PALO, Leyte- The mayor of this town, Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla, expressed her full support on the continued campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs.
Petilla, who is on her third and last term as mayor of this booming town, said that the campaign had an impact on the proliferation of the illicit drugs and thus should be continued until it would be eradicated in the country.
During his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) last Monday (July 24), Mr. Duterte said that his fight against illegal drugs would be “unremitting as it will be unrelenting.”
“I have learned from experience that the economy surges only when there is peace and order prevailing in places where investors can pour in their capital and expertise…” the President said.
Petilla, who is not a political ally of the President, said that she is throwing her full support on this campaign which is heavily criticized by human rights groups and international bodies and countries like the United Nations and the United States.
“I am supporting this campaign of the President. It cannot be denied that this campaign on illegal drugs has helped us a lot,” the town mayor said.
According to Petilla, in her town, more than 300 drug users voluntarily surrendered under the government’s ‘Oplan: Tokhang’ which resulted to the improvement of its peace and order situation.
The lady mayor, who once served as Leyte’s governor for nine years, said that now that Palo appears to have a stable peace and order situation, investors are coming in.
The coming in of investors to their town, she said, will not only help the municipal government but more importantly, generate employment to its people.
“There are several investors who are calling me asking me if we can provide them needed spaces,” Petilla said.
She disclosed that one of the country’s fast food chains is set to open in Palo while a midsize shopping mall will also locate to the town.
One of the country’s biggest housing developers has also signified their intentions to put up subdivisions in Palo, Petilla said.
Meantime, several activities have been lined up for the forthcoming annual town fiesta on August 6 by the municipal government to enliven the celebration.
The activities are meant to showcase the culture and heritage of Palo, considered one of the most important areas in the region being where the country’s liberation from the American forces started and seat of Catholicism here in Leyte.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY- The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has confirmed the appointment of Engineer Fernan Paul Tan as a full-pledged general manager of the Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II).
NEA officially named Tan to the position on July 5 but he only received his appointment papers last July 25.
Tan said that he was humbled and grateful at the same time for NEA’s decision making him now a full-pledged general manager, about two years since he was named as Leyeco II’s officer-in-charge.
“I was surprised that our staff meeting was cut and it was announced that my confirmation was out. I am elated and at the same time preparing for the big task ahead of me,”Tan said.
But the Leyeco II general manager, whose been working at the said power cooperative for more than two decades starting as a clerk, said that while NEA confirmed him to the position, he was given a one-year probation period for them to review his performance.
“The process of confirmation is not easy. It is tedious and meticulous. When you are a general manager, you should have the passion and dedication for the position because during emergencies, we become the frontliners and this is our unique role in the service of our consumers,” Tan said.
Asked what would be his priorities as Leyeco II general manager, Tan said that he would work hard to ensure that the power rate within the coverage areas of the power cooperative will go down.
This way, not only its power-consumers would benefit a lower power rate but help attract more investors that could provide employment in the process.
Leyeco II provides electricity to the towns of Palo and Babatngon and Tacloban City with more than 60,000 consumers.
Tan also said that he would like to maintain Leyeco II’s close relationship and further strengthen its cooperation with all power cooperatives in the region.
“One thing I can boast with Leyeco II in my incumbency is its ability to have a good relationship with other electric cooperatives in the region (and) its willingness to help other cooperatives despite being hit by super typhoon(Yolanda) four years ago, in terms of service, knowledge, technology, and man power and good practices,” he said.
Tan also said that for him to accomplish what he intends to do as general manager of Leyeco II, he needs the full support and cooperation not only from the consumers but more so from its employees.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Cebuana Lhuillier is now the largest lending network in the country with the nationwide launch of its loans offerings, which are now available in all of its more than 2,000 branches across the Philippines.
True to its goal of answering to the changing financial needs of many Filipinos, the company introduced collateralized and non-collateralized loan products obtainable with few requirements and an easy application process.
“For decades, Cebuana Lhuillier has been continuously innovating, upgrading, and adding new products and services to provide better options in response to the various microfinancial needs of Filipinos. With the nationwide launch of our microloans products with simplified terms, minimal requirements and basic qualifications, we hope that we will help more Filipinos and further promote financial inclusion in the country,” Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier said.
Ideal for both personal use and for business purposes, Cebuana Lhuillier’s loan products include: Pawn, Happy Loans, Gadget Loans, Easy Loans, and Lucky Loans, all of which are available in all Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide.
Cebuana Lhuillier clients facing emergency and unavoidable personal expenses like tuition and hospitalizations can avail of Happy Loans which offers loanable amounts from P5,000 to P15,000, with a term of three months. Meanwhile, Gadget Loans is perfect for clients who prefer investing in technology by buying premium gadgets, including smart phones, tablets and laptops. These high-end gadgets can be used as collateral to a loanable amount dependent on gadget type and with a term of one month.
In support of the government’s efforts to promote and encourage the growth in the SME industry, Cebuana Lhuillier has also introduced two micro loan programs specifically intended to provide financial assistance to budding and existing micro entrepreneurs. Easy Loans offers loanable amounts from P1,000 to P49,000, with loan terms up to 12 months, while Lucky Loans covers loans from P50,000 to P2,000,000, with loan terms of 6 to 24 months.
As an introductory promo, Cebuana Lhuillier clients stand a chance of winning cash prizes, a business package or gadgets for every approved Happy Loan or Gadget Loan application, which is equivalent to one e-raffle entry. The promo is offered in all Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop, Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala, and Cebuana Lhuillier Express branches nationwide and is offered up to August 23, 2017. (PR)