OUTGOING Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has formed a transition team to prepare for a smooth turnover of the Provincial Government to its newly-elected officials.
Through Executive Order No. 16, Garcia directed the creation of a Local Governance Transition Team (LGTT) for Cebu province on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, pursuant to a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) memorandum circular.
Garcia will lead the transition team with outgoing Vice-Governor Hilario Davide III as vice-chairperson.
The LGTT members include all Provincial Capitol department heads such as Pulchra Marie Acevedo, Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Mark Anthony Ynoc, head of the Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is also a member; while Provincial Planning Development Office (PPDO) head Nerces Bispo and PPDO Assistant head June Ilyn Terado will serve as the LGTT Secretariat.
Garcia ordered an inventory of all provincial properties including vehicles, office equipment, and other supplies and the preservation of vital official records and documents for a smooth turnover of accountabilities to newly elected or re-elected officials.
The documents and records include the 2024 Commission on Audit (COA) report, contracts, and loan agreements, the comprehensive development plan, annual budget, statement of indebtedness, and payments and balances.
In her order, Garcia said the team must prepare and submit a Final Transition Report (FTR) outlining all activities, gaps, and challenges as well as recommend steps for a smooth transition.
This will be done in coordination with the DILG and under the supervision of the Bureau of Local Government Supervision.
According to the EO, all the LGTT members and other offices must complete these tasks before June 30, 2025, the date of the scheduled turnover ceremony.
Garcia also urged the towns to follow DILG guidelines to ensure a smooth transition for incoming officials.
Last May 19, Cebu governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro also formed her own transition team.
DILG order
The DILG has directed all local government units (LGUs) across the Philippines to implement a comprehensive transition process for incoming and outgoing elected officials following the May 2025 elections.
The move, outlined in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-016, aims to guarantee a seamless handover of responsibilities and ensure uninterrupted public services.
The DILG stressed the critical nature of this transition to preserve institutional knowledge, uphold governmental integrity, maintain consistent service delivery, and strengthen public confidence in local governance.
To facilitate this, all provincial governors, city mayors, and municipal mayors were mandated to establish their own LGTTs.
These teams will be responsible for a range of crucial tasks, including a thorough inventory of all LGU properties, both movable and immovable, and the meticulous preservation of vital official records and documents.
Furthermore, the LGTTs will oversee the smooth turnover of accountabilities to newly elected or re-elected officials.
This includes the completion of prescribed turnover forms and the organization of formal turnover ceremonies featuring comprehensive briefings on governance assessments, operational protocols, key challenges, and ongoing programs.
The DILG memorandum also detailed specific limitations for both outgoing and incoming officials during the transition period.
Outgoing officials face restrictions on new appointments and promotions until May 11, 2025, and on the transfer of civil service employees without prior Comelec approval until June 11, 2025.
Incoming officials, who will assume their posts at noon on June 30, as stipulated by the Local Government Code, are required to file their statements of contributions and expenditures with the Comelec within 30 days after the election. Failure to do so will prevent them from assuming their duties.
The DILG clarified that outgoing officials can continue with existing public works and social service projects only until May 11, 2025, in accordance with Comelec resolutions.
The establishment of these LGTTs and adherence to the outlined protocols are seen as vital steps in ensuring a stable and efficient transfer of power at the local level nationwide.
The DILG will oversee the process through the submission of final transition reports from each LGU. / ANV, CDF