Cebu gets P265 million aid from Palace

CEBU, Philippines — Health, energy, farm-to-market roads and food security are among the projects Cebu Province plans to pursue using a P265-million national government allocation formally turned over Thursday by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

The turnover was held in Cordova, Cebu, where Recto also led government activities that included the distribution of rice assistance and the recognition of presidential scholars.

The P265-million Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), authorizes the provincial government to incur obligations and utilize the allocation for approved programs and projects.

Baricuatro said the funding would be used for projects involving health, energy, farm-to-market roads and food security.

“It's going to be health, energy, farm to market roads and also food security,” Baricuatro said when asked where the provincial government intends to use the allocation.

She described the national government assistance as a significant boost to the province and its people, expressing gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Recto for the support.

“We are so deeply grateful and happy for this. This is a big help for our people,” Baricuatro said.

Recto underscored Cebu’s importance to the country’s economy, saying the province makes a significant contribution to national growth.

“I am very happy to be here. Napakadali ng aking trabaho working with Governor Pamela here in the province,” Recto said.

“Cebu is one of the most important provinces in the country. Malaki ang ambag nito sa national growth ng Pilipinas,” he added.

Recto also recalled Cebu’s experience with disasters, noting that the province had been affected by an earthquake and a typhoon in recent years.

He said Marcos is expected to return to Cebu in the coming weeks to extend assistance to towns and provinces affected by the disasters.

“Babalik uli dito 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.

For Recto, however, disaster assistance must be complemented by longer-term measures that improve people’s livelihoods and access to basic needs.

“Malinaw po na ang tunay na pangmatagalang solusyon ay magbigay trabaho, magandang kita, mas murang pagkain, at mas maraming oportunidad para sa lahat,” he said.

The SARO turnover coincided with the distribution of rice assistance to 3,194 beneficiaries from various sectors, including fisherfolk, single parents, senior citizens and members of the transport sector.

Baricuatro said the rice assistance could help ease the burden on families struggling to put food on the table, stressing that food security and hunger reduction remain among her priorities.

“For many families, something as basic as rice can already mean a little less worry about what to put on the table,” Baricuatro said.

She added that the provincial government appreciates national programs that complement its own efforts on food security and other basic services.

“When the National Government, the Province, our cities and municipalities work together, our people feel government where it matters most—in their everyday lives,” she said.

Under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), Cebu Province has received a total allocation of P720 million, consisting of P360 million for the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program and another P360 million for infrastructure projects.

The infrastructure component covers the construction and improvement of farm-to-market roads, concreting of local roads, construction of water supply and sanitation projects, and construction of a multipurpose building.

Meanwhile, Cebu City has received P300 million under the LGSF, divided into P150 million for the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program and P150 million for infrastructure projects.

Cordova has received P25 million, including P5 million for the rice program and P20 million for the improvement of its multipurpose building in Barangay Poblacion.

The governor emphasized that continued coordination between the national and local governments remains crucial in bringing programs and services closer to Cebuanos.

“Secretary Recto, please extend our gratitude to President Marcos and the entire National Government. Rest assured that the Province of Cebu will continue to be a strong partner in bringing meaningful programs and services to our people,” she said. — /FPL (FREEMAN)