Located in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Biliran is an island province and one of the smallest and shortest-established provinces in the Philippines. Once part of the province of Leyte, it became an independent province in 1992.

Geographical Location

Biliran Province is bounded on the east by the Samar Sea, on the south by the Gulf of Carigara, on the west by the Biliran Strait, and on the north by the Visayan Sea. It has a land area of 536.01 square kilometers, accounting for only 0.18% of the total land area of the Philippines and 2.59% of the Eastern Visayas.

The capital city of Naval is the largest (107.08 square kilometers), followed by Caibiran (94.58 square kilometers). The smallest is Maripipi, with an area of 31.71 square kilometers.

Climate

The island of Biliran is situated at the crossroads of warm and cool climates, making it ideal for a wide range of crops. There is no distinct dry season, with the heavy rainy season usually occurring in December.

Language

Waray is the most common dialect spoken by the locals. It is followed by Bisaya or Binisaya and Cebuano.

Waray is spoken in towns across or conveniently located in Leyte and Samar, while Cebuano is spoken in towns close to Cebu, Navarre and Almeria, and most people speak and understand both dialects.

Population

The 2020 census population is 179,312 with a population density of 335 persons per square kilometer. The capital city of Naval had a 2020 census population of 58,187.

Administrative divisions of the province

The Department of Biliran consists of eight small municipalities, namely: Almeria, Biliran, Cabugayan, Kebiran, Curaba, Cavayan, Maripipi and the capital city of Naval. There are 132 barangays.

Economy

The economy of the province of Biliran is based on agriculture and fishing. The main crops are rice, coconut, sweet potato, cassava, mango, banana, pineapple honey and guava. Fishermen also engage in seaweed farming and net-pen farming.