Capitol transition team formed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has released an executive order yesterday, establishing a transition team responsible for ensuring a smooth handover of the provincial government after her term ends.

Under Executive Order No. 16, Series of 2025, Garcia appointed herself as chairwoman of the Local Governance Transition Team (LGTT) and outgoing Vice Governor Hilario Davide Ill as vice chairman.

All Capitol department heads will serve as members, along with DILG Cebu Provincial Director Jesus Robel Sastrillo, Sangguniang Panlalawigan secretary Pulchra Marie Acevedo, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mark Anthony Ynoc, with Nerces Bispo and June Ilyn Terado of the planning office act as secretariat.

Garcia formed the team in response to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-016, which outlines the responsibilities of local governments in facilitating a smooth transfer of power and maintaining continuity in public service after the elections.

The LGTT will conduct a full inventory of provincial government properties. This covers immovable properties such as land, buildings, and infrastructure, as well as movable assets like vehicles, office equipment, and supplies.

The team will also be responsible for gathering, securing, and preserving official documents and records of government transactions. These include the 2024 Governance Assessment Report, Commission on Audit reports, contracts, development and investment plans, executive and legislative agendas, staffing patterns, ordinances, resolutions, and other administrative records.

In addition, the team will prepare a list of accountabilities and ensure their proper turnover using prescribed forms. For re-elected officials, these lists will be updated accordingly.

The LGTT will also organize a formal turnover ceremony on June 30, featuring a briefing on the outgoing administration’s performance and key challenges.

After the turnover, the team must submit a final transition report to the DILG through the Bureau of Local Government Supervision. This report will detail the activities undertaken, challenges encountered, and recommendations for future transitions.

Garcia also directed all provincial offices and departments to provide full cooperation and support to the LGTT in carrying out its duties.

The executive order follows the earlier move of Governor-elect Pamela "Pam" Baricuatro, who initiated her transition process last Monday submitting a formal letter to the DILG Cebu Provincial Office.

In her letter to Sastrillo, Baricuatro requested the agency's assistance in coordinating the turnover from Garcia's administration. She also informed the provincial office that she had already sent a similar request to DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela.

Baricuatro appointed Edmund Lao to head her transition team. Lao previously served as a three-term councilor of Danao City and board director of the Philippine Councilors League-Cebu Provincial Federation.

Other members of Baricuatro's team include Paulo Uy for IT and Digital, Ruben Licera for Media and Tourism, Aldwin Empaces for Administration, Rubie Virtucio for Legal and Legislation, Mayor Titing Esgana for Budget and Audit, and Ferliza Contratista for Human Resources and Communications.

Baricuatro's team also submitted a formal communication to the Police Regional Office-7 as part of their efforts to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Her camp emphasized that the transition team members was selected based on experience and qualifications to help realize a vision of a "Bag-ong Sugbo."

Garcia's executive order marks her administration's first official response to the transition process, following Baricuatro's earlier initiative. — (FREEMAN)