Republic Act No. 2141

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1

The municipalities of Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, Maripipi and Naval, and all the territories comprised therein, are constituted into a sub-province of Leyte to be known as the Sub-province of Biliran with the seat of government in the Municipality of Naval.

Section 2

The provisions of Article XI, Chapter 56, Title VIII, Book III of the Revised Administrative Code, as amended, insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, shall apply to the Sub-province of Biliran.

Section 3

The Sub-province of Biliran shall elect a member to represent the interests of the sub-province in the provincial board of Leyte. The qualifications for the office of member for the Sub-province of Biliran shall be the same as prescribed for provincial offices in general. It shall be his duty to attend the sessions of the provincial board when the latter has to pass on matters concerning the sub-province; but he shall have no vote except as regards such matters. He shall take the place and perform the duties and exercise the powers of the lieutenant-governor in case of the absence, suspension, or other temporary incapacity of the same. He shall receive a compensation equal to that paid to any member of the provincial board of Leyte as per diem for each session attended; and shall also be entitled to reimbursement of his actual and necessary traveling expenses upon going to and returning from the sessions of the provincial board. His compensation as well as his traveling expenses shall be paid out of the funds of the sub-province.

Section 4

The Sub-province of Biliran shall be constituted and organized into a separate, independent and regular highway engineering district similar to existing engineering districts, for which a district engineer shall be assigned in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations applicable thereto.

Section 5

The Sub-province of Biliran shall be considered as a province for the purpose of Republic Act Numbered Nine hundred seventeen.

Section 6

The lieutenant-governor of the Sub-province of Biliran shall not be a member of the Provincial Board of Leyte.

Section 7

The lieutenant-governor shall receive a compensation of three thousand six hundred pesos per annum.

Section 8

The first lieutenant-governor of the Sub-province of Biliran and the first member to represent it in the provincial board of Leyte shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and shall hold office until their successors shall have been elected in the next general elections for provincial and municipal officials and shall have qualified to said offices.

Section 9

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: April 8, 1959.