FOREWORD With great pleasure, I proudly present to the people of the province of Biliran and to our partners in the development of the province our accomplishments during the year 2003 as contained in this Annual Report. This document describes more clearly the results of operation of the Provincial Government last year than what I presented in my State of the Province Address, which I delivered last January 29, 2004 before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The publication of this report will help promote transparency in local governance, and engages us local officials to be accountable to our constituents as we pursue multi-faceted development goals - goals that will ultimately uplift the living conditions of the ordinary Biliranon. The Annual Report presents fairly how we fared in the implementation of our initiatives (priority programs, projects, and activities) that directly or indirectly address concerns affecting our constituents: poverty alleviation, provision of basic services, livelihood, environmental protection and preservation, and social, economic and infrastructure development. The strategic directions and policies that we adopted in pursuit of our goals were in accord with our framework for sustainable development. Let me take this opportunity to thank the provincial officials and employees as well as the other stakeholders, both from government and the private sector, for their unfailing and invaluable support and assistance in helping us achieve the 2003 accomplishments. May I also appeal for more unity and better collaboration so that together we can effectively confront the greater challenges ahead as we strive for the realization of our aspirations. (Sgd.) ROGELIO J. ESPINA, MD, FPOA Governor