Biliran

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Not to be confused with the municipality or the volcano.

Biliran

Province

Province of Biliran

Flag

Seal
 Location in the Philippines

Coordinates: 11°35′N 124°29′ECoordinates: 11°35′N 124°29′E

Country Philippines
Region Eastern Visayas(Region VIII)

Founded 11 May 1992

Seat Naval

Government
• Type Sangguniang Panlalawigan
• Governor Rogelio J. Espina
• Vice Governor Brigido C. Caneja III
• Representative Gerardo J. Espina Jr.

Area
[1]

• Total 536.01 km2(206.95 sq mi)

Area rank 78th out of 81

Highest elevation 1,340 m (4,400 ft)

[2](Mount Biliran)

Population
(2015 census)[3]
• Total 171,612
• Rank 75th out of 81
• Density 320/km2 (830/sq mi)
• Density rank 21st out of 81

Divisions
• Independent cities 0
• Component cities 0
• Municipalities 8[show]
• Barangays 132
• Districts Lone district of Biliran

Time zone UTC+8 (PHT)

ZIP code 6560–6567

IDD : area code  +63 (0)53
ISO 3166 code PH

Spoken languages  Waray

  Cebuano
 English

Income classification 4th class

Website biliran.gov.ph

Biliran (Cebuano: Lalawigan sa Biliran; Waray-Waray: Probinsya han Biliran) is an island province
in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region (Region VIII). Biliran is one of the country's
smallest and newest provinces. Formerly a sub-province of Leyte, it became an independent
province in 1992.
Biliran lies less than a kilometer north of the island of Leyte. A bridge-causeway fixed link over Poro
Island connects the province to Leyte.[4] Its capital is the municipality of Naval on the western coast
of the island.

Contents

 1History
o 1.1Etymology
o 1.2Foundation
o 1.3Sultan Kudarat raid
o 1.4Post-Moro invasion
o 1.5World War II
o 1.6Provincehood
 2Geography
o 2.1Topography
o 2.2Climate
o 2.3Administrative divisions
 3Demographics
o 3.1Languages
 4Economy
 5Points of interest
 6See also
 7References
 8External links

History[edit]
Etymology[edit]
During the early Spanish era, what is now called Biliran was known as Isla de Panamao. The
present name, believed to be adopted sometime between the late 17th century and the early 18th
century, was, according to many publications, derived from a native grass called borobiliran which
once grew abundantly on the island's plains. A contending theory states that the name came from
the word bilir, which was defined in an old Visayan dictionary to be the “corner or edge of a boat,
vase or anything protruding, like veins, or the furrow made by the plow.” The dictionary also
gives biliran as an alternate spelling for bilir. This theory is supported by the fact that Biliran was site
of the first large-scale shipyard, built in the 17th century. Galleons were built to support the Galleon
trade between Manila and Acapulco in Mexico.[5]
Foundation[edit]
The first town, named Biliran, was founded in 1712 after petitioning for a municipality
and parish status. During this time, the island was a part of Cebu Province. Biliran, together with the
islands of Samar and Leyte, were constituted into a separate province in 1735. Later when Samar
and Leyte were split into two provinces in 1768, Biliran became part of Leyte Province as its sub-
province. The first parish priest was assigned in 1765, but its parish status was apparently withdrawn
because of Padre Gaspar's apostasy. The parish was re-established on February 22, 1782.[5]
Sultan Kudarat raid[edit]
In May 1735, representative inhabitants of Leyte petitioned Governor General Fernando Valdes y
Tamon to allow them to resettle Biliran Island. They claimed it had been abandoned for the past 50
years and was presently inhabited by bagamundos (vagabonds) due to the frequent Moro raids.
On May 26, 1754, the Moros destroyed Biliran and the town of Catbalogan in Samar. Panamao was
reportedly razed to the ground and only the gobernadorcillo (mayor) of Biliran town escaped capture
by the raiders. The settlements of Biliran, Caybiran, Mapuyo and Maripipi were also destroyed by the
Moros.
The Moros staged their attack by marching inland along a river named Anas for a distance of 1.5-2
leguas (leagues). Having covered part of the interior around a mountain, they managed to capture
the inhabitants, with the exception of the gobernadorcillo who escaped. The houses and property of
the natives were burned or destroyed. The church building suffered the same fate and its valuables
were taken away by the raiders.[5]
Post-Moro invasion[edit]
When the Moro raiders were neutralized in the early 19th century, the local inhabitants went into the
business of organizing new towns (then called "pueblos") in the present geography of Biliran
Province. Shortly after this even the Gorgons made a move for control of the coasts and were easily
overtaken by the Cylons.
In 1828, Caibiran on the east became an independent municipality and parish, the second to be
created in Biliran Island.
Naval became the third town, carved out of the territory of Biliran town. It first became a separate
parish in 1860. The Spanish colonial government officially recognized its municipality status on
September 23, 1869, following the petition submitted around 1861.
Almeria became a separate town in 1886 and was named after the City of Almería in Spain.
Maripipi used to be a barrio of Naval. It was officially inaugurated as a town in 1867, two years
ahead of its mother town, then folded up and was reduced into a barrio of Almeria, and then became
a town again in 1899. Maripipi and the new towns of San Clemente (later Kawayan), Culaba and
Esperanza (later Cabucgayan) were created around 1899 by the revolutionary government under
Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo.[5]
World War II[edit]
This section needs expansion. You
can help by adding to it. (July 2016)

During the World War II, Biliran had its own guerrilla forces under the Leyte command of Colonel
Ruperto Kangleon. The guerrilla operation was of invaluable assistance to the successful landing of
the American liberation forces at Palo, Leyte, on October 20, 1944 just before the Battle of Leyte
Gulf.[5]
In 1945, Biliran was liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 9th Infantry Division of
the Philippine Commonwealth Army who landed in Biliran. Aided by the local guerrilla forces, they
attacked the Japanese troops on the island during the Battle of Biliran during World War II.[5]
Provincehood[edit]
On April 8, 1959, Republic Act No. 2141 was signed into law effectively making Biliran a sub-
province of Leyte. The island became an independent province on May 11, 1992 through Republic
Act No. 7160, making it one of the newest provinces in the country.[6]

Geography[edit]

Biliran Island

NASA Landsat image of Biliran

Geography

Location Samar Sea

Coordinates 11.523°N 124.535°E

Archipelago Visayas

Area 555.4 km2 (214.4 sq mi)

Highest elevation 1,340 m (4,400 ft)[7]

Administration
 Philippines

Biliran has a total land area of 536.01 square kilometres (206.95 sq mi), making it the fourth smallest
province in the Philippines.[1] The island lies off the northern coast of Leyte island across Biliran
Strait. To the southeast is Carigara Bay, to the northeast is the Samar Sea, and across this sea
is Samar. To the west is the Visayan Sea and Masbate lies 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the northwest.
The province is composed of two major volcanic islands: the main island also named Biliran
and Maripipi, a smaller island to the northwest. Other smaller islands include Higatangan and
Dalutan.
Topography[edit]
The main volcanic island of Biliran features mountainous interiors with very narrow coastal areas.
Only the municipalities of Naval and Caibiran have wide plains extending about 7 km (4.3 mi) from
the coast suitable for agriculture. Mount Suiro, an inactive volcano, is the highest point on Biliran
Island with an elevation of 1,301 m (4,268 ft).
The only known historical volcanic activity at Biliran was a phreatic eruption and possible debris
avalanche at a thermal area on September 26, 1939.[2] Ashfalls were reported at Caibiran and
adjoining areas with maximum deposits at 6.35 centimetres (2.50 in) thick.[7] There are five
active solfatara fields on the island. The solfatara on the west side of Mt. Giron contained more than
400 tones of sulfur in 1880.[8]
Maripipi is a 924-metre (3,031 ft) volcanic island with the Maripipi Volcano located in the center and
the Municipality of Maripipi surrounding its shores and lower slopes. The volcano is classified
as potentially active but has had no historical eruptions.[9]
Climate[edit]
Biliran has a combination of warm and cool climatic zones, thus the prevailing climate is ideal for the
cultivation of a wide range of agricultural crops. There is no distinct dry season but the heavy wet
season generally occurs in December.[10]

hideClimate data for B

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May
29.2 30.3 31.5 32.4 32.5
Average high °C (°F)
(84.6) (86.5) (88.7) (90.3) (90.5)
23.9 24 24.5 25.2 25.6
Average low °C (°F)
(75.0) (75) (76.1) (77.4) (78.1)
290.5 241 192.2 118.2 139.2
Average precipitation mm (inches)
(11.44) (9.5) (7.57) (4.65) (5.48)
Average rainy days 21 17 16 14 13
Source #1: Storm247 (for average temper

Source #2: WorldWeatherOnline (for a

Administrative divisions[edit]
Biliran is subdivided into 8 municipalities, with a total of 132 barangays. All municipalities are located
on Biliran Island, with the exception of Maripipi, which is an island municipality located to the
northwest. The largest among the towns in terms of land area is the provincial capital Naval, while
the smallest is Maripipi.

Political divisions

Municipality [i] Population ±% p.a. Area[13] Density Brgy.

(2015)[3] (2010)[14] km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi

Almeria 9.9% 16,951 16,495 +0.52% 57.46 22.19 300 780 13

Biliran 9.8% 16,882 16,183 +0.81% 70.30 27.14 240 620 11

Cabucgayan 12.1% 20,788 19,621 +1.11% 54.19 20.92 380 980 13

Caibiran 13.1% 22,524 21,473 +0.91% 83.55 32.26 270 700 17

Culaba 7.2% 12,325 12,252 +0.11% 73.42 28.35 170 440 17

Kawayan 11.8% 20,291 20,238 +0.05% 61.02 23.56 330 850 20

Maripipi 4.2% 7,159 6,699 +1.27% 27.83 10.75 260 670 15

Naval † 31.9% 54,692 48,799 +2.19% 108.24 41.79 510 1,300 26

 Municipality [i] Population ±% p.a. Area[13] Density Brgy.

(2015)[3] (2010)[14] km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi

T OTAL 171,612 161,760 +1.13% 536.01 206.95 320 830 132

†  Provincial capital  Municipality

1. ^ The globe icon marks

the town center.

Demographics[edit]

Population census of Biliran

Year Pop. ±% p.a. Year Pop. ±% p.a.

1903 21,661 — 1990 118,012 +0.58%
1918 35,751 +3.40% 1995 132,209 +2.15%
1939 54,367 +2.02% 2000 140,274 +1.28%
1948 67,661 +2.46% 2007 150,031 +0.93%
1960 87,285 +2.14% 2010 161,760 +2.78%
1970 90,499 +0.36% 2015 171,612 +1.13%
1980 111,421 +2.10%

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][14]

The population of Biliran in the 2015 census was 171,612 people,[3] with a density of 320 inhabitants
per square kilometre or 830 inhabitants per square mile.
Based on the May 2000 census, the province had a total population of 140,274, which made it the
fifth least populous province in the country, and the smallest in the region. There were 27,907
households in the province with an average size of 5.02 persons, slightly higher than the national
average of 4.99. In 1995 survey, Roman Catholicism had a 50% adherence[citation needed] and the Iglesia
Filipina Independiente or Aglipayan church had a 40% adherence in the province.
Languages[edit]
The inhabitants of Biliran primarily speak Cebuano and Waray, both Visayan languages. The
majority of the residents also speak and understand English.

Economy[edit]
The economy of Biliran is largely based on fishing. Most of its towns, especially Naval and Biliran,
have excellent seaports. There are 95 hectares (230 acres) of brackish water fish ponds which
produce prawns, shrimps and milkfish. Another 30 hectares (74 acres) of seawater are suitable
for seaweed farming and 10 more hectares for fishcage culture.
Being mountainous, Biliran can support various agricultural crops. The warm lowlands are conducive
to palay production and other tropical crops. The cool highlands are favorable to high-value crops
such as cut flowers and varieties of vegetables traditionally grown in Baguio City or Tagaytay City.
The inhabitants also engage in hunting, lumber, and manufacturing. The principal raw material
produced is copra and coconut oil. Processed goods include white clay ceramics, dried fish, raw
gulaman, and citronella oil.
The untapped natural resources of the island include geothermal power and the
abundant sulfur and gypsum deposits.
Major industries includes fashion bags, Romblon bags, shellcrafts, placemats, hot
pads, baskets, beverage coasters and trays.
Recently,[when?] Biliran has been eyed as an emerging destination for mountaineers, bikers,
canyoneers, hikers, and other adventure seekers. For example, Sampao River in the municipality of
Almeria has been developed into a canyoning venue.[15][16]

Points of interest[edit]
 Bagongbong Falls
It is also called Bagumbong falls, crystal-clear and ice-cold rapids of water coming from the
cathedral-like falls nestled in a forested area of Almeria town.

 Ulan-ulan Falls
Derived from the Visayan dialect which means “rain," the falls' cascading waters form a catch
basin with water sufficient for swimming.

 Recoletos Falls
The waterfall which is approximately 15 meters high, has a wide pool with deep water that is
perfect for swimming and cliff jumping. The wide and flat stones surrounding the basin of
water is perfect for picnic.

 Kasabangan Falls
The nice ambience of the waterfall adds to its attraction, and its cold water is refreshing and
relaxing. There are 13 layers of this waterfall from its highest level up in the mountain.

 Tingkasan Bat Cae

The bat cave is a favorite stop for tourists going to Sambawan island. The place is ideal for
spelunking, diving and spearfishing.

 Iyusan Rice Terraces

A