Vice Governor Isidro Zayco  took his oath as the 33rd governor of Negros Occidental yesterday, vowing to continue the programs Gov. Joseph Marañon had started for the province.

Zayco took his oath before Judge Renato Muñez of the Regional Trial Court of Cadiz City at the Governor’s Office at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City at 8:14 a.m.

Board Member Emilio Yulo III took his oath as vice governor before Muñez at 10 a.m.

AAlvarez photo

Joseph and Aida Marañon in May last year

 “Joseph was the wind beneath my wings”

That is how Aida Marañon yesterday described Gov. Joseph Marañon, her husband of 48 years, who passed away Thursday night.

“My husband was a simple and loving man, who deeply cared about helping others and did not want much fanfare for himself.”

“We were hoping that he would last until his birthday on March 19,” Aida said.

It was a subdued festival opening for Sagay City yesterday as residents mourned the death of Gov. Joseph Marañon, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Gene Noel Junatas, and Barangay Makiling Capt. Antonio Rosellosa Jr.

The governor passed away after a lingering illness, Junatas died with his mother and sister in a car accident March 8, while Makiling died Thursday from head injuries he incurred when the motorcycle he was riding on with a friend fell on its side along the Cadiz City highway after trying to avoid hitting an eight-year-old girl.

In his welcome remarks during the festival opening yesterday, Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva requested the audience to pause for a moment of prayer for Marañon, Junatas and Rosellosa.