CPAC reports helping many in 2025

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu People’s Action Center (CPAC), a flagship frontline service initiative of the provincial government under Governor Pamela Baricuatro, reported delivering extensive on-the-ground assistance across Cebu in 2025.

According to CPAC’s year-end report, the center recorded a total of 1,310 assistance cases delivered throughout the year, covering medical, social, burial, and emergency needs in various parts of the province.

The report showed that CPAC served as a critical response hub during times of crisis, providing 223 medical assistance cases and 289 burial assistance cases to indigent families seeking immediate help from the provincial government.

One of the largest components of CPAC’s operations involved food and relief distribution. The center reported that 300,874 hot meals were served across the province, particularly after the earthquake and Typhoon Tino.

In addition, CPAC facilitated the distribution of 580,800 relief items, including relief boxes, bottled water, sleeping kits, and kitchen kits, reaching communities affected by calamities and other urgent situations.

Since its establishment in mid-2025, CPAC has also received 1,408 requests for assistance.

CPAC was officially created through Executive Order No. 5, Series of 2025, signed by the governor on June 30, 2025, her first day in office. The order institutionalized CPAC as a 24/7 centralized response hub intended to serve as the public’s direct link to the Capitol.

Under the executive order, CPAC operates as a multi-channel platform where citizens can file complaints, submit suggestions, and make inquiries through hotlines, a dedicated website, and a mobile application, allowing faster coordination with concerned provincial offices.

Baricuatro has repeatedly described CPAC as a key mechanism in her vision of a people-centered provincial government, emphasizing responsiveness and accessibility, particularly for vulnerable sectors.

“Born from an Executive Order, CPAC is a volunteer-driven mechanism to serve the people more effectively. Our mission is simple: mobilize, coordinate, and deliver on the needs of every Cebuano, especially the most vulnerable,” Baricuatro earlier said, likening the center to her “baby.”

Despite its reported accomplishments, CPAC became a subject of debate toward the latter part of 2025 during deliberations on the proposed provincial budget for 2026.

The center drew attention after its proposed P14-million budget was not approved by the Provincial Board.

During a series of budget hearings, the Committee on Budget and Appropriations noted that CPAC functions “merely to augment manpower to the other offices which require additional manpower,” a characterization that was met with concern by the executive branch. — /BRP (FREEMAN)