THE Cebu Provincial Government will realign funds previously allocated for its flagship tourism programs Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and Suroy Suroy Sugbo to improve healthcare services in the province, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro announced on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Baricuatro said the shift reflects her administration’s priority to strengthen services in district and provincial hospitals rather than spend heavily on festivals and tourism promotions.
“We will cut the cost for the Pasigarbo and Suroy-Suroy and reprogram it to our healthcare program,” she said in a press briefing, adding that while this year’s editions will still push through due to prior appropriations and an existing ordinance, she intends to push for the realignment in future budgets.
Baricuatro expressed hope that the Provincial Board would eventually support amending or repealing the ordinance mandating the programs.
The announcement followed Baricuatro’s inspection of the Minglanilla District Hospital on Wednesday, July 2, where she flagged a shortage of medicines and essential equipment, broken tiles and the need to augment hospital staff. She was accompanied by her daughter, provincial health consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan.
During the visit, Baricuatro toured the emergency room, wards and dietary section of the 40-bed Level 1 hospital. She noticed that tiles in the dietary area were already broken despite the building being new. The facility also lacked basic necessities such as rabies vaccines, a dental chair and sufficient nebulizer machines. The pharmacy had neither air-conditioning nor enough medicines.
Catalan said the procurement process for needed supplies is ongoing, and delivery should arrive soon.
Baricuatro, meanwhile, ordered immediate repairs and emphasized the urgency of hiring more doctors and nurses by the end of July. She also underscored the need to upgrade the hospital’s operating and delivery rooms to help decongest major hospitals, such as the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
The inspection came on the heels of the Capitol’s announcement of P80 million in financial aid for 16 Province-run hospitals, with each facility receiving P5 million to purchase medicines and equipment.
Provincial Administrator Jo-seph “Ace” Durano said the measure is part of the administration’s short-term response to the Province’s healthcare needs.
Baricuatro made healthcare reform a core campaign promise, alongside job creation and transparent governance. / CDF