Cebu Governor Launches Provincial Task Force to Strengthen Marine and Agri-Food Safety
In a significant move to protect public health and bolster consumer confidence, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has officially signed Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2026. This order establishes the Provincial Task Force on Marine and Agri-Food Safety (PTF-MAFS), a dedicated body aimed at tightening controls on food-related health risks across the province.
Mandate and Coordination for Rapid Response
The newly formed task force is mandated to coordinate rapid responses to food-borne illnesses and contamination events involving agricultural and marine products. Chaired by Governor Baricuatro herself, the body will oversee critical functions including:
- Inspections at local markets and ports to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Issuing public consumption advisories to inform residents about potential risks.
- Harmonizing provincial protocols for enforcement and reporting.
Provincial Administrator Joseph Felix “Ace” Durano has been designated as the vice-chairperson, ensuring strong leadership. The task force members include heads of key provincial offices:
- Health
- Agriculture
- Veterinary
- Environment
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Planning
- Legal
- Budget
Centralized Communication and Support from Local Governments
Sugbo News will serve as the task force’s secretariat, handling centralized risk communication. According to the executive order, it will act as the central hub for communications, consolidating and disseminating official advisories and risk communications as authorized by the chairperson. Additionally, it will maintain centralized records of inspection summaries and incident reports, promoting transparency and efficiency.
The order emphasizes the provincial government’s policy to protect public health, strengthen consumer protection, support livelihoods in agriculture and fisheries, and promote market confidence. Component cities and municipalities in Cebu are enjoined to support the task force by aligning local enforcement, reporting, and public advisories with the harmonized provincial protocols.
Immediate Effect and Building on Previous Initiatives
Executive Order 1 takes effect immediately upon signing and after the required publication or posting. This initiative builds on Executive Order 86, Series of 2025, which institutionalized the conservation, protection, and sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries in Cebu.
EO 86 created the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Conservation and Development Council (PAFCDC), tasked with formulating and recommending provincial policies, plans, and programs for conservation and sustainable development. It promotes climate-resilient, environmentally sound, and science-based agricultural and fisheries practices, while supporting the protection of agricultural lands, fish sanctuaries, marine protected areas, and other critical habitats. The council also works to strengthen market access, post-harvest facilities, and agri-fishery enterprises, laying a foundation for the new task force’s efforts.
