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Biliran
Province
Island Group Visayas
Region Eastern Visayas
Capital Naval
Area 536.01 km
Cities 0
Municipalities 8
Population
- Total 150,031
- Density/km 279.90
Income class 4
Location in the Philippines:


Biliran
Biliran is the fourth smallest province in the Philippines and is located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its
capital is Naval and for a time, Biliran was part of Leyte Province until it became independent in 1992.
The province is composed of two major islands: Biliran Island and Maripipi Island. Other islands include
Higatangan Island and the uninhabited island of Dalutan. It has 8 municipalities and 132 barangays.

Biliran lies a few kilometers north of Leyte Island across Biliran Strait. To the southeast is Carigara Bay,
to the northeast is Samar Sea, to the west is the Visayan Sea and Masbate lies about 30 km to the
northwest. The main island features mountainous interiors with very narrow coastal areas. Mountain
ranges occupy the major portion of the island municipality of Maripipi while the municipalities of Naval
and Caibiran have wide plains extending about 7 km from the coast which is suitable for agriculture.
Mount Suiro is the highest point in the island with an elevation of 1300 meters.

Biliran is the fifth least populated province in the country and the smallest in the region. The inhabitants
of the province primarily speak Cebuano and Waray. Cebuano is spoken by 55.79% of the population
and is found mainly in the western area of the island; while Waray, spoken by 40.80%, can be found on
the eastern portion. Biliran has a combination of warm and cool climatic zones, thus the climate
prevailing is ideal for cultivation of a wide range of agricultural crops. There is no distinct dry season but
the heavy wet season generally occurs in December.

During the early Spanish era, Biliran Island was known as Isla de Panamao. The term refers to an ethnic
fishing net. The present name, adopted sometime between 17th and early 18th century, was derived
from a native grass called borobiliran which grew abundantly in the islands plains. The first town named
Biliran, was founded in 1712. During this time, the island was a part of Cebu Province. On April 8, 1959,
Republic Act No. 2141 was signed into law making Biliran a sub-province of Leyte. The island was only
made an independent province on May 11, 1992 by virtue of Republic Act No. 7160, making it one of the
newest provinces in the country.

The economy of Biliran is largely into fishing. Most of its town, especially Naval and Biliran, have
excellent seaports. There are 95 hectares of brackish water fishponds which produce prawns, shrimps
and milkfish. Another 30 hectares of seawater are suitable for seaweed farming and 10 more hectares
for fishcage culture. The warm lowlands of Biliran are conducive to palay production and other tropical
crops. The inhabitants also engage in hunting, lumber, and manufacturing. The principal raw materials
produced are copra and coconut oil. Processed goods include white clay ceramics, dried fish, raw
gulaman and citronella oil.

The most populous cities and municipalities in Biliran are:

City/Municipality City class Area
in km Income
class Urbanisation Population
Total Density/km
Naval Municipality 108.24 2 partly urban 44,288 409.16
Caibiran Municipality 83.55 0 partly urban 20,616 246.75
Kawayan Municipality 61.02 0 partly urban 19,053 312.24
Cabucgayan Municipality 54.19 0 partly urban 18,799 346.91
Biliran Municipality 70.30 5 partly urban 14,947 212.62
Almeria Municipality 57.46 5 partly urban 14,420 250.96
Culaba Municipality 73.42 5 partly urban 10,962 149.31
Maripipi Municipality 27.83 5 partly urban 6,946 249.59