ON HER first day in office on Monday, June 30, 2025, newly installed Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro signed 12 executive orders (EOs), signaling the immediate priorities of her administration. Among these was the urgent release of appropriated funds for medical purposes to strengthen provincial hospitals’ response capacity.
Signed in her temporary office, the EOs cover a range of key initiatives:
Mandating the free use of regular public comfort room facilities in all provincial terminals.
Reconstituting the Provincial Health Board for the term 2025-2028.
Implementing freedom of information in the Provincial Government of Cebu, promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
Creating a task force to address issues and concerns relating to the 93-1 lots and other provincially occupied lots.
Creating the Cebu People’s Action Center.
Operationalizing the Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Division, defining its composition, rules and functions.
Reconstituting the bids and awards committee and its respective members and secretariat.
Creating the Special Review Committee.
Constituting the Cebu Provincial Youth Commission and appointing its members.
Reconstituting the Cebu Provincial School Board for the term 2025-2028.
Constituting the Center for Participatory Governance Unit.
In a press conference held after the signing, Governor Baricuatro stated that these EOs are based on her priority projects.
She announced that P5 million will be allocated to each of the four provincial hospitals and 12 district hospitals. These funds will serve as emergency funds to ensure that all medical supplies are provided within her first 100 days.
When asked about future funding, Baricuatro explained that they would calibrate additional funds soon, as they had only gained access to provincial documents hours before the turnover ceremony that morning. She also revealed that mobile clinics would be deployed around the province within a week.
Baricuatro highlighted anticipated changes within her first 100 days, including the immediate halt of comfort room fees in provincial terminals. She assured the public that personnel would be assigned to maintain cleanliness.
Regarding the Capitol’s official online presence, Baricuatro clarified that only the “Cebu Provincial Government” Facebook page was handed over to them, not “Sugbo News.” She said that her team has initiated communications with those in charge of Sugbo News.
Job order employees, key officials
The governor also addressed the status of the Capitol’s job order (JO) employees. She confirmed that their performances are currently under review, with no changes expected for the first three months. Baricuatro noted that over 600 JOs are being reviewed, and it’s uncertain whether their numbers will be increased or trimmed down.
During the conference, she announced her key officials:
Ace Durano – Provincial Administrator (with Aldwin Empaces as assistant)
Guiller Ceniza – Provincial Legal Office
Ruben Licera – Provincial Information Office
Rowena Montecillo – Provincial Tourism Office
Paulo Uy – Chief of Staff
Other department heads from the previous administration will be retained.
Ceniza, the provincial legal officer, said that there will be new hirings for the legal office, as one of the governor’s mandates is to include a legal officer in every Capitol office.
Before signing the EOs, Baricuatro met with Vice Gov. Glenn Soco at her office, expressing their commitment to work together effectively.
In a separate interview, Soco shared details of their “very pleasant” discussion. “The first time that we have actually talked and very pleasant kaayu among panag storya. We vow to work together para sa kaayuhan sa atong mga pinalanggang sugboanon. Daghan kaayu mig na share nga mga personal experiences sa kampanya and sa mga tinguha. And we gave a letter of invitation also to her para sa atoang inaugural session nga mahitabo karong July 1, invited mo tanan, adto sa atoang bag-ong session hall,” said Soco.
(This was the first time we talked, and our conversation was very pleasant. We vowed to work together for the good of our beloved Cebuanos. We shared many personal experiences from the campaign and our aspirations. And we also gave her a letter of invitation for our Inaugural Session happening on July 1, everyone is invited, it will be at our new session hall.)
“The inaugural session would be a venue where the governor maka present sa iyahang (can present her) plans and programs, especially those that lead the legislation,” he said.
Capitol revamp
Beyond policy, Baricuatro also mentioned plans to “revamp” the Capitol offices, aiming to make them “brighter.” She noted that some offices, including the treasurer’s, felt “gloomy,” despite dealing with crucial figures. “Even in the treasurer’s office, ang suga ngitngit kaayo (it’s very dark). You’re dealing with numbers and why it’s so dark here,” she remarked.
She plans to coordinate with the Department of General Services to address repairs for appliances, broken tiles and other maintenance needs. / WITH REPORTS FROM JEANETTE ARINGUE AND JULIE ANNE SAJETARIOS, HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY INTERNS