Baricuatro excited to transfer to renovated governor’s office

Local

CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro welcomed the approval of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for the proposed interior renovation of her future office at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, amid questions over the legality of the project.

Baricuatro said during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 21, that she plans to move into the renovated office next week following the NHCP’s clearance.

“We already got a letter from NHCP approving the renovation of the office. Thank God! Excited nako mo balhin next week,” she said, adding that the space is bigger than her current office.

The office, located at the east wing of the Capitol, was previously occupied by former governors Hilario Davide III and Gwendolyn Garcia during Garcia’s first term.

When Garcia returned to office, she used a different space as the governor’s office.

In a letter dated December 23, 2025, NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr. said the commission found acceptable the proposed interior renovation after evaluating the conceptual plans submitted by the provincial government.

The NHCP noted that the Cebu Provincial Capitol is a declared National Historical Landmark protected under Republic Act 10066, as amended by Republic Act 11961, and stressed that any modification requires prior clearance.

“Upon review of the submitted proposal, the NHCP finds the proposed interior renovation acceptable as the majority of the works are moderate in scope and limited to refurbishing and interior improvements,” the document read.

The commission clarified that its approval applies only to the conceptual proposal, as the detailed plans still need to be approved and signed by the Provincial Engineering Office and the Office of the Governor.

The NHCP also requested photo documentation of the existing conditions and copies of the finalized development plans for further review before formal clearance.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the renovation initiative is part of Baricuatro’s effort to enhance and preserve the 88-year-old Capitol compound.

He said the governor ordered a comprehensive inspection of the complex shortly after assuming office, which revealed that the Executive, Legislative, and other buildings failed to meet key fire safety standards.

To ensure compliance with heritage laws, the provincial government engaged heritage consultant Jose Eleazar “Jobers” Bersales and architect Robert Malayao.

Empaces said a program of works was prepared and forwarded to consultants, who then submitted the documents to the NHCP while the project was undergoing the bidding process.

He added that a Conservation Management Plan for the Capitol has already been prepared and presented to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Culture and Arts, chaired by Board Member Paz Rozgoni, with Board Member Lakambini Reluya as vice chair.

Empaces said the Executive proposed allocating one percent of the provincial government’s annual development fund for renovation needs to preserve the Capitol’s heritage value in accordance with the Conservation Management Plan.

The renovation, funded with P2.6 million from Cebu’s 2025 budget, remains the subject of criminal and administrative complaints filed before the Office of the Ombudsman by Byron Garcia, brother of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the National Cultural Heritage Act in connection with the project.(MyTVCebu)