastern Visayas, in 2007, a slight decline from the population
the crime incidence and crime-solution rate of 12,800 in 2006. There was also a decrease
in Biliran in 2008 were 138 and 94.9 percent, of 638 heads in the cattle population between
respectively. 2005 and 2007. On the other hand, the goat
population increased by 5,014 heads from
Local Economy 2005 to 2007. Data for the hog population
showed an abrupt increase from 2005 to 2006,
The predominant economic activities in but the number of hogs quickly declined the
Biliran are agriculture and fishery. Most of the next year.
people are engaged in farming and fishing,
which contribute 35.6 percent to the total family Veterinary quarantine services are being
income of the province. Although there are no undertaken at the Naval Port. An animal
large agri-industries in the province, a lot of quarantine officer inspects vessels and issues
the people are into agri-related livelihood veterinary clearances to animals shipped in
and trade activities. Local small and medium and out of the province.
enterprises (SMEs) are mostly agri-based.
The two slaughterhouses are located in
Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry Naval and Almeria.
Out of the total land area of 55,542 ha, Biliran is surrounded by rich fishing grounds,
approximately 29,240 ha (52.6%) are agricul- namely, the Biliran Strait, Samar Sea, Carig-
tural lands. ara Bay, Lamanok Sea, and Sambawan. In
addition, the marine waters surrounding the
Major agricultural products in the province islands of Capinahan, Dalutan, and Higatan-
include palay, coconut, corn, cassava, gan serve as major fishing stations for the
banana, sweet potato, fruits, and vegetables. province’s fisherfolk.
In 2008, Biliran ranked second among the
provinces in the region in terms of average In 2007, the province registered a total
yield per hectare (4.6 MT/ha). Corn produc- production volume of 7,600 MT from commer-
29
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

31. cial and municipal fishing, including aquacul- nothing from mining and quarrying. From 2001
ture production. to 2005, there were 181 registered estab-
lishments that could be classified as being
As of December 2009, there were 10 engaged in manufacturing activities. There
operational fish sanctuaries in the province. are other manufacturing activities that are not
Two shell sanctuaries will also be established. registered due perhaps to their small-scale
Seaweeds are also being cultivated. operation.
Although a large portion of the provincial Only four commercial banks operate in
land area is taken up by forests, there is no Naval: the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP),
major forest-based economic activity in Biliran. Philippine National Bank (PNB), Metrobank,
Forest products like abaca, nito, rattan, and and Green Bank. In addition, there is also a
timber are abundant and are used as raw rural bank and a number of lending offices
materials for handicraft, cottage, or small that are based mostly in Naval as well as
industries. Other forestry products are lumber, credit cooperatives in every municipality.
charcoal, and firewood.
Infrastructure/Utilities/Facilities
Service Sector
Biliran has access to trimedia facilities. It has
In 2007, Biliran registered a total of 499 a radio station based in Naval, Radyo Natin,
establishments engaged in wholesale and which operates on the FM band. Owing to its
retail trades. geographic location, strategic areas in Biliran
can receive radio and television broadcasts
Transportation within the province, especially from stations based in other provinces like
within the capital town of Naval, is dominated Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Iloilo, and even the
by motorcycles and tricycles. Of the total Bicol region. National dailies and tabloids
6,833 motor vehicles registered in 2007, 4,882 are distributed in the province via Tacloban
are motorcycles and tricycles, 1,313 are utility City. Daily tabloids and weeklies of regional
vehicles, 45 are buses, 162 are cars, 424 are circulation are also distributed in Naval. There
trucks, and seven are trailers. are two local cable TV operators, both of which
are based in the provincial capital.
The tourism subsector is believed to have
a high potential for boosting local economic Further, each of the eight municipalities
growth considering that Biliran is endowed has one or two cell sites. A local telephone
with plenty of beautiful scenery consisting of exchange, Globelines, provides landline
white beaches, water springs, waterfalls, rice Internet service as well as long-distance calls.
terraces, caves, and dive sites that can be It had 1,332 subscribers as of the latest count
developed into destination options for tourists. in 2009. Public calling offices of the Philippine
Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT),
The industry sector is the smallest contributor Smart, and Bayantel also provide basic
to the provincial economy because of the very communication services. Each municipality
low share coming in from the manufacturing also has a postal office. Additionally, two
and construction subsectors and virtually entities provide courier services.
30
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

32. The existing road network in the province Nautical Highway (Eastern Seaboard) Project
provides sufficiently easy access from one that links the country’s islands and aims to spur
municipality to another and facilitates local development in the countryside.
and interprovincial circulation.
Existing rural roads consist of 46.547 km of
The circumferential road, which is 110.712 municipal roads and 227.254 km of barangay
km long, links Naval to the other municipali- roads. Municipal roads are 85.75 percent
ties. The 19.730 km Naval–Caibiran cross- concreted.
country road links the two municipalities
located on opposite sides of the island. It Power supply comes from the Leyte Geother-
serves as the shortest route between Naval mal Power Plant in Tongonan, Kananga,
and the municipalities of Caibiran and Leyte. It is distributed by the Biliran Electric
Culaba. The Maripipi circumferential road Cooperative (BILECO), which maintains a
is part of the provincial road; it links the 15 5 MVA substation. BILECO serves the seven
barangays in the island. municipalities in the main island while a
local multipurpose cooperative supplies and
The 250 m Biliran Bridge serves as the vital distributes electricity in the island municipal-
link between the province and mainland Leyte. ity of Maripipi under the National Power
Corporation-Small Power Utilities Group
Biliran has a 1 km air strip that can be used (NPC-SPUG). All barangays in the province
by small aircraft. are already energized.
All municipalities have seaports. However, The Naval Water District supplies water in
some serve only as small-scale fish landing the capital town. Other municipalities have
ports while others are nonoperational. Only piped water systems provided by their respec-
the Naval Port is considered the major port tive LGUs.
in the province. It serves as the gateway or
the provincial port of entry for tourism, trade, As for irrigation, the National Irrigation
and commerce. Administration (NIA) for Region VIII reported
that in 2008, it assisted 22 communal irrigation
The municipalities of Naval and Maripipi systems (CIS) in the province with a total area
have roll-on/roll-off seaports that were of 3,365 ha and served 16 irrigators’ associa-
constructed as part of the Strong Republic tions with a total of 1,138 farmer-members.
31
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

33. In addition, other government agencies The provincial government of Biliran consists
(OGAs) had assisted seven CIS with a total of 17 regular departments/offices, (including
service area of 563 ha while the private sector the Office of the Governor and the Office
contributed by serving four CIS with a total of the Vice Governor/Sangguniang Panlala-
service area of 280 ha. wigan) and a provincial hospital. In December
2009, there were 873 provincial government
Local Institutional Capability officials and employees. Of this number, 13
were elective officials, 354 were permanent
Biliran is only a fourth-class province based employees, and 506 were casual or contrac-
on the income classification set by the Depart- tual/job order employees.
ment of Finance (DoF). As such, it has to use
its resources wisely and prudently so that the To achieve local development goals, the
outcomes of the projects and services that provincial officials and employees work in
it has implemented would redound to the cooperation with the national government
greater good of the constituents. agencies based in the province or their
regional offices, the component municipal
For the calendar year 2008, P224,846,219.30 governments, the NGOs and people’s
was appropriated for the annual budget of organizations, and the private sector. In
the province. This amount was higher by addition to the local special bodies and
9.17 percent than the 2007 annual budget government-assisted groups that have been
of PhP205,963,671.64, and 18.76 percent organized, NGOs like the Rural Development
higher than the PhP189,326.145.31 budget Institute (RDI-Leyte); Biliran Parents Associa-
for 2006. The province also allocated tion for Development, Inc.; Convergence
PhP40,559,948.20 for its 20 percent Devel- of Marginal Folks/Pagtinabangay Founda-
opment Fund in 2008, which is used for tion, Inc.; Women’s Organization for Rural
projects and activities identified in the Development-Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina
Annual Investment Program (AIP), and (WORD-KALIPI) Provincial Federation; and
passed nine supplemental budgets amount- the Biliran Provincial Union of Cooperatives,
ing to P87,936,423.86. The supplemental among others, extend development assistance
budgets were intended mostly for social to local communities and help in the attain-
services and infrastructure development. ment of societal goals.
32
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

34. PART 2:
Status Report on
the Millennium
Development Goals
Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme
Poverty and Hunger
Target 1A: Halve between 1990 and
2015, the proportion of people whose The total population was 144,238, of which
income is less than one dollar a day. males constituted 50.9 percent (73,397) and
females, 49.1 percent (70,841). The annual
A. STATUS AND TRENDS per capita threshold was placed at P12,966
for urban and P12,137 for rural. Of the total
The 2006 CBMS survey revealed that the number of households, 19,941 (65.0%) were
province had 30,763 households with an living below the poverty line. There were
average size of 5 (4.7) persons per household. 101,667 Biliranons who were poor. Also at the
33
33
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

35. time of the survey, the proportion of population shortage, representing 12.1 percent of the
living below the poverty line was 70.4 percent. total number of households. The magnitude
The province had a poverty gap ratio of 0.4. of population that experienced food shortage
was 19,250. There were more males (9,955)
The food threshold of the province was than females (9,295) who experienced food
placed at P8,948 for urban and P8,786 for shortage.
rural. There were 16,217 households living
below the food threshold. Rural areas On the other hand, there were a total of
accounted for 82.0 percent while urban areas 1,131 children under five years old (564 boys
accounted for 18.0 percent of the total number and 567 girls) who were underweight. The
of households. The proportion of households prevalence of underweight children under five
living within the food threshold was 52.9 years old was almost equal for boys and girls
percent. The magnitude of population living at 6.6 and 6.9, respectively.
within the food threshold was 84,848 (53.4%).
Proportion of Households/Population
The magnitude of the population who were Below Poverty Threshold
employed was 39,730. There were more
employed males (28,877), which represented Poverty threshold, as defined by NSCB, is
a proportion of 82.4 percent. The employed the minimum income/expenditure required for
females numbered 10,853, representing a a family/individual to meet the basic food and
proportion of 62.4 percent. The employment nonfood requirements.
rate of the province in 2006 was 75.8 percent.
Among the eight municipalities of Biliran,
The survey further revealed that there were the municipality of Kawayan had the highest
3,706 households that experienced food proportion of households (82.0%) and
34
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data

36. population (85.6%) living below the poverty Figure 4
threshold. In numbers, it accounted for 3,219
households and 15,505 individuals. This was
followed by the municipality of Culaba with
1,798 households (76.3%) and a population
of 9,210. The municipality of Naval had the
lowest proportion of households and popula-
tion with 55.4 percent and 62.3 percent,
respectively.
Four municipalities registered a propor-
tion of households and population higher
than the provincial average of 65.0 percent
(households) and 70.4 percent (population).
These were Kawayan, Culaba, Maripipi, and
Caibiran.
In terms of the number of households below
the poverty threshold, Naval contributed the
highest number with 4,945 households, repre-
senting 24.8 percent of the total number of
households in the province. This was followed
by Kawayan with 3,219 households (16.1%)
and Caibiran with 2,713 households (13.6%). individual in the rural area should earn an
average of P1,085 monthly or at least P36.16
The poverty threshold for the province was a day and for an individual in an urban area,
placed at P12,966 per annum for urban and an average of P1,011.42 monthly or P33.71 a
P12,137 for rural. Relative to this amount, an day to satisfy food and nonfood requirements.
35
Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data
Province of Biliran

37. Proportion of Population/Household
within the Food Threshold
The NSCB defines food threshold as the food threshold at 79.0 percent as shown
minimum income/expenditure required for a in the table below. This is followed by the
family/individual to meet the basic food needs municipality of Culaba (70.7%) and then by
that satisfies the nutritional requirements for Maripipi (69.7%). The municipalities of Almeria
economically necessary and socially desirable and Naval posted a proportion of less than
physical activities. 50 percent at 48.5 percent and 48.6 percent,
respectively.
Kawayan topped the list of municipalities
whose populations were living within the Poverty Gap Ratio
Figure 5 The poverty gap ratio indicates the average
distance of the poor population from the
poverty line. The municipalities of Culaba and
Kawayan got the highest ratio of 0.5 followed
by the municipalities of Biliran, Caibiran,
and Maripipi with 0.4. The municipalities of
Almeria and Naval both got a ratio of 0.3. Two
municipalities had a poverty gap ratio higher
than the provincial average of 0.4. The figure
explains that the higher the poverty gap ratio,
the farther is the distance of the poor from the
poverty threshold, which means the greater is
the severity of poverty.
36
Province of Biliran Status Report on the Millennium Development Goals Using CBMS Data