Wyne Jaro ( The six-foot tall giant approached me with an extended hand.

Etched on his face was wisdom that came from 62 years of living on this earth, yet this grip was firm, the handshake vigorous. Dressed in a plain white shirt and won-out trousers, Gov. Wayne McFarland Jaro and his wife Amelia invited me into their home. For two days, they accommodated me and photographer Erik Liongoren, showed us a good time. The Governor is the youngest in a brood of four from the first wife. He was barely a month old when his mother died. His father remarried his mother's youngest sister. It was then that he became known as Wayne. "My stepmother was an avid fan of the Duke, si John Wayne. Eh sa school, masyado raw mahaba ang pangalan ko kaya pinaikli niya, kaya naging Wayne." he relates with amusement. Perhaps it was the presence of his aides that caused him to hesitate to divulge his real name; nonetheless, he did. "It's Winnifred." he says, his laugther echoing through the room. Gov. Jaro is a man of many faces. He is a dentist by profession (graduated from the University of the East), a businessman by avocation and a Colonel by appointment (he served under President Fidel Ramos during the former days as a general), but of these, his most cherished title is father. He is father to nine children, six boys and three girls, all of them grown up, all professionals in their own right except for the youngest who is still in school. Gov. Jaro settled in Bacolod when he graduated from college. It was during his tenure there that he met his wife. However, being a dentist day in and day out eventually wore him down. It was then that he decided to go into business. "Business came naturally to me. I don't know why, pero I enjoy it. And learned a lot from it that I'm able to apply to my job as governor." he says. Presently, Gov. Jaro is also Chairman of the Board of Protectors Security Agency, one of the premier security agencies in the country. He is the first to admit that he speaks his mind, a trait which probably came from his grandfather, one of the first settlers in Maripipi, Matthew McFarland. His recreation is working. He says he is not happy when he is just lying around, accomplishing nothing. "I feel better when I get tired at the end of the day because it means the day was wasted."

He became governor in 1992 by appointment and retained the position when he was elected in 1995. Since then, Biliran has seen tremendous growth, from virtual wasteland to an up-andcoming metro province. He believes in his province, and his people believe in him. He knows he has a herculean task ahead task ahead of him, but he doesn't mind. He's done such a great job boosting Biliran to its present state. He knows that this is just part of the package. He is doing everything for his beloved Biliran. After all, it is his world.

Hon. Rogelio J. Espina, MD, FPOA

Family Background Gov. Rogelio Espina was born on June 30, 1960 in Manila. His father was Gerardo S. Espina Sr. who had served three consecutive terms as congressman of the provinces lone district from 1995 to 2004. He has a twin brother, Rodolfo J. Espina, of Kampi and was mayor of Kawayan town. His sister, Roselyn Espina-Paras (Kampi) was councilor of Naval. His other brother,Congressman Espina Jr. gave way to his father and did not run for any position in the May 2007 Elections. Governor Espina was married to Dr. Cecil M. Espina, MD. They have three children: Gerry, Gerard, and Gretchen. Education Governor Roger Espina is a medical practitioner by profession. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Zoology and Medicine at the Far Eastern University, Manila, in 1980. He underwent internship training at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City and passed the medical board examinations in 1985. He obtained residency trainings in AFP Medical Center and Philippine Orthopaedic Center. He is a member of the Philippine Board of Orthopaedics and the Philippine Orthopaedic Association. As a Governor All the projects and programs Gov. Espina are pursuing are all geared towards improving the basic life of the Biliranon. Making food, security, health, shelter and livelihood within reach to every Biliranon. All the efforts and resources of his administration focused on the development of the social sector and at the same time giving priority to the economic sector and infrastructure development. Being a medical practitioner has influenced him a lot in all his undertakings as a governor. Amomg his programs were the: Transformation of the Biliran Provincial Hospital as the best provincial hospital in the region by improving its equipment, its facilities and manpower.

Receiving of the P20 Million medical equipment assistance from the Spanish grant which would complement the Province's hospital infrastructure program.

Administration of numerous medical and dental missions of which 53 barangays were served.

Provision of medical and dental services to 25,667 Biliranons especially the less privileged.

Conducting not only one but three surgical missions for free at the provincial hospital

benefiting 150 patients from the different municipalities of the province. Making medicines available to barangay captains for their barangays' health care needs, to barangay health workers, senior citizens groups and to farmers groups.

Assignation of a medical doctor, after several years, in Maripipi Emergency Clinic and Caibiran Emergency Clinic.

Assignation of a doctor who served in the island of Higatangan for their health care need, thus lessening the burden of bringing their patients to Naval whenever their health status requires it.

Employment of additional doctors, nurses and attendants in hospitals and have hired medical

specialists in the field of medicine and OB Gyne, medical specialists in the field of surgery and pediatrics will be accepted to further improve the quality of health care.

Sponsoring 3,300 families provincewide for PhilHealth program.

Aside from this, he also has other programs for Agriculture:

launching of the Dagdag Ani Program for rice farmers.

Distribution of 1,781 bags of certified palay seeds and 200 bags of hybrid palay seeds, benefiting 1,200 farmers all over Biliran.

The Plant-Now-Pay-Later Program for grafted fruit trees, enables cultivation of 131.4

hectares of land for fruit production, in which 97.3 hectares were planted with grafted mangos and the rest for lanzones and rambutan.

Implementation of programs so that in 5-10 years, Biliran province will emerge as the fruit basket of the region.

The Provincial Fishery Section has also dispersed 1,862 kilograms of guso to different

fisherfolks association in the province which has provided both economic gain and food for fishermen and their families. Programs also advantageous to the women's sector were implemented: Thru the Word Kalipi organization, women underwent capability enhancement and were oriented on their significant roles in the economic upliftment of their families.

Intensifying the skills training for women's groups and also granting them withfinancial

assistance for equipment and operation like food processors and others, from the P1 Million fund provided by Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Employment programs were also utilized:

Providing opportunities for overseas employment to skilled workers. Assistance for job opportunities abroad thru the Internet and thru the coordination of the

DOLE and the POEA.

The Cooperative Movement also played a major role in the province's economic growth

and development. 'Educationwas also a must for progress thus the following programs were launched:

Provision of funds for several activities of the Department of Education benefitting not

only students but also teachers. Peace and order was also part of the mission of the governor's administration.

Maintainance of lives and safety of people and property as well as the protection and

security of the province's vital natural resources.