Leyte guv asks village officials to help create jobs

PALO, Leyte, June 25  – Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla on Saturday asked newly-elected village officials to become partner for change by initiating development programs that will create jobs in their communities.

During the mass oath-taking ceremony here, the governor urged village officials to replicate the initiatives of the municipal government that attracted several businesses after the 2013 super typhoon Yolanda.

“Many investors are now coming in to Palo and we need to sustain this. This has become an attractive investment destination not only for small businesses, but even for multi-national firms,” Petilla said.

Among the new business are McDonalds, Shakey’s Pizza, Jollibee, Mercury Drug, Dunkin Donuts, and Metrobank. Under construction is CityMall, a chain of community shopping malls operated by Double Dragon Properties.

“As village officials, we need to prepare our constituents for this change. The investment coming in means more jobs that we need to fill-in,” Petilla added.

The governor noted that economic development not only happens in the town but even in neighboring towns like Alangalang, where giant fast food chain Jollibee will open its newest branch.

Petilla also challenged newly-elected youth officials, who will assume their posts on June 30, saying they “need to create and push programs that provide and create better education to the youth.”

Almost 600 newly-elected village and youth officials from Palo attended the mass-oath taking ceremony held at the Oriental Hotel Leyte. After the oath-taking, the Department of Interior and Local Government Leyte provincial office briefed them on parliamentary procedures. (RTA/PNA)