Baricuatro: Time to liberate Cebu from poverty

CEBU, Philippines — Gubernatorial aspirant Pamela Baricuatro has urged Cebuanos to "liberate" Cebu Province from poverty by supporting her bid for the highest seat in the provincial government against incumbent Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Baricuatro said she is not seeking the position for political revolt but for “social revolt” since she is not a politician.

“Because I cannot fight them, they have so much money, they have so much influence so I want to go to people, I want to be the people’s choice,” Baricuatro said.

When asked how confident she is running for the position, Baricuatro said she is more than a hundred percent ready for the gubernatorial race.

“Kung naa pay labaw sa hundred percent mao nana, this motivated my desire to have the people and to be the people’s choice mao gyud na akong gusto,” she said.

Baricuatro aims to champion three main programs if given the chance to have the executive position in the province. These are alleviating the poverty and hunger situation in Cebu; anti-corruption; and give access to health care.

As for poverty and hunger, Baricuatro said that Cebu Province has the highest incidence rate.

“Kahibaw ba mo, sa Central Visayas 2.56 million poor families, kahibaw mo pila sa Cebu…1.76 million. So ingon ana kadaghan ug kalisod sa Probinsya sa Sugbo,” she told the media.

Baricuatro is part of the Team Liberate Cebu led by dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who is also at odds with Garcia over several issues.

Baricuatro is the founder and executive director of Simple Share Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization (NGO) which focuses on fighting hunger and under nutrition in the most vulnerable populations in the country.

As part of the NGO which has been operating for almost 10 years, Baricuatro said this can be her asset in acquiring votes in the 2025 midterm polls.

“So, I have been around as far as the mountain barangay is concerned, but quietly lang ‘cause I don't want to be under the radar,” said Baricuatro. “That's one of elements of war, suprise the enemy. You know, ayaw kumpansa,” she added. —/ DGI (FREEMAN)