Cebu Governor Baricuatro’s first order is funding for province’s hospitals

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s first of 12 executive orders she signed on her Day 1 is for the release of P5 million to each provincial and district hospital

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro started her first term as chief executive of the province on Monday, June 30, with the signing of a dozen executive orders (EO) and the first of which is funding Cebu’s local healthcare system.

EO No. 1 Series of 2025 or “An Order for the Urgent Release of Appropriated Funds for Medical Purposes to Strengthen Cebu Provincial Hospitals’ Response Capacity” mandates the release of P5 million to each provincial and district hospital in the province.

The order said, “there is a recognized need to immediately augment the capacities of all provincial and district hospitals in the Province of Cebu to enable them to procure essential medicines, medical supplies, and other necessary items to respond to the rising demand for urgent healthcare services.”

Since the start of her campaign, Baricuatro promised to Cebuanos to improve the province’s healthcare system, citing a lack of equipment and medicines in rural areas.

Baricuatro’s EO intends to support the hospitals’ immediate and emergency procurement of medical supplies and other related necessities, giving the provincial government not more than 90 days to accomplish the full release of the funds from June 30.

Why it matters

In a Rappler Talk on May 21, Baricuatro said that her time managing a food bank in the Visayas gave her insights on the issues of the provincial healthcare system.

“For the past years, I saw how the people of Cebu were suffering, especially in the province regarding access to healthcare…kaya isa ‘yon sa priority projects ko (that’s why it was one of my priority projects) during the campaign,” she said.

Cebu has 12 district hospitals and four main provincial hospitals. A majority of the district hospitals are identified as infirmaries or primary care facilities that provide general healthcare services to the public like vaccinations and minor wound treatments.

Rappler visited the Tuburan District Hospital and Carcar City Provincial Hospital in late June. According to the staff there, patients may be referred to other healthcare centers when the needed healthcare service is of a “higher tier” or is not available.

Maria Socorro Labores, a resident from Carcar City, penned an open letter on social media to the governor, asking the official to look into mental health care, especially for those with autism.

“Many families are silently struggling. Therapy, particularly for children and adults on the autism spectrum, is often out of reach due to high costs in private clinics. These individuals, full of potential and deserving of care, are left without the support they need simply because they cannot afford it,”

Labores added that many lives could be changed if therapy and support services for mental health care were made free or more accessible.

Baricuatro said in a speech at the official turnover ceremony on Monday that there will be a shift in priorities at the provincial government with the goal to empower the people.

“I vow to be a governor who listens, who works side by side with all of you, who leads with integrity, transparency, and heart. We will build a Cebu that leaves no one behind,” Baricuatro said. 

Below is a list of the EO’s Baricuatro signed on her first day:

1. An Order For The Urgent Release Of The Appropriated Funds For Medical Purposes To Strengthen Cebu Provincial Hospitals Response Capacity
2. An Order Reconstituting The Provincial Health Board Of The Province Of Cebu For The Term 2025-2028
3. An Order Implementing Freedom Of Information In The Provincial Government Of Cebu, Promoting Transparency And Accountability In Public Service
4. An Order Creating A Task Force To Address Issues And Concerns Relating To The 93-1 Lots And Other Provincial Occupied Lots
5. An Order Creating The Cebu People’s Action Center (PAC)
6. An Order Operationalizing The Cebu Provincial Investment And Promotions Division, Defining Its Composition, Roles And Functions
7. An Order Reconstituting The Bids And Awards Committee (BAC) Of The Provincial Government Of Cebu And Their Respective Memberships And Secretariat
8. An Order Creating The Special Review Committee Of The Provincial Government Of Cebu
9. An Order Constituting The Cebu Provincial Youth Commission And Appointing The Members Thereof
10. An Order Reconstituting The Cebu Provincial School Board For The Term 2025-2028
11. An Order Constituting The Center For Participatory Governance (CPAG) Unit
12. An Order Mandating The Free Use Of Regular Public Comfort Room (CR) Facilities In All Provincial Terminals In The Province Of Cebu 

– Rappler.com