Baricuatro vows to continue, improve key Cebu programs

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro has vowed to continue and enhance effective and beneficial projects of the current administration if elected, rather than discontinuing them.

This was revealed during The Freeman’s Know Your Candidate segment on Thursday, as Baricuatro outlined her plans and platforms for the 2025 midterm elections.

While she has her own priority projects for the province, Baricuatro recognized that there are also useful programs from the current administration that should be continued.

Baricuatro referred to the Sugbo Kahanas, a skills development initiative of the Cebu Provincial Government, and Sugbo Negosyo, a microenterprise program, which she believes are beneficial to the people and should be continued.

“I like that. We don’t need to change what is already there. If I become governor, I will continue those programs,” Baricuatro said, emphasizing that the Capitol’s initiatives should have been institutionalized long ago.

She said that while she sees these programs as effective, there is still room for improvement, emphasizing that the Provincial Government should closely monitor and enhance them to ensure their effectiveness for the beneficiaries.

“We don’t need to change what works. It doesn’t mean nga mulingkod ko as governor nga ang tanang proyekto sa sitting governor karon akong ilisan, no, of course not,” said Baricuatro.

“Kung unsay naa nga maayo atong ipadayon,” the gubernatorial candidate added.

Aside from continuing the programs of the current administration led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Baricuatro also aims to revive long-delayed projects from previous administrations.

Among these is the construction of a 319-kilometer trans-axial highway, which would traverse mountain areas from Santander in the south to Daanbantayan in the north. She also supports the Mega Cebu initiative, which envisions a wholesome, advanced, vibrant, equitable, and sustainable (W.A.V.E.S.) Cebu by 2050.

“It doesn’t have to be my original project, it could be projects of the past governors, as long as makaayo sa mga Sugboanon, akong buhaton,” said Baricuatro.

Baricuatro’s priority plans and programs

While Baricuatro plans to retain certain programs of the current administration, she also laid out plans and projects that she believes require proper solutions, particularly in health, economy, education, and the environment.

Baricuatro said that Cebu Province’s healthcare system is facing significant challenges. She pointed out the lack of doctors and medicines in Capitol-run hospitals as a major concern.

“It’s not just me, but I go around and I hear stories about what is going on,” said Baricuatro.

If elected, she vows to address these issues by ensuring that Cebuanos receive proper and improved healthcare system.

Additionally, Baricuatro sees the need for further economic improvement and recovery in Cebu, emphasizing the importance of attracting more investors to the province.

She plans to transform Cebu into an investment corridor, creating a business-friendly environment where investors can operate with ease.

Baricuatro also raised concerns about Cebu Province being recognized as the richest province in the country in terms of assets. She cited a study conducted by a group of Manila-based accountants, which found that Cebu’s high asset value includes land appraisals.

What worries her, she said, is that while land is considered an asset, other provinces do not include it in the same way when measuring their wealth.

With this, Baricuatro plans to boost the province’s income by attracting more investments and ensuring ease of doing business in Cebu.

She believes that a one-stop shop for obtaining permits, such as business permits, should be established to streamline the process.

Although this falls under the responsibility of local government units (LGUs), Baricuatro said she will work to make it more accessible and convenient for business owners.

“That’s really the job of a governor, to look after the general welfare of the province and its inhabitants,” said Baricuatro.

She added that making it easier for businessmen to establish their ventures is crucial because once businesses thrive, the province can generate more jobs, which will boost the economy and help the people.

Baricuatro stressed that if elected, her focus will not be on maintaining the province’s title as the “richest province” but on ensuring that no Cebuano is left behind.

“Unsaon man na nato nga richest province ta, daghan’g nagkalisod, nabyaan ang ubang Cebuanos,” Baricuatro said.

She emphasized that what truly matters is not just the province’s wealth on paper but the quality of life of its people.

Baricuatro vowed to implement programs that will directly uplift the lives of Cebuanos, ensuring that economic growth benefits everyone, not just a few.

Further, Baricuatro emphasized the need to expand educational institutions and training programs to better address the demands of the local job market.

She pointed out that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, particularly call centers, require a skilled workforce.

To address this, she plans to have the Provincial Government coordinate with businesses to identify their workforce needs and provide proper training programs to help Cebuanos secure jobs.

Aside from coordination, Baricuatro stressed the importance of allocating a larger budget for training institutions that can equip people with skills needed for employment.

“Instead ihatag nato aning mga ayuda, ato nang ihatag ang budget para aning mga training para makatrabaho ang atong mga kaigsuonang Sugboanon,” she said.

She also highlighted the importance of retaining and strengthening existing provincial programs like Sugbo Kahanas and Sugbo Negosyo, which she believes are essential in empowering Cebuanos.

On the other hand, Baricuatro stressed the importance of honoring national environmental regulations, questioning the Cebu Provincial Government’s recent actions against APO Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC).

Baricuatro raised concerns over why the cease-and-desist order against ALQC was only enforced now, despite the company operating for years.

“Why now nga dugay naman na under her watch?” Baricuatro said, referring to Governor Garcia’s decision to halt ALQC’s operations.

She also questioned the need for another environmental audit, given that ALQC had already secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

While Baricuatro acknowledged the importance of protecting nearby residents and preventing past environmental disasters in Naga City, she hinted that there may be deeper reasons behind the sudden move.

“There has to be something else there,” she added.

Political career

Although Baricuatro is a neophyte in politics, she describes herself as a social activist who personally visits communities in need of assistance.

Baricuatro is the founder and executive director of Simple Share Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization (NGO) dedicated to fighting hunger and malnutrition among the most vulnerable populations in the Visayas.

She explained that food banking is a proven solution to address hunger by ensuring food security.

Through their foundation, they collect surplus food from partner stakeholders and companies and distribute it to those in need. She likened it to a bank, where food is stored and saved for distribution, especially during calamities.

Baricuatro shared that while the Cebu Food Bank continues to serve those in need, she is no longer managing the foundation as its executive director. She resigned from the position after filing her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for Governor of Cebu.

Her daughter, a medical doctor, has taken over the position and is now managing the foundation.

Aside from being a philanthropist, Baricuatro, who hails from Pinamungajan town in southern Cebu but currently resides in Mandaue City, is also a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).

She previously worked as a flight stewardess, where she said she witnessed significant food wastage on airplanes. This experience inspired her to establish the food bank, aiming to reduce waste and provide food to those in need.

Baricuatro, who has the endorsement of former President Rodrigo Duterte for her gubernatorial bid in Cebu, shared with The Freeman that during an indignation rally in Mandaue City, she asked the former president if he believed she could handle running in the elections.

The former president responded with a wholesome message, telling her, “Dae, higugmaa lang gyud ang Cebu.”

“Those are very simple words but are very meaningful,” said Baricuatro.

Baricuatro said that this is also the bottom line of her decision to run for governor—her genuine love for Cebu. – /ATO (FREEMAN)