ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

The Provincial Government of Biliran consists of sixteen (16) regular departments/offices, including the Office of the Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and the total number of plantilla positions for 2003 was 356. Of this number, 318 positions were filled. Under the Office of the Governor are three other offices which provide support services, namely the Office for Tourism Operations, the Community Affairs Office and the Civil Security Unit.

The organizational set up is shown in Figure 3 while the personnel complement is presented in Table 5. Described below are the functions of the different offices.

The Office of the Governor is responsible for the formulation of guidelines, provincial policies, development plans and their implementation upon approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. It presents the programs of the province for the consideration of the SP at the opening of the regular session for the year, initiates and proposes legislative measures, and provides data and information needed in the performance of legislative functions. This office represents the province in official transactions and sports development activities, conducts visits and inspections to component municipalities to ensure that the governance of the province has improved the quality of life of its inhabitants, coordinates with national officials assigned in the province, and initiates administrative and judicial action against anyone of them who may have committed an offense in the performance of their duties while stationed in the agency. The GO spearheads the formulation of the peace and order plan in coordination with the municipal mayors and, upon approval, implements it in accordance with R.A. 6975. It is mandated to call upon national law enforcement agencies to apprehend violators of law when public interest so requires, to ensure the delivery of basic services and facilities such as the construction and repair of infrastructure projects funded by the national government, and to coordinate with the national offices in the implementation of programs and services for LGUs.

The Office of the Provincial Administrator assists in the coordination of the work of all officials of the agency; acts as disciplining authority; prepares appoinment papers of all regular and casual employees; makes and reviews monthly payrolls of personnel, applications for leave, travel, compensation, retirement, and other employee benefits/privileges; and conducts human resource training, oftentimes in coordination with other agencies. It also develops plans and strategies for the consideration fo the SP and the Governor as far as the implementation of the programs and projects of the province is concerned. In addition, it serves as the link between the province and the national and local offices for improving their performance, and is a frontliner in confronting issues and problems where the interest of the province is at stake.

The Provincial Planning and Development Office takes the lead in the formulation of integrated economic, social, physical, and other development plans and policies for the consideration of the Provincial Development Council (PDC). It conducts studies, researches and training programs necessary to evolve plans and programs for implementation and promotes people participation in its planning activities. Moreover, it integrates and coordinates sectoral plans and studies undertaken by the different functional groups or agencies, and monitors and evaluates the implementation of development programs/projects and activities in the province in accordance with the approved development plan. The PPDO acts as the secretariat of the PDC.

The Provincial Engineer's Office is responsible for the administration, coordination, supervision and control of the planning, designing, construction, maintenance, and improvement and repair of roads, bridges, public buildings, waterworks and other engineering and pubic works projects of the provincial government. It formulates policies and objectives, plans and programs, techniques and procedures/practices in infrastructure development, and provides engineering services such as investigation and surveys, designs, and project management. It also extends technical assistance and advice to the component municipalities as well as the barangays in planning, construction, improvement and repair of public infrastructure. Further, the PEO sees to it that the motorpool is properly and efficiently operated in order that all equipment and vehicles, including those of the devolved departments, are maintained in good running condition at all times. It also oversees quality control of all infrastructure projects under the provincial government.

The provision of health services to the people in the province is carried out by the Provincial Health Office which is based in the Biliran Provincial Hospital. The organizational setup and services accountability have been divided into two: hospital services and field health services. The PHO has the responsibility of promoting, protecting, preserving and rehabilitating the health of the people of Biliran through the operation and maintenance of the hospital and its network, and of supporting the implementation, supervision and monitoring of local and national health programs. It provides technical assistance to rural health units (RHU) and to barangay health stations (BHS). It also assists in the promotion and maintenance of public sanitation, conducts field health information campaigns, and renders health intelligence services. It likewise oversees the operation of four emergency clinics strategically located in the municipalities of Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba and Maripipi. The provincial hospital has five major service divisions: administrative, medical/ancillary, nursing, dietary, and technical.

The Provincial Treasurer's Office takes charge of all local government funds. It collects taxes, revenues, fees and other charges that are needed to support the general appropriations ordinance. The office maintains and updates the tax information system and exercises local supervision over all treasury offices of component municipalities. It reviews the tax ordinance of the municipalities, conducts periodic tax education information/collection campaigns and trains barangay treasurers and officials on the methods of collecting real property taxes and fees. It aims to stabilize the finances of the province and its municipalities through a continuous program of improving local revenue collection efficiency and the management of cash resources, and to provide the province and the municipalities with an efficient and progressive organization for fiscal administration, particularly in the collection and disbursement of funds, local taxation and other auxiliary services.

The Provincial Budget Office administers the fiscal budget of the provincial government. It is responsible for budget preparation, execution, control and accountability. The office reviews and consolidates the budget proposals of the different offices of the provincial government and likewise assists the Sangguniang Panlalwigan in reviewing the municipal budgets. It makes forms, orders and circulars containing budgetary and appropriation matters, conducts budgeting orientation trainings/seminars, and submits periodic reports to the DBM.

The Provincial Accountant's Office is tasked with the recording and review of financial transactions in accordance with government accounting principles, rules and regulations. It summarizes and prepares financial statements for submission to different offices to provide information on the financial condition and operation of the province. The office also recommends measures to improve the utilization of government funds and properties. It maintains an internal audit system in the LGU and certifies to the availability of budgetary allotment to which expenditures and obligations may be properly charged. The office processes vouchers and prepares statements of cash advances, liquidation, salaries, allowances, reimbursements and remittances pertaining to the LGU.

The Provincial General Services Office provides management support to the agency by rendering general services that ensure efficiency, economy and effectiveness in the conduct of its operations. The GSO is responsible for the acquisition/procurement of supplies and materials of the line departments as identified in the overall fiscal plan and makes sure that properties are properly accounted for, managed and utilized. It collates and disseminates information on prices, shipping and other costs of supplies and items commonly used by the provincial government, including those needed by the hospitals.

The Provincial Assessor's Office takes charge of the assessment of all real properties in the province. The office establishes a systematic method of assessment, updates property tax maps, keeps record of all transfers of land ownership, leases, mortgages and all other forms of encumbrances of real properties, rentals, insurance and cost of construction of building and other improvements of land for assessment purposes.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is the provincial LGU's primary welfare entity which is responsible for uplifting the living conditions and improving the quality of life of that segment of the population who have the least in life in terms of physical, mental and social well-being and needs social welfare assistance/social work intervention to enable them to become self-reliant and contribute to national development. The PSWDO is tasked to develop and implement a comprehensive program of social services to facilitate integration of the most disadvantaged and distressed Biliranons into the mainstream of society; to care, protect and rehabilitate socially disabled constituents and the physically and mentally handicapped for effective social functioning; to arrest the further deterioration of the socially disabling or dehumanizing conditions of the disadvantaged segment at the community level; to coordinate the service facilities from concerned agencies; to provide an integrated welfare package to constituents on the basis of their needs; and to advocate for policies and measures addressing social welfare concerns.

The Office of Provincial Agricultural Services assumes the responsibility of implementing priority projects intended to increase income in the agriculture and fishery sectors and also to conserve and rehabilitate the marine resources through coastal resource management. It regulates quarantine services and conducts production testing and dissemination. The functions of the OPAS also include soil and water conservation management geared towards sustainable productivity; verification and dissemination of information relevant to crops and other commodities in the aspect of propagation and production; and facilitation of market access and promotion of agri-based enterprises. This office likewise conducts farm experiments, assists in the implementation of R & D activities, and collaborates with other agencies on enhancement efforts for increased agricultural production.

The formulation and implementation of animal health programs for the prevention and control of animal diseases and the development of comprehensive plans to increase and improve the quality of livestock and poultry inventory and production are the primary functions of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian. The OPV recommends measures involving veterinary public health, quarantine services, and animal welfare and extends veterinary assistance, services and transfer of appropriate technology to livestock farmers.

The duties and functions of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are classified into three - legislative, quasi-judicial and administrative, and secretariat. Under its legislative functions, the SP formulates legislative development programs and makes decisions; enacts tax ordinances to raise revenues of the province as provided in the local tax code; passes and approves the Annual Budget; reviews, approves or disapproves municipal resolutions and ordinances which require action of the Sannguniang Panlalawigan;enacts resolutions and ordinances to provide for the needs of the different provincial and national offices; and approves the creation of barangays.

In the performance of its quasi-judicial and administrative functions, the SP hears and decides on complaints filed against elective municipal officials and provincial employees, and maintains the office of the SP and its staff.

Furthermore, the Office of the SP prepares the agenda for its regular and special sessions; records the minutes and proceedings of the SP and transmits whatever necesssary decisions, resolutions, ordinances and orders emanating from it; keeps records of all minutes and proceedings of the SP as required by law; and coordinates with the Office of the Governor and other offices on official matters.

Table 5. PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT
CY-2003

Office/Department	No. of Plantilla Positions	Number of Personnel
		Adminis- trative	Technical	Total
Office of the Governor	58	44	5	49
Provincial Information Office	4	1	1	2
Provincial Jail	15	15	-	15
Sangguniang Panlalawigan	31	29	-	29
Office of the Provincial Administrator	8	8	-	8
Provincial Budget Office	6	2	4	6
Provincial Accountant's Office	11	6	4	10
Provincial Treasurer's Office	12	10	-	10
Provincial Assessor's Office	9	2	6	8
Provincial Planning & Development Office	8	-	8	8
Provincial General Services Office	19	18	-	18
Provincial Engineer's Office	16	7	9	16
Provincial Health Office	116	13	86	99
Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office	11	5	4	9
Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services	22	4	17	21
Office of the Provincial Veterinarian	7	1	6	7
Legal Office	3	-	3	3
TOTALS	356	165	153	318

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