Arroyo holds office in Cebu

CEBU CITY — President Arroyo flew here yesterday for the soft-opening of the newly refurbished old Customs building which will serve as her office outside Manila.

Doing away with the usual inauguration activities, the Chief Executive spent the night in her so-called "Malacañang of the South" and slept in the presidential bedroom at the second floor of the Customs building.

Among the first official activities she conducted in her new office was to receive last night 1st Lt. Ronald Fedelino and Pfc. Rommel Nemeño, the two soldiers held hostage for five months by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the Bicol Region.

The newly released soldiers were flown here to report back to their commander-in-chief.

Mrs. Arroyo was accompanied to Cebu by some of her Cabinet officials led by newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye and Cabinet Officer for Provincial Events Conrado Limcaoco.

She had instructed that all her "Cebu-made" furniture be transported here on loan to the government for the entire duration of her six-year term. She said she intends to fly here every month to conduct official functions.

The presidential bedroom, which faces the sea where the presidential yacht BRP Ang Pangulo is docked, was originally used as the common comfort room of male and female employees of the Bureau of Customs’ regional office, which has since been transferred to the Cebu Ports Authority right where the ships dock.

Some of the President’s staff and members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) led by Col. Delfin Bangit stayed at the yacht since the refurbishment of the two-story Customs building is not yet complete.

While in Cebu, the President led the awarding ceremonies for the winners of last Sunday’s musical-dance competition that highlighted the Cordova Dinagat Festival. She was joined by Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña and Cordova Mayor Arlegih Sitoy.

Immediately after the event, Mrs. Arroyo motored to the South Road to inspect the progress of the construction being done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Before she returns to Manila this afternoon, the President will host a breakfast meeting this morning with Cebu’s local government officials, induct into office the newly elected officers of the League of Municipal Mayors in the province, and meet with key leaders of Mindanao who flew here to meet her instead of flying to Manila.