CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has directed her team to urgently review the current manpower in all Province-run hospitals and healthcare facilities and begin hiring doctors and nurses before the month ends.
The province’s second female governor, who had her inauguration Tuesday night, July 1, 2025, reaffirmed her campaign promises in her address.
She pledged to strengthen the province’s healthcare system, create meaningful jobs, end corruption and restore dignity to public service.
“Dili dapat mahutdan og tambal ang atong mga hospital, dili angay kuwangon sa doctors and nurses (Hospitals should not run out of medicine, nor should they lack doctors and nurses),” Baricuatro said in her inaugural speech delivered at the social hall of the Capitol building in uptown Cebu City.
The Provincial Government runs and operates 16 hospitals all over Cebu.
Baricuatro added that her administration has initiated conversations with health organizations committed to partnering with the Province for quality healthcare services. They will also be exploring scholarships in healthcare to produce dedicated professionals for the Province’s hospitals and clinics.
Mobile clinics and kitchens are set for deployment starting July 7, aiming to reach the most remote barangays.
The governor also took her second oath of office Tuesday night. She first took her oath last May 22, over a week after defeating former governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
The governor’s inaugural address also touched on other key services, including solving hunger and poverty, fostering employment, ensuring transparent governance and bringing services closer to the people. She announced the Capitol would be accessible to everyone, with weekly public conferences.
“I reaffirm my promise I made during my campaign to strengthen our health care system, to create meaningful jobs, to end corruption… walay SOP (no kickback) and to restore dignity to public service,” Baricuatro said.
The inaugural ceremony took place at the Capitol Social Hall, a decision Provincial Administrator Ace Durano said was made to cut “extravagant” expenses. Baricuatro was accompanied by her husband, Brian To, and daughter, Elisse Nicole Catalan. During her address, she became emotional when she mentioned the late Dr. Rowena Burden, whom she credited for inspiring her to run in the midterm elections.
Plans for business sector
Baricuatro outlined her plans to rebuild trust within the business community by updating the Investments and Incentives Code and reviving the Cebu Investment and Promotions Advisory Council.
“Let’s make Cebu, not just a hub for tourism, but also a beacon for innovation, investment and impact,” she said.
Baricuatro said she would continue and recalibrate the Sugbo Kahanas and Sugbo Negosyo, programs started by former governor Garcia. She also confirmed the discontinuation of “extravagant events” such as Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.
She assured investors and entrepreneurs of an environment that welcomes and encourages business through streamlined processes, honest governance and a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. Full digitalization will be implemented to ensure transparency in government processes.
The new administration will invest in training and upscaling, focusing on information technology and business process management and vocational programs for the youth.
Baricuatro has signed an executive order localizing the Freedom of Information (FOI) policy, emphasizing transparency as the standard. She urged the Provincial Board (PB) to pass an ordinance extending the localized FOI across the province.
Notable attendees
Aside from the governor’s immediate family and friends, some members of the PB, led by its new presiding officer Vice Gov. Glenn Soco, were present in Baricuatro’s inauguration. The PB members present were Lakambini Reluya, Stanley Caminero, Raymond Calderon, Dason Lorenz Lagon, Nelson Mondigo, Andrei Duterte, Mike Villamor, Dason Larenz Lagon, Alfred Francis Ouano, Cesar Baricuatro, Paz Rozgoni, Malcolm Sanchez, Nilo Seno, Ricardo Pepito and Loren Singco.
Not present were PB Members Antonio Bacaltos Jr., Julius Corominas, Kerrie Shimura and Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, an ex-officio member being the president of Association of Barangay Councils-Provincial Federation.
Also in attendance were Sen. Rodante Dizon Marcoleta, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and Vice Mayor Ivy Durano.
The other mayors who attended the event included Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. (Talisay City), Rajiv Enad (Minglanilla), Valdemar Chiong (City of Naga), Marjorie Perales (Toledo City), Teresa Alegado (Consolacion), Allan Sesaldo (Argao), Felijur Quiño (Compostela), Carlo Villamor (Carmen), Romeo Villaceran (Madridejos) and Gilberto Magallon (Alegria)
Liloan Vice Mayor Margarita Frasco, Alegria Vice Mayor Verna Magallon, Tuburan Vice Mayor Danny Diamante were also present along with former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, former vice mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, former councilor Jocelyn Pesquera and Councilor Pancrasio Esparis.
Most of these officials, except the Duranos and Cebu City officials, were either allies or members of One Cebu Party of Garcia, who governed the province from 2004 to 2013 and from 2019 to 2025. / JPS, JJL, ANV