Palo town "ready" to be new prov'l capital of Leyte

CEBU, Philippines - The Municipal Council of Palo has approved a resolution declaring the town is "ready to become Leyte's new provincial capital" in lieu of Tacloban City, which separated administratively from the province since 2008.

Councilor Wilson Uy, in a PNA report, said the resolution informed the Leyte Provincial Board that Palo is willing to become the province's new capital.

"The resolution actually requests the PB of Leyte to consider Palo (town) as one of the options should they decide to transfer the provincial seat from Tacloban City to another city or town," Uy said.

"It has been our vision for Palo to become the new seat of the provincial government. The decision however will come from the PB and the governor," said Uy, also the ex-officio member of the PB for being president of the Leyte's chapter of the Councilors League.

Uy, saying he will personally present the municipal resolution to the PB, has cited historical, cultural and economic bases justifying Palo as the best choice for a provincial capital.

Palo was declared twice as provincial capital before Tacloban City. The first was in 1768 when Leyte and Samar were declared separate provinces, with Palo named Leyte's capital. On April 22, 1901 when the civil government was established during the American occupation, Palo was Leyte's administrative seat, explained Uy.

"There is no reason why Palo cannot be declared a provincial capital. Aside from historical basis, a lot of improvements have been observed in Palo that would qualify it as new provincial capital," Uy said.

Palo has been touted as the regional capital being host now to various regional and provincial government agencies located at the Government Center in Barangay Pawing of the town.

Uy said the landmark that has brought to Palo to the annals of world history is the Red Beach in Barangay Candahug, where American Gen. Douglas MacArthur first landed to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese occupation on October 20, 1944.

The town has been also considered as the seat of Roman Catholicism in Region 8 because it is home to the offices of the ecclesiastical government of the Archdiocese of Palo, the Archbishop's residence, as well as the secondary, tertiary and theology seminaries of the archdiocese, said Uy.

Earlier, town Mayor Remedios "Matin" Petilla said Palo may still not qualify to become a city but it can be a provincial capital. "It may entail a long process but it is a good idea to transfer the provincial seat to boost the development of Leyte," she said.

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), Palo is a first-class municipality with an annual income of over P55 million. It is composed of 33 barangays with a population of 62,727 based on the 2010 census.  (FREEMAN)