The Cebu Provincial Government has significantly broadened its post-disaster rehabilitation program to address the extensive damage left by typhoon Tino and typhoon Uwan. This move comes after these powerful storms triggered widespread flooding, destructive landslides, and severe infrastructure damage across the province.
A Unified Strategy for Recovery
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Governor Pamela Baricuatro took decisive action by signing Executive Order (EO) 72. This order officially expands the mandate of the existing "Kumbati Cebu" Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Framework. The framework was originally created to address the aftermath of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30. The Provincial Board formally noted this executive order during its regular session on Monday, November 17.
The integration of typhoon-related interventions enables the Kumbati Cebu Task Force and its cluster system to consolidate all available resources. This unified approach ensures harmonized planning and a coordinated implementation of all recovery efforts, preventing duplication and maximizing efficiency.
Comprehensive Cluster Activities
Under the newly expanded framework, all existing thematic clusters are now directed to incorporate typhoon-related rehabilitation into their core programs. These clusters cover critical areas such as:
- Infrastructure
- Health services
- Social services
- Environment
- Economic recovery
The specific rehabilitation activities mandated include the urgent restoration of damaged roads, bridges, and schools. The plan also covers reactivating health services, restoring lost livelihoods, clearing dangerous debris, and stabilizing slopes to prevent further landslides. Additional priorities are providing business continuity support, restoring lifeline utilities, and managing evacuation centers for displaced residents.
Reorganized Leadership and Local Integration
EO 72 also involves a reorganization of the cluster structure to reflect these new, critical responsibilities. Key provincial offices, including the Provincial Engineering Office, Provincial Health Office, and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, will serve as cluster leads. They will be supported by national government agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs).
The task force will also receive assistance from private sector representatives lawyer Aristotle Batuhan and Kim Burden Gothong.
Furthermore, all local chief executives have been ordered to integrate these typhoon recovery programs into their own local rehabilitation plans. These local plans must align with the overarching Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Provincial Engineering Office will provide technical assistance to LGUs as they revise their strategies.
The executive order also mandates the provincial government to mobilize local, national, and even international resources to fund the massive typhoon recovery efforts. All involved agencies and clusters are required to submit periodic and final reports on their rehabilitation activities directly to the Office of the Governor.
