Biliran gov wants to link Biliran with Western Samar

NAVAL, Biliran — Biliran province’s newly elected Governor Roger Espina plans to put up a roll on-roll off system between his province and Western Samar.

Espina, outgoing congressman of the lone congressional district of the province, said connecting the two provinces would benefit the two areas.

“I am mulling having a Roro port put up either in Kawayan or in Culaba. If this plan will be realized, this will be advantageous to both our provinces,” Espina said.

“Whatever abundant supplies we have in Biliran can be sold in Samar and even its nearby province of Northern Samar which are among the most depressed provinces in the country,” he added.

He said the products of his province particularly palay, could be transported and sold to Samar, which lacked rice supply.

Biliran, a small island-province, has long been lifted from the list of top 20 poor provinces in the country and has been having sufficient rice for the past years now.

Espina said part of his plan was to have a Roro port either in the towns of Kawayan or Culaba as both areas are nearer Calbayog City, a fast emerging area in Samar.

He said he would first meet with officials of the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Industry Authority regarding his proposal.

Aside from fast and comfortable transportation, Espina said the Biliran-Calbayog route could open to more investors and tourists coming to his province.

“I envision making Biliran a hub (of trade and commerce). So for this to be realized, I need to open access via Calbayog,” Espina said.

He said Biliran was not often considered by investors or tourists because of its location, which is outside the Pan-Pacific Highway, also known as Maharlika Highway.

“Our province is isolated from the Pan-Pacific Highway. If you want to come to Biliran, you really need to take some effort to reach our province,” Espina said. (Editor: Leti Boniol)