Biliran’s provincial government is setting up satellite offices in all its eight towns to bring local government services closer to residents and even virtually talk to the governor.
Biliran Governor Gerard Espina said satellite offices have been opened in two towns.
The target is to open offices in six other towns within the third quarter.
The very first satellite office opened in the island town of Maripipi and the second is in Caibiran town.
“For the residents of Maripipi, they have to take boat and jeepney ride(s) for hours and spend P1, 000 to get to the Provincial Capitol in Naval town and back to the island to avail of services. It was very costly and inconvenient,” Espina said.
“All satellite offices will be set up outside the municipal government complex, but within the town center.”
All satellite offices will be set up outside the municipal government complex, but within the town center, according to the governor.
Each office has three staff and a laptop where residents can virtually talk to the governor or department heads of the provincial government to air their concerns.
“If they want to discuss something to me personally, we can talk through video conferencing and address their needs.”
“If they want to discuss something with me personally, we can talk through video conferencing and address their needs,” he added.
Espina said he would regularly visit the satellite offices to get firsthand information about the people’s concerns.
“The satellite office offers the same assistance for medicines, medical support, official transactions, including access to services from provincial departments,” he explained.
Biliran is the country’s fourth-smallest province, with a population of more than 171,000 in eight towns.
