PALO NEAR TACLOBAN LEYTE PHILIPPINES A THRIVING MUNICIPALITY WITH A STORY TO TELL

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INTRODUCTION 
I drive from Dulag to Tacloban City at least twice a week and pass through the Municipality of Palo. I am familiar with some of the tourist attractions which I will name later but not all. The feeling I have over the years living in the area is Palo is quite a thriving community. Also I find foreigners I meet tend to stay in around Tacloban City and will maybe visit MacArthur Landing Memorial Park which is in Palo but nothing else. Every town and city in this world has a story to tell.
I believe people who promote the Tacloban area could concentrate more on the history of the surrounding areas. I agree there are tourists who may not be interested in local history but there are also many who would. This is by no means criticism just advice from my personal thoughts. The more I research history from Dulag to Tacloban I become very interested and amazed
The municipality of Palo is located on the north eastern side of the island of Leyte. The distance from Tacloban City is approximately 8 miles. (14km)
LOCATION MAP PALO

EARLY HISTORY OF PALO
In the 16th century even before the Spanish arrived in the Philippines communities were advancing or looking to settle. In the Palo area some historians believe this may have happened in the 10th and 13t century after the birth of Christ
The first known settlement in this area was the kingdom of Takuranga under King Guban. Then from the 14th to 16th Centuries came King Pitik. It was not until 1550 that Palo was named. Palo formally became a town in 1768 with an administration. This is only a brief outline but if you are interested in additional reading then follow the Wikipedia link at the end of this article.

POPULATION AS OF 2015
According to the 2015 census Palo has a Population of just over 70, 000 people. The area of the Palo Municipality is approximately 85 square miles according to Wikipedia

EMPLOYMENT
The Municipality of Palo is home of many Government Departments, bureaus and regional offices. So this area one could say is quite a hive of activity. According to Wikipedia the main income source for most people is the buying and selling of farm products and the fermentation of local coconut wine called Tuba but I believe it is more extensive than that. Many tourists come to Palo each year which is a great income generator but also a significant employer. I also see many buildings going up since Typhoon Yolanda (International name Haiyan). I am not sure of the type of business but it sends a signal that investment in this area is significant
Here is one example. The MacDonald’s just open recently in Palo is the second in the Tacloban Area since Typhoon Yolanda. The MacDonald’s is on the main road to Bay Bay but there would have been significant market potential analyzed before making this decision. Now next door there is a large area of land fenced off for the construction of a new Shopping Mall. Post Typhoon Yolanda if you were told of this it may be hard to believe. Business is moving ahead in Palo, Tacloban and surrounding areas which is great for the young seeking employment in years to come.

 SOME TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

MacArthur Landing Memorial Park
Palo Metropolitan Cathedral LINK


Hill 522 LINK

WW 2 Memorial for Philippine Soldiers LINK

ACCOMMODATION
One of the upmarket hotels (resorts) is located in Palo not too far from MacArthur Landing Memorial Palo Oriental . You could actually walk there. I stayed at this hotel before Typhoon Yolanda and found the rooms and everything first class. ORIENTAL LEYTE

The hotel stayed in ruins for some time but now is open. Passing while driving to Tacloban it appears business is going well. I wish them all the best and I must point out there is no advertising fee, only my thoughts. Below is link to the trip advisor. This gives a cross section of guest’s opinion and the forum I use most of the time.
If you are on a budget there are a number of pension houses in the Palo area. For foreigners I describe a pension house as a budget motel style of accommodation.

POPE FRANCIS VISIT
The Pope arrived in Tacloban January 2015 to meet Typhoon Yolanda Victims. I am not Catholic but thought this was a great thing to do.
The Pope met with Priests and met families of  Typhoon Yolanda Survivors at the Palo Cathedral 

FINAL THOUGHTS
My first message is welcome to the Tacloban area. Life is about options and knowing what interests you have and what is available. The rest is up to you. If you require any additional information you can contact me on my email. There is no charge just wanting to help and promote this great part of the Philippines.
Have a Great Day from
Robbie in and around Tacloban   
You can follow me on Twitter @robertmva

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palo,_Leyte

https://www.rappler.com/specials/pope-francis-ph/81097-pope-francis-leyte-yolanda-victims


PICTURES - WILL BE UPDATED SOON 

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