The national government has released P410 million in funding for Cebu Province and Cebu City, with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto turning over a P265-million Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) to Gov. Pamela Baricuatro in Cordova on Thursday, Aug. 13.
The Cebu City Government received a separate P145-million SARO, bringing the total funding released to the two local governments to P410 million.
Baricuatro said the province plans to use its allocation for priority programs involving health, energy, farm-to-market roads and food security.
“We are so deeply grateful and happy for this. This is a big help for our people,” Baricuatro said.
The SARO release comes on top of funding Cebu has received under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
Cebu Province has received P720 million in LGSF allocations. Of this, P360 million is intended for the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, expected to benefit about 120,000 families, while another P360 million is for infrastructure projects.
The infrastructure allocation covers farm-to-market roads, local road concreting, water supply and sanitation facilities, and multipurpose buildings.
Cebu City has received P300 million in LGSF funding, with P150 million allocated for the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program for around 50,000 families and another P150 million for infrastructure projects.
Cordova has also received P25 million under the LGSF, including P5 million for the rice program and P20 million for the improvement of the multipurpose building in Barangay Poblacion.
Recto said national government assistance should go beyond funding individual projects and contribute to long-term improvements in household incomes, food access and employment.
“Cebu is one of the most important provinces in the country. Malaki ang ambag nito sa national growth ng Pilipinas,” Recto said.
He also recalled the disasters that have affected Cebu and other areas, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to return to the region in the coming weeks to provide assistance to communities affected by recent calamities.
“Babalik uli didto ang Pangulo sa mga darating na linggo para magbigay ng tulong sa lahat ng mga bayan at probinsiya para sa mga tinamaan ng bagyo,” Recto said.
Recto said the national government would continue working with local governments to ensure that assistance results in jobs, higher incomes, affordable food and better access to basic services.
During his Cebu visit, Recto also oversaw the distribution of rice assistance and the recognition of Presidential Scholars.
Photo by SBA
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