THE GOVERNOR

  Governor Gerard Roger M. Espina was born into a family of prominent public servants. He was 16 years old when his father Roger Espina was elected as governor of Biliran in 2001. Six years before that in 1995, his grandfather, the family patriarch Gerry Espina Sr. was elected as the first congressman after Biliran was declared as a separate congressional district.

  At the age of 31, he himself was elected Mayor of the capital town of Naval during the 2016 elections which he served for 2 terms. Very recently in the May 2022 elections, he won virtually un-opposed as the 5th Governor of Biliran Province since it became a regular province in 1992.

  Transcending from Mayor to Governor, he is defined as a man of action. While his administration is anchored on the core strengths of good and transparent governance, his management is imbued with youthful enthusiasm, such that ensuring the better opportunities of life of the Biliranons is never a singular task, but a collective mandate shared by all who strongly believe his vision and abide by his thrusts and directions.

  His 1st 100 days in office is far from the usual “grace period” of adjustment, and is a testament to his character in public service. In-between the proclamation day and day of assumption to office, he has led the transition team in learning the reigns of provincial governance, every program, project and activity and the people involved. On day one, his administration was already up and running, bringing unprecedented accomplishments in every sector within the first three months in office.

  For the first time in the province’s young history, he established satellite “Office of the Governor” in all municipalities outside of the capital town where the provincial capitol is located, to bring governance closer to the people. The satellite offices provide the same services within the localities so that people may no longer need to travel to the capital town to see the governor.

  Another “first” is the establishment of a halfway house, to provide temporary accommodation to patients being referred for advance treatment in the regional medical center which is far from the province. These are but to name a few accomplishments early on his governance – setting a good and vibrant start of governance he intends to pursue.

Development Goals:
 Full access to social services and protection leading to improved living conditions of the populace, improved health & well-being of the Biliranons, quality education, lasting peace and security, poverty reduction, increased adaptive capacities against disaster and climate change risks & public health emergencies
 Inclusive sustainable growth characterized by increased incomes and livelihood opportunities, increased production and productivity of the economic sector, food sufficiency, vibrant economy, highly skilled workers, development of agri-tourism sites
 Environmental protection and ecological balance, brought about by ensured sustainable use of natural resources thru conservation, rehabilitation and regeneration; ensured environmental protection; preservation of the natural balance of ecosystem/biodiversity; resiliency to climate change and hazards (vulnerability reduction)
 Rationalized infrastructure development focused on efficient transport and communications system including disaster and public emergency response; resilient infrastructure and logistics support to agriculture and fishery, health, social services, tourism and other sectors; and ensuring affordable but reliable utilities
 Clean and responsive governance thru improved service delivery to the public; strong partnership with CSOs in peacekeeping, PPA planning, implementation, and M&E; promotion of transparency and accountability in government transactions; and increase in revenues and investments