GMA recycles Limcaoco as new PIA chief

President Arroyo has "recycled" Conrado Limcaoco to fill the post of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) director general and replace Renato Velasco who was named chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said one of his undersecretaries, Gamaliel Cordoba, would now take over Limcaoco’s former position as Cabinet Officer for Presidential Engagements.

Velasco has been named PMS chief, replacing Rigoberto Tiglao who was confirmed as the ambassador to Greece.

Ermita stressed the new appointments were part of the ongoing changes in the Cabinet begun by Mrs. Arroyo last month.

Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes was transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which was vacated by Michael Defensor, now presidential chief of staff.

Esperanza Cabral, a cardiologist, was appointed secretary of Social Welfare and Development, replacing Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, one of the controversial former Cabinet officials who called on Mrs. Arroyo last year to step down.

Presidential adviser for external affairs Edgardo Pamintuan was assigned as new chairman of the Subic-Clark Area Development, the agency in charge of the development of the former US air base at Clark Field in Pampanga.

Budget Secretary Romulo Neri went back as director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and was replaced by Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr.

Andaya and Antipolo City Rep. Ronaldo Puno, who had been appointed as interior and local government secretary, are the two lawmakers who have accepted offers to join the Cabinet of Mrs. Arroyo. — Aurea Calica