“Matin” Petilla
PALO, Leyte- As this historic town celebrates its 186th fiesta next month, Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla disclosed that its economy is on the upswing. In fact, big investors are coming in to the town, one of the areas here in Leyte which sustained much damage when supertyphoon “Yolanda” pummeled the province in 2013. Petilla, in an interview, said that the coming in of new investors to the town will mean not only additional income for the municipal government but more importantly, provide employment for its people.
The town mayor said that one of the country’s most known food chains, Shakey’s, is set to open its outlet in this town of more than 70,000 people. She also announced that she had just met officials of Gaisano which is also set to open its branch in Palo. “I am really upbeat on what is happening here in Palo. New investors are coming in here,” Petilla said in an interview. She also announced that within the year, the new regional center will be constructed in Barangay Campetic. The town mayor, who had just won her third and last term during the May 9, 2016 elections, said that she is just glad that after Palo was hit by Yolanda, it is now slowly recovering from the horrendous devastations.
“I may be on my way out from office but I am sure that whoever will succeed me will continue whatever we have pursued to ensure that Palo will become an economically developed town,” she said. “After Yolanda, we are now in the upswing and I will not allow it that whatever gains that we have will just be wasted,” Petilla added. Meantime, as part of the 186th town fiesta, which falls on August 6, several activities have been lined up by the municipal government. Among these activities is the launching of its tourism and investment promotion underscoring the push of the current administration to promote Palo as the new investor and tourism haven here in Leyte. This year’s celebration carries the theme “Paglipay han Kauswagan han Palo.” (LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
