Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro on Wednesday expressed concern over delays in key provincial initiatives, warning that stalled measures are already affecting public services.
The governor’s remarks come weeks after a public tax dispute with Vice Governor Glenn Soco.
Baricuatro highlighted at least three pending measures, including guidelines for the Legislative Assistance Fund (LAF), the province’s official position on the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project before the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the memorandum of agreement for the long-delayed 93-1 land deal.
“There’s a time to be a nice person and there’s a time to say enough is enough… I really had enough,” she said.
Baricuatro stressed that the delays are not just internal disagreements but directly affect frontline services funded through the province’s trust funds.
Programs such as mobile kitchens, mobile clinics, and disaster response initiatives have been impacted.
“Kung dili ni ma-release na mga funds, dili ko ka go into action, di mi katrabaho, ma-delayed ang tabang sa katawhan. So I’m not really doing it for myself, I’m doing it for the people,” she said.
She added that some funds have remained unreleased since last year, underscoring that the consequences extend beyond politics.
“They’re not really hurting me, they’re hurting the people,” Baricuatro said.
Despite tensions, the governor said she remains open to dialogue with the vice governor and Provincial Board members.
“I’m always a phone call or text away… naa diha ang fund for mobile kitchen, naa diha ang fund sa bagyo, ang mobile clinic naa diha. So trust fund. It’s been there since last year. Wa gyud gihatag sakoa,” she noted.
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces provided context on the delays, particularly on the LAF. He said conflicting guidelines flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) required a unified framework before funds could be released.
“Karon, maygani yesterday, nangari na ang mga taga Provincial Board, ila nang gi-settle so mao to naka-come up na gyud ug bag-ong guidelines, nga at least dili na ma-delay atong services labi na sa barangay,” Empaces said.
On the CBRT project, Empaces said the province has yet to finalize its position before the NHCP, noting that the proposed station near the Capitol has raised concerns over obstructing the historic building’s visual corridor.
Meanwhile, the 93-1 land deal between Cebu City and the provincial government remains pending despite prior authorization from Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival. Empaces said the next step is formal approval from the provincial side to begin discussions with the city. He noted that Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña recently visited the Capitol to follow up, highlighting the matter’s urgency.
While acknowledging the delays, Empaces said relations between Baricuatro and Soco remain professional, with the governor urging quicker action on issues affecting public welfare. “Murag sa message ba, gi-send naman gud ang message so dapat naay reply,” he said.
Baricuatro ended her remarks on a lighter note.
“Pampa good vibes man ta so love, love, love,” she said. (SBA)
