Cebu to give P25M more financial aid to Mindanao

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Province has expanded its assistance to earthquake-hit provinces in Mindanao, with the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan authorizing the release of an additional P25 million on top of the previously approved P10 million aid for General Santos City.

On Monday, during its regular session, the provincial board unanimously approved four resolutions authorizing Governor Pamela Baricuatro to release an additional P25 million in assistance to four affected provinces in Mindanao.

The resolutions, authored by Provincial Board Member Red Duterte and approved en masse during the regular session allocated P10 million to Sarangani Province and P5 million each to Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental and South Cotabato.

The latest allocation comes on top of the P10 million financial assistance earlier approved by the Provincial Board for General Santos City following the June 8 earthquake.

With the additional funding, Cebu's total assistance for areas affected by the tragic quake now stands at P35 million.

The move stemmed from a request submitted by Governor Baricuatro to the Provincial Board seeking the inclusion of additional local government units in Mindanao as beneficiaries of Cebu's calamity assistance program.

In her letter addressed to Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco, Baricuatro cited the need to support ongoing relief and recovery efforts in communities severely affected by the earthquake.

"In view of the devastating effects of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the southern portion of Mindanao on June 8, 2026, and recognizing the urgent need to support the relief and recovery efforts of the affected communities, we respectfully request the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to include additional areas as beneficiaries of the calamity assistance of the Province of Cebu," a portion in the letter reads.

Baricuatro also requested the immediate inclusion of the matter in the agenda of Monday's regular session to facilitate prompt action.

According to the letter, the funds will be charged against the Assistance to Local Government Units appropriation under the governor's budget item in the approved 2026 annual budget.

Baricuatro said the assistance aims to help local governments address the immediate needs of affected residents and support ongoing recovery efforts in the quake-hit areas.

Earlier, Baricuatro said she hoped to personally hand over Cebu's financial assistance to General Santos City as a gesture of solidarity with communities affected by the disaster.

"I want to give it myself," Baricuatro said during a press briefing on June 10.

She explained that Cebu's assistance was a way of reciprocating the support previously extended to the province during times of crisis.

Meanwhile, the Province of Sarangani recently expressed gratitude to the Cebu Provincial Government for the relief assistance already sent to communities affected by the earthquake.

Citing the post from Cebu Province,Sarangani Governor Rogelio "Ruel" Pacquiao thanked Baricuatro for the relief assistance provided to them.

"Kini nga tabang usa ka dakong pagpadasig kanamo samtang nagpadayon sa pagbangon. Dili gayud kini namo malimtan ang inyong kaayo kanamo, Cebuanos," said Pacquiao.

The government dispatched relief goods to Sarangani, including 500 hygiene kits, 500 family food packs, 500 sleeping kits and 500 packs of bottled water, which were formally turned over at the Capitol Compound in Alabel on Sunday. — (FREEMAN)