Biliran, Biliran
Encyclopedia
Biliran is a 5th class municipality in the province of Biliran, Philippines
. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 13,817 people in 2,619 households.
Biliran's Fiesta is from May 15th to May 16th, however there's very little worth seeing during the Fiesta other than illegal games offered to adults and minors, and of course the same poor quality products being sold on the streets at all Fiestas. Prices of food, beer and gas always increase during fiesta, so be prepared to pay more. It is best to purchase out of town and send a message to the local business owners that such practices are unfair and only confirms the reputation this area has earned.
In 2010, a new Mayor was elected (the son of a former Mayor). Accusations have been made by locals that the 2010 election was "fixed" in that a number of votes were not counted and the voters were unable to place their votes because the buildings were closed early, preventing many hundreds from voting. Others complain the new Mayor paid for votes (from P1,000 to P1,500 per vote). Shortly after the election, those areas where the majority of residents refused to vote for the new Mayor experienced an unusual number of brown outs and having their water cut off for days at a time, with no reasonable explanation.
The new Mayor has made no significant changes, if any at all, since his election. It's been stated by locals that the new Mayor is the same as his father and will do nothing for the people just as his father did nothing for the people.
Foreigners in the area have complained to the American Legion Post 63, the Ausie and German Embassy officials of blantant acts of discrimination by the Mayor's office. Local people who did not vote for the new Mayor report they have been mistreated. Others report that very large areas of prime land were unlawfully taken by the Mayor and/or his father, some of which was sold to the Mormon's to build a new Church. A German Government official agreed to look into the complaints of discrimination, however those who complained have experienced retaliation by the Mayor's office and forced to renew their complaints. At least two American Congress officials were informed of the mistreatment of foreigners. The American Legion Post 63 reported in their March 2011 meeting that an investigation has been launched and investigators sent to the area to collect more details. Another 2011 Swiss/German news report indicates the Foreign Nationals Association from region 8 has started a collection asking for donations to raise funds to file a petition to recall the new Mayor, already raising more than P350,000 for this purpose and invited those who ran in the 2010 Mayor's election to consider running in a new election should the recall be successful. "Expats from around the globe have contributed to the fund and we expect to begin the drive for recall before the end of the year," the report states. With a population of only 13,000 (or less than 10,000 voters in the area), P500,000 should be sufficient to bring a new election.
For anyone considering moving to or doing business in this municipality, a few points should be considered: 1) There's no internet in Biliran; in fact Smart and Globe only provide internet service in Naval, which is a one hour drive from Biliran. 2) The Mayor's office charges excessive fees for use of their "port" to dock boats bringing products into the area which has caused prices to increase even more. 3) Prices are much higher (2 to 4 times higher) than prices for the same items in Tacloban, Ormoc or Naval. 4) Expect to be treated different if you are a foreigner, as reported by the German Embassy. 5) Do not expect any changes or improvements from the new Mayor (there's been no significant improvements in more than 2 decades). 6) The streets of Biliran, Biliran are full of holes and cracked cement, making a drive through the town a horrible experience. While one section of the national highway was resurfaced (which had no defects), just a few hundred meters away you'll find the entire section of highway through Biliran was left untouched. 7) Those who have come to Biliran, Biliran with intentions of building a business or home have reported that they had so many problems with the Mayor's office that they changed their minds and went elsewhere.
With the problems listed above and no improvements anticipated in the future, it is unlikely Biliran will ever become a community people will want to move to or do business in.
For more information about the acts of discimination against foreigners contact the American Legion, Post 63 (copies of the reports are available to legion members and foreign nationals however some of the reports are noted in several region 8 newspapers and online).
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Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 13,817 people in 2,619 households.
Biliran's Fiesta is from May 15th to May 16th, however there's very little worth seeing during the Fiesta other than illegal games offered to adults and minors, and of course the same poor quality products being sold on the streets at all Fiestas. Prices of food, beer and gas always increase during fiesta, so be prepared to pay more. It is best to purchase out of town and send a message to the local business owners that such practices are unfair and only confirms the reputation this area has earned.
In 2010, a new Mayor was elected (the son of a former Mayor). Accusations have been made by locals that the 2010 election was "fixed" in that a number of votes were not counted and the voters were unable to place their votes because the buildings were closed early, preventing many hundreds from voting. Others complain the new Mayor paid for votes (from P1,000 to P1,500 per vote). Shortly after the election, those areas where the majority of residents refused to vote for the new Mayor experienced an unusual number of brown outs and having their water cut off for days at a time, with no reasonable explanation.
The new Mayor has made no significant changes, if any at all, since his election. It's been stated by locals that the new Mayor is the same as his father and will do nothing for the people just as his father did nothing for the people.
Foreigners in the area have complained to the American Legion Post 63, the Ausie and German Embassy officials of blantant acts of discrimination by the Mayor's office. Local people who did not vote for the new Mayor report they have been mistreated. Others report that very large areas of prime land were unlawfully taken by the Mayor and/or his father, some of which was sold to the Mormon's to build a new Church. A German Government official agreed to look into the complaints of discrimination, however those who complained have experienced retaliation by the Mayor's office and forced to renew their complaints. At least two American Congress officials were informed of the mistreatment of foreigners. The American Legion Post 63 reported in their March 2011 meeting that an investigation has been launched and investigators sent to the area to collect more details. Another 2011 Swiss/German news report indicates the Foreign Nationals Association from region 8 has started a collection asking for donations to raise funds to file a petition to recall the new Mayor, already raising more than P350,000 for this purpose and invited those who ran in the 2010 Mayor's election to consider running in a new election should the recall be successful. "Expats from around the globe have contributed to the fund and we expect to begin the drive for recall before the end of the year," the report states. With a population of only 13,000 (or less than 10,000 voters in the area), P500,000 should be sufficient to bring a new election.
For anyone considering moving to or doing business in this municipality, a few points should be considered: 1) There's no internet in Biliran; in fact Smart and Globe only provide internet service in Naval, which is a one hour drive from Biliran. 2) The Mayor's office charges excessive fees for use of their "port" to dock boats bringing products into the area which has caused prices to increase even more. 3) Prices are much higher (2 to 4 times higher) than prices for the same items in Tacloban, Ormoc or Naval. 4) Expect to be treated different if you are a foreigner, as reported by the German Embassy. 5) Do not expect any changes or improvements from the new Mayor (there's been no significant improvements in more than 2 decades). 6) The streets of Biliran, Biliran are full of holes and cracked cement, making a drive through the town a horrible experience. While one section of the national highway was resurfaced (which had no defects), just a few hundred meters away you'll find the entire section of highway through Biliran was left untouched. 7) Those who have come to Biliran, Biliran with intentions of building a business or home have reported that they had so many problems with the Mayor's office that they changed their minds and went elsewhere.
With the problems listed above and no improvements anticipated in the future, it is unlikely Biliran will ever become a community people will want to move to or do business in.
For more information about the acts of discimination against foreigners contact the American Legion, Post 63 (copies of the reports are available to legion members and foreign nationals however some of the reports are noted in several region 8 newspapers and online).
Barangays
Biliran is politically subdivided into 11 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
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- Bato
- Burabod
- Busali
- Hugpa
- Julita
- Canila
- Pinangumhan
- San Isidro (Pob.)
- San Roque (Pob.)
- Sanggalang
- Villa Enage (Baras)