As he led Leyte’s 120th Philippine Independence Day celeb

TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla said that independence does not only refers to being under a foreign power but even independent from want like poverty.
This was stressed by the governor as he led the provincial celebration of the 120th Philippine Independence Day held at the at the capitol grounds Tuesday (June 12).
Gov. Petilla stressed that it is important to remember the Independence Day as this recognizes not only the bravery but the sacrifices of our forebears which resulted in the country’s independence from power aggressors.
According to the governor, while the country is now independent from external forces, there are still threats that need to be overcome so as not to disturb our security.
Particularly,he cited the problem on poverty which he said continue to enslave majority of the Filipinos, to include here in Leyte.
“We are still affected for as long as there is poverty,” Petilla said.
The governor said that fighting poverty incidence of the province is one of the cornerstones of his administration since he assumed office in 2013, especially in the remote barangays.
He boosted that because of his programs in agriculture sector, farmers are now enjoying a higher income which is now slowly freeing them from poverty and malnutrition.
But he acknowledges that solving poverty will take some times and could not be done overnight.
“It’s a long process that is why we have to sustain it,” Petilla said.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)