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ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT

Medical, Health, and Nutrition Programs

Biliran Provincial Hospital

The Biliran Provincial Hospital is the only secondary health center in the province that caters to the needs for health care and medical services of the Biliranons and some Leytenos from the neighboring towns. Its authorized capacity is only 25 beds but it has been operating at a 50-bed capacity since 1995; the actual occupancy, however, is between 70 and 100 beds. Despite the devolution of its functions in 1992, which placed it under the control of the Provincial Government, the hospital operates in close coordination with the Department of Health.

In 2005, the hospital served 27,300 patients, 5,964 of which were admissions and 21,336 were out-patients. It performed 161 major operations and 62 minor ones.

In spite of the fact that most of the clients who consulted or availed of its services were indigents or non-paying patients, it managed to generate an income of P8,828,221.33, where 43% or P3,799,204.14 of it was obtained from Philhealth payments while 57% or P5,029,019.19 of the total income was generated through cash payments.

Public Health Services, Nutrition

To improve medical services and provide better health care, the provincial government sent four doctors, 2 medical technologists, 25 nurses and 25 midwives for a training on the management of the four focused diseases (Leprosy, Pneumonia, Diarrhea, TB) even including the training on managing skin diseases as sponsored by the Culion Foundation Incorporated (CFI)

Gov. Espina who has been a consistent Sandugo awardee as an Outstanding Local Chief Executive in NVBSP implementation both in the regional and national level, had continuously spearheaded the implementation of the Voluntary Blood Services Program. Through rigorous blood letting campaign the province had generated 1,398 blood donors for 2005.

In gratitude to the local mayors for their support to the program, he in turn gave plaques of appreciation to the best performing municipality in NVBSP. In addition, he distributed certificates of recognition to consistent blood donors, cash awards to barangays and barangay chairmen and cash incentives to the blood recruitment officer.

In Nutrition Program, Food Assistance through Supplemental Feeding was done among 584 pre-school underwreight children from 26 identified nutritionally depressed barangays. They were also beneficiaries to Micro-nutrient Supplementation (Vitamin A, Iron, Multivitamins), Food Fortification (Iodized Salt, Fortified Flour) and other nutrition programs. As a result of these interventions, the percentage of underweight children decreased substantially to 20.44% in 2005 compared to 26.85% in 2004.

Still, in its pursuit to help the children, the province had appropriated P52,177 worth of medicines for pediatric patients afflicted with TB.

Through the Center for World Health Development in Region 8, the province was able to allocate medicines and P25,000.00 revolving funds to each of the Botika sa Barangay provincewide.

Field Health Services

In addition to hospital services, the PHO likewise extended field health services in coordination with the satellite (community) hospitals, municipal health offices, and the DOH Regional Field Office No. 8.

Under the Maternal and Child Care program, the PHO assisted 3,497pregnant women who made pre-natal visits and 3,705 women who underwent post-partum care. Aside from the extensive promotion of breast feeding, the PHO administered Tetanus Toxoid-2 Plus to 3,394 pregnant women, complete iron dosage to 3,254 expectant mothers, and Vitamin A to 2,482 lactating mothers and 3,321 children aged 9 to 11 months. These accomplishments are attributed not only to the PHO personnel but also to the MHO staffs and the barangay health workers.

Another program is the Expansion Program on Immunization, or EPI, which aims to reduce the incidence of diseases and deaths among pregnant women and children by vaccination. For 2005, there were 3,756 fully immunized children or 83.37% of the eligible population for DPT, BCG OPV ARV and HEPA B. A third dose of Hepa B was given to 2,041 infants. No outbreak or epidemic of these diseases was noted because of the continued immunization program.

The promotion of family planning employing various methods resulted to 8,073 continuing users in 2005 and by the end of the year there were 3,055 new acceptors.

For disease control, the provincial hospital continued implementing the Leprosy Control Program by attending to 22 cases and pursued the campaign on cleaning the surroundings which helped keep the number of dengue fever admissions in the hospital to a minimum.

The thorough implementation of the National TB Program in the province had resulted to an increase in its cure rate from 86.39% to 88.88%, similarly its early detection rate had dramatically increased to 120.66% in 2005 from 99.66% in 2004.

The province also spearheaded through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian the Rabies Control Program in coordination with the DOH, which resulted in the mass vaccination of dogs.

Moreover, they assisted the municipalities of Culaba, Caibiran and Kawayan in their mass treatment for Filaria.

Social Welfare and Development Services

The PSWDO served a total of 17,293 disadvantaged people in 2005. The clientele category is broken down as follows: 2,910 children and youths, 2,014 women, 11,209 family heads, 363 elderly and persons with disabilities and 797 for emergency assistance disaster-related services.

The province provided the following regular programs through the Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office:
1. Child & Youth Welfare Program
2. Women's Welfare Program
3. Program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Elderly/Older Person
4. Emergency Assistance Program

1. Child and Youth Welfare Program

The PSWDO extend services intended for the care, protection and rehabilitation of children and youth in difficult situations. It equally ensures their social adjustment, total growth and development.

The program had in particular benefited the children and youth in difficult situations whose age ranges from 0 - 24 years old.

Day Care Service

In cognizance of the Early Childhood Care and Development and the Day Care Law of 1990 (RA 6972), in which both laws mandate the establishment of day care centers in every barangay, the Provincial Government of Biliran had built its own Day Care Center, and the entire province now has 152 day care centers to benefit the children.

Correspondingly, there were a total of 163 day care workers for the 4,754 children enrolled in day care classes provincewide; on the other hand, the Day Care Center of the Provincial Government of Biliran had 43 children enrolled with one day care worker.

The Province had annually appropriated P1,000.00 honoraria to each of the day care workers provincewide, while the day care worker in the provincial capitol is given a P127.00 daily incentive.

Books as learning device for children were as well given to Day Care Centers provincewide.

Protective Service

In response to the growing and tormenting abuse against children, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office readily provides protective and rehabilitative services to the exploited/abused youth in a comprehensive special social service. The program had emphasis on the utilization of a center as a major tool in their uplifting and therapeutic process.

Remarkably, the center through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) was awarded a Certificate of Accreditation for having passed the regulations in the implementation of a standard and suitable Residential Care Services for Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances.

CATEGORY OF CASES ADMITTTED AT THE
PROVINCIAL CRISIS CENTER

CATEGORY OF CASES	2005	TOTAL
1. Run-away street children	1	1
2. Battered wife	-	-
3. Incest	2	2
4. Rape	18	18
5. Youth offender	-	-
6. Child labor	1	1
7. Battered domestic helper	1	1
8. Victims, physically abused	-	-
9. Battered child	1
10.Women in especially diificult circumstances	-	-
11. Gang Rape	-	-
12. Vagrant	-	-
TOTAL	23	23

For the month of October 2005, the Center for Street Children had assisted ten (10) street children from the differrent barangays of the Municipality of Naval. They were admitted temporarily while their parents attended a series of Parent Effectiveness and Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT) sessions.

For 2005, a total of 2 boys and 21 girls were admitted in the center. The male and the female wards were separately situated and were both manned by staffs.

Services/Activities Provided at the Crisis Center for Women and Street Children	Number of Wards Who Availed of the Services
1. Counselling and casework/services to the minors and their families	23
2. Medical/dental or health services	23
3. Homelife/dietary services	23
4.Education (formal and non-formal)	23
5. Economic productivity or livelihood on ornamental plant, food processing & candle making	23
6. Spritual/religious services	23
7. Referral for legal services	23
8.Referral for psychiatric, psychological treatment	23
9. Provision of secured physical custody	23
10. Self-enhancement capability building (Summer Youth Camp)	23
Total	253

Educational Assistance

The Provincial Government of Biliran fully recognize the need to address the thrust of an access to quality education and its soaring cost.

To fight the odds, the Educational Assistance Project of the province was endowed to underprivileged but deserving students. The Province defrayed their tuition fees from the Provincial Government Fund.

School Year	College Students				High School Students
	New	Old	Drop	Grad.	New	Old	Drop	Grad.
1st Sem. 2005-2006	11	23	2	-	5	3	5
2nd Sem. 2005 –2006	9	32	2	-	-	-	-
Total	20	55	4	-	5	3	5	4

Capability Building and Self Enhancement Through Conduct of Youth Development Workshops

On December 19, 2005 the Provincial Government of Biliran conducted the Youth Development Workshop. The workshop provided capability building and self enhancement activities for the youth. It guided them to discover their strengths and limitations and afforded them the oppurtunity to hone their talents based on their individual aspirations.

The activity was attended by the Provincial Scholars of Biliran and the wards of the Provincial Crisis Center.

School Milk Feeding Program

This program of the Provincial Government of Biliran is undertaken in coordination with Dep. Ed and the Philippine Dairy Authority. The Milk Feeding Program endeavors to improve the nutritional status of the Grade 1 malnourished children and likewise, support the dairy industry in the country.

The counter-parting School Milk Feeding Program was implemented to seven (7) municipalities excluding the municipality of Maripipi. The LGU Biliran Province counterparted 50% of the project's cost.

There were a total of 2,586 beneficiaries to the program.

Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)

The Province implemented Republic Act No. 8980 which is also known as the ECCD Act. The program ensures the rights, protection and participation of children during their critical stage of growth and development, which falls on the child's 0-6 years of survival.

After a series of ECCPD planning workshops attended by the two target/ pilot municipalities for the project, which were the municipalities of Kawayan and Biliran, Gov. Rogelio J. Espina was authorized to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Agreement with Ms. Lina B. Laigo, CWC/NECCDCC Executive Director and with Mr. Jim Rebustillo, Chairperson DSWD Field Officer 08.

At the provincial level, several vital documents were drafted in support and for the implementation of the project. These were the:
1. ECCD Summary on Work and Financial Plan 2005
2. Summary on Local Investment Plan for Children 2005-2007
3. Consolidated ECCD Work and Financial Plan 2005
4. Consolidated Local Investment Plan for Children 2005-2007

These documents comprised the Local Investment Plan for Children 2005-2007, which was duly approved per Resolution No 34, Series of 2005. The Province shall counterpart P4.5 M or 20% of the P16.5 M funds from PAGCOR through the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC).

2. Women's Welfare Program

The program upholds the welfare of disadvantaged women giving special attention to the prevention and eradication of all forms of women exploitation including prostitution and illegal recruitment. The program also endeavors to foster the perfection of their skills to broaden their employment options and aid them in the process of self-actualization.

Women are also said to be economically relevant but persistently, their participation in economic activities is overlooked. Faced with the challenge to deliver women from the constraint of unproductivity, the Provincial Government of Biliran implemented programs that would beat the problem.

For CY 2005, the Provincial Government of Biliran implemented the following programs committed for women.

Provincial Women's Congress

Annually, the Provincial Women's Congress is conducted in partnership with the Biliran Provincial Council for Women's Welfare, Incorporated (PCWWI).

The 2-day congress introduced the vital role of women in the development of the province and their indispensable cooperation in its various activities. It made them fully aware of gender and development advocacy. It also trained them with livelihood activities and taught them the adoption of valuable self -growth practices.

For 2005, the total number of women who attended the congress was 1,320.

Productivity Skills Development
In coordination with TESDA Biliran, skills development trainings for women were conducted. The program strives to end unemployment problem among women and eventually, elevate them as equal partners in development.

Skills Training Provided	Number
1. Candle Making to Core Shelter Women	30
2. Barbero and Manicurista sa Barangay CY 2005	119
Total	149

Medical/Hospitalization Benefit

Hospitalized women at the Biliran Provincial Hospital were assisted and classified as indigents according to socio-economic conditions and the family's capability to cope with the crisis situation.

Five hundred seventy-five (575) indigent women were assisted financially while confined in the hospital that year.

WORD-KALIPI's Networking

The Biliran Provincial Council for Women's Welfare, Inc. was organized to promote women's welfare and address various concerns of the 30,627 women in the Province, in which 70% or 21,438 of them are economically and socially disadvantaged.

In partnership with government agencies the network provided the women with comprehensive and integrated development programs particularly on health, livelihood, self-enhancement , community participation and value formation

The Council was initiated and organized by PSWD with the concerted efforts of the women leaders in the province sometime in 1992 and was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Presently, it is chaired by Dr. Cecil Espina.

It is a non-government organization with eleven (11) members comprising the Board of Trustees and who are elected in the General Assembly which is convened annually.

Its membership is open to women who are heads of agencies in the government and non-government, women legislators, women local chief executives (barangay, municipal and provincial), wives of the Governor, Vice Governor, Mayors, Vice Mayors and Sangguniang Bayan/Panlalawigan members.

Social Welfare Structures	Number
1.      WORD-KALIPI	142 chapters or 6,390 women
2.      PCCWI	1 association or 50 women members

3. Family Welfare Program

The program focuses on the socially disadvantaged families. It helps them develop their overall capability through the definition of their needs and the formulation of sound solutions that would bring about the desired social change.

Advice-giving and Counseling Service

Walk-in and referred clients are counseled on the values and the resolution of the psycho-social barriers related to the practice of child spacing and planned family size.

Counseling also includes handling marital conflicts, deciding about legal separations, coping with changed or added roles and the dilemma of solo parenting, which commonly results to family dysfunctioning.

The office was able to console 408 family heads for the year.

Capital Livelihood Assistance

Eleven (11) families/beneficiaries in the Core Shelter Assistance Project at Larrazabal Resettlement Area availed financial/capital assistance - a community-based project. Two groups or five (5) members per group with financial assistance of P4,287.50 chose candle making as their livelihood project while one (1) family/individual project had homemade pastries with their financial assistance of P9,110.00. Capital assistance has rollback re-payments for one (1) year since the release of assistance last December 14, 2005.

Medical Hospitalization Benefits

Hospitalized family heads were assisted and classified as indigents according to socio economic condition and the family's capability to cope with the crisis situation.

For 2005, 182 family heads were classified as indigent patients.


PCSO Endowment Fund

Eighty four (84) indigent families/patients admitted at Biliran Provincial Hospital have availed the PCSO Endowment Fund since July 19, 2005.

PhilHealth Insurance Benefits

Eleven thousand two hundred ten (11,210) families have been enrolled in Philhealth. Monthly premiums were being paid and annually renewed by the Provincial Government of Biliran. Families with Philhealth ID cards were assisted with the availment of medical benefits whenever confined 24 hours or more in Philhealth accredited hospitals.

PHILHEALTH ENROLEES
(Provincial Funded) Renewable Annually

Municipality	Mar 1	Mar 16	May 1	Jun 16	Jul 1	Dec. 16	Total
1. Naval	295	18	1,460	-	57	1,805	3,635
2. Almeria	127	-	198	-	1	634	960
3. Biliran	57	5	272	14	41	901	1,290
4. Cabucgayan	12	18	202	-	149	659	1,040
5. Culaba	63	13	158	-	170	562	966
6. Caibiran	16	56	181	-	127	718	1,098
7. Kawayan	-	37	127	-	241	940	1,345
8. Maripipi	93	-	280	-	47	456	876
Total	663	147	2,878	14	833	6,675	11,210

4. Program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Elderly/Older Persons

This refers to the provision of services related to disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for the physically, mentally and socially disabled persons. The program also aims to enhance their capability, help them attain a more meaningful, productive, and satisfying way of life, and ultimately become self-reliant and contributing members of society.

The province implemented the following programs for them:

Medical Hospitalization Benefits

Hospitalized Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly were assisted and classified as indigents according to their socio-economic condition.

For 2005 there were 297 PWDs and elderly who were assisted while they were hospitalized.

Orientation on RA 7432 and RA 9257 (amending RA 7432)

At the provincial level fifty (50) elderly persons attended the orientation on RA 7432 and the new law, RA 9257, last Oct. 5, 2005.

This orientation was attended by provincial federation officers of senior citizens, operators of pharmacy/drug stores, supermarts, bus operators, partner
agencies such as LTO, DTI, BIR, and the agriculture office.

5. Emergency Assistance Program

The Office of the PSWD provides relief, restoration and rehabilitation service to victims of natural calamities and social disorganization, as well as prepare the people and community to cope with disaster to prevent the loss of lives.

Assistance To Individuals In Crisis Situation

This is the provision of timely and appropriate aid to individuals/families in extreme difficulty brought about by stressful situations that prevent them from functioning normally.

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)	Number of Clients
1. Referral letters for possible medical assistance and free hospitalization to EVRMC, PGH and Pro-Infante Sisters	25
2. Referral letters to other municipalities	92
3. Referral letters for free transportation to LTO and PPA	6
4. Food assistance (non-burial)	117
5. Financial/medical assistance	75
6. Financial/transportation assistance	10
7. Financial/material, food as burial assistance	150
Total	475

Emergency Shelter Assistance

The provision of assistance in cash or in kind, to repair or construct temporary dwellings of disaster victims that were either partially or totally damaged.

Beneficiary/Type of Assistance	Number
1. Fire victims	13
2. Temporary emergency shelter	158

Core Shelter Assistance

The Provincial Government of Biliran together with the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development- Manila and the National Disaster Coordinating Counicl (NDCC) assisted 100 disaster-affected families.

They were provided habitable and typhoon-resistant Core Shelter units as rehabilitative service; their dwellings were either partially or totally damaged while living in a disaster prone places like the shoreline of Smo. Rosario and Sitio Gubalin in Calumpang, Naval, Biliran.

The financial counterparting were as follows:

1. DSWD National Office	2.5 M Pesos or P25, 000 per unit
2. NDCC	1 M Pesos or P10,000 per unit
3. Provincial Government of Biliran	P1,265,756.00 for the purchase of carpentry tools and Food-for- Work Assistance

The 100 units are now built with four walls complying with the primary requirements in the construction of CORE Shelters, but due to scarcity of hard wood only twenty (20) units were completed with concrete and masonry works while the 80 units are in the process of constructing steel truss roofing, which the Provincial Government of Biliran will later provide additional financial assistance of P400,000.00.

Agriculture

Gov. Rogelio J. Espina relies on the agricultural potential of Biliran Province. With the island's abundant water, fertile soil and hardworking farmers he made agricultural development one of his main thrusts and regard it as a definite tool to eradicate poverty.

Its services are channeled through the four sections of the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services, which are the Crop Section, Research & Devt.,
Section, Cooperative Section and Fishery Section.

Crop Section

For 2005 the section implemented the following activities:

Program	Activities	Units
1.Seed Production & Distribution	Distributed seeds to seed growers	17 growers
	Produced certified seeds	1,077 bags
	Produced registered seeds	366 bags
	Produced foundation seeds	17 bags
	Area covered	50.5 has.
2. Dagdag Ani Program (PNPL)	Distributed certified seeds	843 bags
	Farmer beneficiaries	268
3. Established Mini-Laboratory on Metharizium Production
4. Mag-Agri Tayo Program	Provincial Govt. through OPAS allocated amount for the land preparation, planting materials, lime, organic, & inorganic fertilizers & pesticides	P260,000.00
	Assisted cooperators	15 cooperators
	Area covered	17.25 has.
5. Prutasan sa Biliran	Provided planting materials
	Assisted cooperators	2 cooperators
6. Plant Quarantine Services	Inspected and cleared carriers	404 boats/vessels 199 busses
	Inspected and cleared commodities	141,287 bags of rice
		16,293 bags of corn
		185,630 kilos or 185.36
		MT of mangoes
		185,437 or 31,647 MT of
		banana
		18,206 banana seedlings
		26,000 kgs. of jackfruit
		145 pcs. Of jackfruit seedlings
		517,050 kgs. or 517 MTof HVCC
		15,692 HVCC seedlings
		Other commodities:
		9,202 bags of sugar
		17,313 bags of flour
		36,471.78 MT of copra
		1,202 pcs. Of orchids/ornamental
		259 crates of lumber
		3,480 sacks of cocoshells
		9,785 cbys. Of edible oil
		2,024 cbys. Of mango juice
		222 jugs of bahalina
	Issued documents	91 shipping permits/
		8 confiscation permits
	Collected certificate & quarantine fees	32 collections
	Intercepted pest	4 pests
	Attended shippers/clients	245 clients

Research and Development section:

The section performed the following activities for CY 2005.

Program	Activities	Units
1.Diversification & Intensification of High- Value Crops	Conducted season-long training and technology demonstration of high- value vegetables	trained 9 agricultural technicians/ trained 30 farmers, vegetable growers
	Area planted with variety of high-value vegetables as an offshoot of the training	8,000 square meter
	Distributed high- value vegetables to farmers	1,311 farmers
	No. of packs of high-value vegetables distributed	23,501 packs
	Distributed foliar fertilizers to farmers	1,351 bottles
	Conducted Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration Project	-
2. Support Services	Conducted lectures & farmers classes on veg. Production through backyard & school communal gardening to all organized RBO’s in different barangays & schools provincewide	Lectured in 72 barangays and 51 schools
	Conducted meetings, monitorings & project evaluations	Conducted 96 meetings, 792 project monitorings and 12 project evaluations
	Conducted information dissemination on the use of hybrid seeds, production of rice, vegetables and other agricultural crops to different barangays & organized RBO’s
3. Institutional Development	Conducted the 2nd provincial 4H club summer camp	1,279 participants from the different municipalities
	Conducted monthly Mun. Fed. Meetings and barangay visits to the different organized 4H club.
	Monitored projects undertaken by 4H club (Livestock Dispersals)
	Conducted re-orientation seminars on 4H club programs and values education	61 basketballs
	Distributed sports equipment to members of 4H club in the province	59 volleyballs
	Total number of 4H club members provincewide	5,846 youths

The Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services through the Crop Section vigorously implemented two special projects for the year, which were the Pabunga sa Masa Program ni Gov. Rogelio J. Espina and the Distribution of High Value Commercial Fruit Trees Under the Plant Now Pay Later Scheme.

Pabunga Sa Mangga Para Sa Masa Ni Gov. Rogelio J. Espina

The project was launched last February 2005. Its target clients were the indigent and middle class families who own carabao mango trees and whose age were ten (10) years and above, planted near the access road.

The Provincial Government of Biliran provided the operational expenses such as the fruit enducer sprays. The production sharing was set at 65% for the province and 35% for the owner of the mango tree.

The 80 mango-bearing trees yielded P12,512.50 kilogram valued at P250,250.00 at a selling price of P20.00 per kilo.

The project had not only helped the poor farmers but also significantly lowered the price of fresh, ripe mangoes in the market from P40.00 to P20.00 per kilo.

Distribution of High Value Commercial Fruit Trees Under The Plant Now Pay Later Scheme

In spite of its agricultural orientation, Biliran Province has not yet reached the peak of its economic potential. It still has to import basic commodities including fruits and vegetables from Cebu and Mindanao.

To curtail the scarcity of fruits, the province had put ample focus towards the development of the fruit crop industry, through farm diversification and the introduction of high-value fruit crops.

This program envisions to fully plant the islands with fruits to avert its scarcity, help the farmers generate additional income, and moreover, improve the level of health and nutrition of the Biliranons.

LIST OF SEEDLINGS OF FRUIT TREES DISTRIBUTED,
AREA PLANTED IN HECTARE AND THE CORRESPONDING AMOUNT

Kinds of Fruit Trees	No. of Seedlings Dictributed	Area Planted (ha.)	Amount
1. Grafted Carabao Mango	12,906	293.27	P348,462.00
2. Grafted Lanzones	5,774	57.73	433,050.00
3. Grafted Rambutan	4,084	40.8	306,300.00
4. Lakatan Banana (Tissue cultured)	7,270	11.66	181,750.00
5. Grafted Durian	756	10.48	35,532.00
6. Cardava Banana	12,500	20	250,000.00
7.Guava Apple	3,027	4.83	151,350.00
8. Pili Seedlings	502	3.22	15,060.00
9. Marcotted/Budded Citrus	1,558	2.5	60,762.00
10. Paminta Seedling	641	1.04	32,050.00
11. Grafted Pomelo	317	0.8	15,216.00
12. Grafted Ponkan	287	0.74	13,278.00
13. Grafted Zincom	194	0.44	8,730.00
14. Coffee Seedlings	93	0.2	1,255.50

Cooperative Section

Cooperatives enliven economic activities and generate livelihood opportunities. In recognition of the valuable contribution it imparts to the economy, the Province had expanded its assistance and strengthened the viability of cooperatives.

Table below reflects the major programs and activities of the Cooperative Section.

Program	Activities	Units
1. Assistance in the organization of cooperatives	Facilitated the conduct of Pre-membership Education Seminar.	6 proposed cooperatives with 190 members
	Prepared economic survey	4 surveys
	Prepared and processed registration documents	4 registration documents
2. Promotion & development of new and existing cooperatives	Monitored and evaluated cooperatives	59 cooperatives
	Collected annual report and audited financial statements	56 annual reports and financial statements
3. Credit Accessing	Assisted the preparation of project proposals	1 proposal for Micro-Livelihood Program and 1 proposal for Dagdag Pangkabuhayan Project
	Facilitated the preparation of needed documents for financial assistance.	20 documents for Micro-Livelihood Program and 960 documents for Dagdag Puhunan Pangkabuhayan Program
	Conducted credit evaluation and extended financial assistance.	Evaluated 5 primary coops with 187 members under the Micro-Livelihood Program and released P250,000.00 as loan to FECARB and BEMPCI; evaluated 96 associations with 260 members under the Dagdag Pangkabuhayan Project and released P1,779,200.00 as loan.
	Conducted project monitoring of funded projects and collected payments for loan.	Collected P205,241.80 for Micro-Livelihood Program and P912,354.85 for Dagdag Pangkabuhayan Program with total payments of P1,117,596.65
4.Capability Building/	Conducted ownership seminars	Naval Seafarers MPC and Atipolo MPC
Strengthening of Cooperatives/NGOs	Conducted seminar workshop on BIR & CDA Regulations	35 participants
	Attended the 2nd National Tri-partite Conference on Nov. 23-25, 2005 at Tagbilaran, Bohol.
	Attended the Provincial Inter-Local Agricultural Zone Planning Workshop on Dec. 2-3, 2005 at Bohol Tropics, Tagbilaran, Bohol

Fisheries Section

Fishing is a major livelihood of the Biliranons, hence a greater number of the barangays of the province are located within coastal areas.

The provincial government had implemented equally significant programs to help fishermen attain a more productive life.

Program	Activities	Units
1. Aquaculture	Freshwater Fishpond:
	Distributed fingerlings	48,700 pcs.
	Collected fingerlings	55,000 pcs.
	No. of beneficiaries	59
	Area of fishpond	10,965 m
	Assisted in the establishment of Mariculture Zone	3 zones
2. Marine Fisheries (Coastal Resource Mgt.)	Established fish sanctuaries	6 established sanctuaries
3. Marine Regulatory Services	Quarantine services/inspection of products
	Conducted inspections	47 inspections
	Issued auxiliary invoice	47 auxiliary invoice
	Weight of fishery products	24.2 MT
	Amount paid	P4,765.00
	Examined fish samples suspected of being caught with explosives
	No. of samples examined	2 samples
	Enforced marine laws	13 apprehensions
4. Livelihood Program for Fisheries	Monitored and collected payments for Fisheries Livelihood Program Loan of the Pangkabuhayan Program para sa Mananagat
	Released amount	P2,299,799.00
	No. of municipalities served	8 municipalities
	Total amount collected	P595,861.68
5. Trainings	Conducted Coastal Resource Mgt. Planning & Fishery Law Enforcement
	Assisted training’s	3 trainings
	No. of municipalities conducted with the training	3 mun. (Kawayan, Culaba & Maripipi)

Veterinary Service

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian is mandated to undertake measures to ensure the delivery of basic veterinary services such that the quality of livestock, poultry and other domestic animals for work and human consumption be improved. It also pursues programs of the Provincial Government to promote livelihood projects to the needy farmers and the populace of the province.

To ensure fulfillment of these noble objectives, the OPV has undertaken the following programs and activities.

It maintains and continues to develop two (2) Animal Breeding Centers which are the primary source of animal stock for the DOK'S Livestock Dispersal Program.

Program	Type of Animal	No. of Heads
Provincial Breeding & Quarantine Center	Cattle	2 heads
	Horse	1 head
	Goats	17
	Turkey	56
Provincial Livestock and Poultry Center	Hogs	30 heads
	Boar	2 heads
	Sow	1 head
	Gilt	3 heads
	Layer	270 heads
	Pullets	298 heads
Artificial Insemination Program	Carabao	104 heads
	Cattle	5 heads
DOK’S Livestock Dispersal Program	Hogs	139 heads
	Carabao	32 heads
	Cattle	10 heads
	Goat	70 heads
	Swine	132 heads
	Kabir	8 heads
	Sheep	2 heads
Prevention and Control of Diseases	Vaccinated chicken	6,000 heads
	Dewormed carabaos	110 heads
	Dewormed cattle	20 heads
	Dewormed Goats	150 heads

On FMD control and eradication, the OPV regularly submits blood samples for analysis and strict enforcement of quarantine services. Its enforcement enabled the province to generate revenues of P9,053.00 for the whole year of 2005. Shipping permits were also issued to 122 clients.

Series of info drives on Bird Flu or Avian Influenza (AI) were conducted and an Avian Influenza Municipal Task Force was organized.

Environmental Protection and Eco-tourism

As an environmental component, terrestrial resources comprising both those in the upland and lowland areas including the sea waters surrounding the island province were exhaustively monitored.

Sand and gravel extractions were tightly prohibited along beaches and shorelines. In some cases where extractions were allowed, issuance of permits were regulated to ensure optimum productivity without sacrificing ecological balance. For 2005, the Office of the Governor had issued one (1) permit for Commercial Sand and Gravel Extraction in Sitio Lomboy, Calumapang, Naval, Biliran and two (2) Industrial Quarry Extractions Permit in Guiron, Villaconsuelo, Naval.

The Office of the Provincial Eco-tourism in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Fishery Section of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture also monitors possible intrusions of commercial fishing vessels in the municipal waters. The activity had resulted to the apprehension of eleven (11) fishing vessels.

The promotion of the eco-tourism industry is a strategy adopted by this adminstration to complement to its activity of environmental protection. The Provincial Government of Biliran teams up with the Biliran Provincial Tourism Council to promote Biliran as an alternative tourism destination in the Visayas.

In support to this endeavor, the Province had attended the Best of the Regions - Eastern Visayas in Intramuros last November 17 to December 1, 2005.
The staff of the Office of the Provincial Eco-tourism had acted as tourists guide to visitors from various parts of the region; students from Tokyo University, Western Samar Medical Staffs, Tourism Office of the Province of Leyte, Municipal Government Unit of Palompon, and DOH personnel of Calbayog.

The Museo de Panamao, built as the repository of all artifacts in the Province was opened last May 10, 2005. The Museum is a fascinating lure to visiting tourists of the island province.

Infrastructure

Through the Provincial Engineer's Office, the project implementation arm of the Provincial Government, the construction and improvement of various infrastructures were pursued and undertaken with a view to hasten economic progress by eliminating inefficiencies in the production process and in the delivery of basic services and by improving both the flow of goods and people through the construction, improvement, and maintenance of the network of provincial roads and bridges, and further by establishing or improving facilities supportive of agri-fishery production. Most of the implemented projects were funded from the province's 20% Development Fund.

Infrastructure development demanded the construction and maintenance of the road network for improved accessibility of strategic places using efficient strategies. Thus, as regards roads and bridges, most of the maintenance work, surface preparation of concreting projects along critical portions of farm-to-market . For 2005, all of the twelve provincial roads of aggregate length of 57 km were adequately maintained. In a span of five years the 18 km concrete provincial road rose to 26 km. The concern for increasing productivity among marginal farmers also caused the province to construct or improve farm-to-market roads to gain easy access to production areas.

Additionally, two landmark edifices in the province were constructed; the Legislative Building and the Provincial Library and Museum. The third floor of the Provincial Capitol Bldg. had also undergone major repair. Other infrastructure facilities such as water supply systems, barangay roads, concrete foot bridges, seawalls etc. were likewise constructed. The list of infrastructure projects that were completed or started in 2005 is attached in Annex A.

Fiscal Administration

The Provincial Government of Biliran had managed to run soundly its fiscal operations during the year under review, in terms of budgetary performance and financial transactions while ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of its basic services and facilities that undoubtedly addressed the economic, social, political, and environmental concerns of the administration.

For the calendar year 2005, the provincial government had a total budget of Two Hundred Thirty-Six Million One Hundred Seventy-One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Four Pesos & Ninety-One Centavos (P236,171,994.91). This amount was appropriated for:

1. Personal Services	P88,989,589.51
2. MOOE	P43,487,207.00
3. Capital Outlay	P15,187,900.00
4. Non-Office Expenditures	P88, 507,298.40

Of the P88,507,298.40 under Non-Office Expenditures, Thirty Seven Million Seven Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty & 60/100 (P37,739,780.60) which is equivalent to 20% of the 2005 Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) was used to fund development projects outlined in the 2005 approved Annual Investment Plan (AIP), P6,449,757.80 for Budgetary Reserve and P44, 317,760 was expended for other Statutory and Contractual Obligations which were as follows:

1. Various Infra	P4,200,000.00
2. LGU Assistance Fund	P1,600,000.00
3. Barangay Assistance Fund	P600,000.00
4. Agricultural Devt. Fund	P500,000.00
5. Medical Mission	P11,400,000.00
6. Knowledge Channel	P1,700,000,00
7. Medicare Para Sa Masa	P1,584,960,00
8. Biliran Computerization Program	P12,000,000.00
9. Mini-Hydro Electric Project	P500,000.00
10. One (1) Unit Farm Tractor	P3,000,000.00

The last three items are priority programs of the Provincial Government of Biliran. The Biliran Computerization Program provides a fully integrated computerized program to improve the standard operating procedures of the Provincial Government and its interaction with the public as it provides an automated and integrated Real Property Tax assessment, billing, financial management, barangay monitoring and administrative systems, digital records of tax declaration of RPT tax units, thus giving way to a more efficient collection of fees and taxes in the province and its municipalities. The Mini Hydro Electirc Project and the acquisition of a farm tractor were also included in the priority projects, hence both items are tools necessary for development.

The provincial regular employees were each granted a P10,000.00 Extra Cash Gift and P3,000.00 for casual employees aside from the usual Year-end Benefits. A P1,000.00 Educational Assistance to help the employees cope with the rising cost of education was also appropriated. The biggest bulk or 30% of the Personal Services Cost however, goes to the Provincial Health Office where some of its personnel receive overtime pay on top of Magna Carta and other health benefits they were entitled to receive.

The revenue generation works well as the province earned P469,510.51 from the issuance of certifications pertaining to assessment , tax declaration and other documents for reference and taxation purposes.

It is also worthwhile to report that the province had generated an increase in taxable assessed valuation of real properties from P749,319,657 for the year 2004 to P767,921,739 for 2005, thereby generating an increment of P18,602.082. Notably, the real property tax collectible of the province had also increased by P372,041.64 for BASIC and SEF.

In the collection of real property taxes, fees and charges for economic enterprise, the Office of the Provincial Treasury had done its share by attaining as early as September 2005 the 80% quota set by the Dept. of Finance which amounts to P 8,945,291.08.

In 2005, the provincial government generated a total income of P177,238,903.00. Total expenditures for the year amounted to 177,237,931.72.

Other Accomplishments

* The Provincial Government of Biliran had allocated P1,700,000.00 for the establishment of Knowledge Channel in the Province of Biliran. The program offers television set with satellite disk to all secondary schools, and four (4) elementary schools (Naval Central School, Naval SPED, and the elementary schools of Calumpang and Sto. Nino)

The program is a novel idea to the regular school environment. It provides the school children with the option to learn not in the conventional manner of teaching, and through materials which are results of high-end research and studies.

Through it, the school children can readily view any educational channel of their choice and more importantly a wider range of science lessons to prepare them to be highly competitive in their endeavor to higher education.

* To provide an environment where even the out-of school youths will learn information technology as a tool for productivity, the provincial government tied up with the Engineers Without Borders of Canada, a foreign NGO, to set up a computer training facility intended for OSY's at the Provincial IT Learning Center.

Under the SCALA (Sharing Computer Access Locally and Abroad) Program, the foreign NGO provided 15 computer sets, which the province complemented with a staff of 3 skilled facilitators to provide the out-of school youth enrollees with a well rounded training on computers, and in coordination with national goverment agencies and LGUs, provide them with appropriate life skills.

The IT Center also serves as the official venue for the assessment of computer skills of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of the province.

2005 Enrollees to the IT Center

Schedule	2005
	1ST Batch	2nd Batch
M-F 10 AM to 12 Noon	20	16
M-F 1 PM to 3 PM	11	17
M-F 5 PM to 7PM	13	17
Sat. 8AM to 12 Noon	14	-
Sat. 1PM to 5PM	20	-
Total	78	50
Graduated	67	49

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