Pam assumes office, Gwen no show at turnover rites

Local

POLITICAL neophyte Pamela Baricuatro officially assumed office as Cebu governor on Monday, June 30, during a ceremonial turnover held at the Capitol with the now former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia notably absent from the event.

Baricuatro, in an interview after the ceremony, said no formal transition took place between her team and the outgoing administration.

She said she was not surprised by Garcia’s absence, noting that there had been no effort from the previous leadership to initiate the process.

Despite the lack of coordination, Baricuatro thanked her predecessor for her years of service and called for unity and a renewed commitment to public service.

She emphasized the importance of moving forward, saying the past should be left behind and attention turned to the needs of the people.

She later described the experience as a meaningful moment, acknowledging the weight and responsibility that comes with the office.

Baricuatro’s first day in office followed a tightly packed schedule, which included meetings with department heads, a walkthrough of Capitol offices, and a public Mass and thanksgiving concert.

Her administration quickly went to work, with Baricuatro signing 12 executive orders in the afternoon, her first major act as governor.

The newly signed orders outlined the core priorities of her administration, focusing on healthcare, transparency, participatory governance, and youth development.

One executive order directs the urgent release of funds to improve and strengthen the response capacity of provincial hospitals.

Another reconstitutes the Provincial Health Board to ensure more effective oversight and planning.

Baricuatro also implemented a Freedom of Information policy to promote transparency across all provincial government offices.

In addition, her administration formed a task force to address issues concerning the long-standing 93-1 land swap deal.

She also created the Cebu People's Action Center, intended to serve as a frontline public service hub, and operationalized the Cebu Investments Promotions Division to attract and manage investments in the province.

Several key governance bodies were reconstituted, including the Bids and Awards Committee, the Special Review Committee, the Cebu Provincial Youth Commission, and the Cebu Provincial School Board.

She also revived the Center for Participatory Governance Unit to enhance civic engagement in policymaking.

Additionally, Baricuatro mandated the free use of comfort rooms in all provincial terminals to promote dignity and accessibility in public spaces.

Baricuatro emphasized that her administration would be centered on public service rather than political power, underscoring that her mandate came from the people of Cebu.

She also addressed concerns about the future of the Capitol’s estimated 1,880 job order (JO) employees.

According to Baricuatro, her administration would conduct a three-month performance review to determine which employees would be retained. She stressed that performance and transparency would guide all decisions moving forward.

While confirming that her office had invited Vice President Sara Duterte to her inaugural session on July 1, Baricuatro did not confirm whether the Vice President would attend.

She reaffirmed her support for former president Rodrigo Duterte but made it clear that her leadership would be inclusive and focused on the needs of the province rather than partisan affiliations.

Baricuatro reiterated that her administration would not be defined by political colors and said her priority would be serving the people of Cebu Province.

Baricuatro won the gubernatorial seat with 1.1 million votes, around 300,000 votes compared to Garcia.(MyTVCebu)