The Cebu provincial government has revitalized one of its key public service initiatives by placing the Cebu People’s Action Center (CPAC) under the direct supervision of the Office of the Governor.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro formalized the move through Executive Order No. 83, signed in December, positioning CPAC as a central tool in her administration’s promise of faster, more responsive governance for ordinary Cebuanos.
Instead of letting the program stall amid budgetary and legal concerns, the executive order institutionalizes CPAC as the province’s official frontline system for handling complaints, feedback, and service requests.
A core feature of the reconstituted CPAC is the 72-hour resolution policy, which requires government offices to act on concerns or provide a status update within three days.
The order also formally recognizes CPAC as Cebu Province’s counterpart to the national 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center, reinforcing its role as a bridge between the public and government agencies.
CPAC head Ruben Licera said the executive order addresses lessons learned from the center’s initial rollout earlier in 2025, when it operated under a “test phase” framework.
At that time, Licera noted, the center lacked clarity in authority and scope—issues now resolved by transferring CPAC from the Provincial Information Office to the Office of the Governor.
“This aligns CPAC’s operations with the governor’s direct instructions, allowing faster decision-making and stronger accountability across departments,” Licera said.
Under EO No. 83, CPAC now operates as a round-the-clock, multi-channel platform.
Citizens can file complaints, submit suggestions, or inquire about provincial services through hotlines, digital platforms, and other communication tools.
All concerns are logged into a centralized ticketing and tracking system, designed to prevent complaints from being ignored and to allow officials and the public to monitor resolution progress.
CPAC is also mandated to coordinate during disasters and emergencies, working closely with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to mobilize support and volunteers.
The reconstitution comes after debates during the 2026 budget deliberations, when a proposed P14-million allocation for CPAC was questioned by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Some board members raised legal concerns, arguing that a program created through executive order must first be established by ordinance before it can receive regular funding as a provincial office.
Licera, however, emphasized that the latest EO strengthens CPAC’s authority and operational clarity, ensuring that citizens’ concerns are addressed promptly while reinforcing the center’s role as a key public service hub.
