Cebu kicks off 456th founding anniv celebration

Local

THE Province of Cebu officially kicked off its 456th founding anniversary on Monday, August 4, with a series of inclusive and community-oriented activities.

The opening salvo was led by Governor Pamela Baricuatro, marking her first time to spearhead the annual celebration as the province’s chief executive. The governor was joined by Vice Governor Glenn Soco, members of the Cebu Provincial Board, and top local officials during the flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol Grounds.

The event drew attendance from mayors and vice mayors across the province, including Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi Chan, as well as congressional representatives and heads of regional government agencies.

In her message, Baricuatro said the celebration sets the tone for her administration’s leadership style—one that prioritizes practical support for Cebuanos over extravagant displays.

“Sa atong founding anniversary, 465th… we are entering a new era of leadership here at the province of Cebu,” she told reporters after the program.

This year’s founding anniversary carries a noticeably different approach.

While the Capitol has a P25 million budget for the celebration, Baricuatro announced that only half of that amount would be spent on traditional anniversary activities.

The remaining half, she said, will fund a province-wide “Caravan of Services” aimed at reaching underserved communities through accessible public health and welfare programs.

Following the ceremonies, Capitol officials proceeded with a symbolic tree-planting activity within the grounds and launched the Tabo sa Kapitolyo, a month-long showcase of the province’s local delicacies, crafts, and cultural products from various towns and cities.

The fair, open to the public, promotes grassroots entrepreneurship and supports local producers.

The “Caravan of Services,” which officially begins this week, features a lineup of medical and welfare missions in multiple locations across Cebu.

Initial stops will include the island towns of Poro and Pilar in Camotes on August 7 and 8, followed by missions in Bogo, Bantayan, Danao, Balamban, and Carcar City on succeeding weekends.

Services will include general consultations, minor and major surgeries, dental and eye care, pediatric and geriatric checkups, HIV screening, and legal aid.

These will be conducted in collaboration with private hospitals and non-government health groups, including Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, Chong Hua Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, and the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation.

Dr. Nicole Elisse Catalan, Baricuatro’s daughter and public health consultant, said each location is expected to accommodate up to 500 patients for consultations and around 30 for surgeries.

Prescreening activities began on August 2 in Danao, Bogo, and Balamban, with more schedules to be released in the coming days.

Aside from health services, other components of the caravan will include blood donation drives led by the Philippine Red Cross and legal consultations facilitated by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

In line with the founding anniversary, the Capitol also held the Agri’konek Food Summit 2025 at the Capitol Social Hall, in partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

With the theme “Building Safe, Secure, and Sustainable Food for All Filipinos,” the summit gathered stakeholders from the agricultural sector to explore innovations and policies aimed at strengthening food systems in Cebu and beyond.

In an interview later that day, Vice Governor Soco appealed to constituents to support the current administration as it rolls out new programs and initiatives under fresh leadership.

He noted that the provincial government is still in the early phase of its transition and development plans.(MyTVCebu)