Mindanao officials laud Arroyo move

DAVAO CITY — The Confederation of Governors and City Mayors of Mindanao (Confed) cited the importance President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is giving to Mindanao by appointing Mindanaoans to key positions in her Cabinet.

"The Confed is really thankful to the President for giving Mindanao a chance," said Davao City Mayor Benjamin de Guzman, who was among Confed members who attended a meeting with Mrs. Arroyo in Manila last week.

"We can see that her thrust is to really develop Mindanao which has been neglected for many years," he said.

De Guzman was referring to the appointments of Pantaleon Alva-rez and Simeon Datumanong as secretaries of communications and transportation, and public works and highways, respectively, and Paul Dominguez as presidential assistant for regional development.

Confed is rooting for former Rep. Miguel Zubiri as environment and natural resources secretary. — Edith Regalado