Aquino heads DILG,
Cabinet starts work
We’re hitting ground running: Dinky
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, the new secretary of social welfare, who has roots in Negros Occidental, yesterday said members of the Cabinet are hitting the ground running, and the agencies concerned with addressing poverty and disaster are immediately getting their acts together.

She told the DAILY STAR that all of the members of the  Cabinet announced by President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III met for the first time yesterday afternoon, and already began discussions on the work ahead.

A delegation of Negros yellow volunteers are attending the inaugural rites of President Benigno Aquino III at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila today, while the rest of them will gather at the Carmelite Monastery in Bacolod City this morning to take their oaths to change.

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) yesterday said he is also attending the rites along with the rest of the country’s congressmen who have been invited. Also attending the Manila rites is Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., who is attending oath-taking rites of local officials, said he hopes that under the Aquino administration government stabilizes, unity and cooperation improves, and graft and corruption are stopped, to ensure real development for the country.

Negros Occidental provincial government employees threw an emotional farewell party at the Capitol in Bacolod City for outgoing Governor Isidro Zayco, late yesterday.

An audio visual tribute to Zayco was presented, the different department heads gave him gifts for his new life, and those present sang Zayco’s favorite song, “Through the Years” along with him.

Zayco thanked the Capitol employees for their support and appealed to them to give the same to incoming Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.