Governor Pamela Baricuatro of Cebu has officially established the Cebu People's Action Center (CPAC) through an executive order, framing it as a vital volunteer-driven initiative to improve public service delivery. This move comes just days after the Provincial Board approved a committee report removing the center's proposed budget.
Executive Order Creates New Volunteer Hub
Governor Baricuatro announced the approval of CPAC in a Facebook post on Thursday, December 18, 2025. She described the center as a mechanism to act, coordinate, and respond directly to community needs. The governor emphasized CPAC's critical role during past emergencies, specifically citing its response to a 6.9-magnitude earthquake and Typhoon Tino. According to her, volunteers have been involved in rescue and relief operations, cooking and distributing food in evacuation centers, and reaching remote barangays that are difficult to access.
Provincial Board Cuts Funding, Sparking Concern
This executive action follows a contentious decision by the Provincial Board (PB). During its regular session on Monday, December 15, the PB approved the report from the Committee on Budget and Appropriations that stripped the budget allocation for CPAC. The committee's findings revealed that CPAC had not been formally organized as an office under the Provincial Government of Cebu. Based on budget hearings, the committee concluded the center merely provided additional manpower for other provincial departments needing extra staff.
The report further noted that CPAC lacked official "Plantilla positions" and was composed solely of Job Order (JO) workers and volunteers. This structure formed the basis for the budget removal.
Governor Warns of Impact on Emergency Response
Governor Baricuatro expressed deep concern over the Provincial Board's decision. She argued that cutting the funds would hinder the center's ability to provide immediate assistance to Cebuanos, particularly the most vulnerable. She warned that without sufficient resources, reaching families and barangays in need would become significantly more difficult.
To contextualize the financial debate, the governor compared the CPAC budget to past provincial allocations. She pointed out that the province had previously approved budgets reaching up to 25 billion pesos, which included funding for major events like the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo festival.
The establishment of CPAC via executive order sets the stage for an ongoing fiscal and administrative dispute between the governor's office and the Provincial Board, with the operational capacity of the new volunteer center hanging in the balance.
