Cebu Governor Baricuatro Issues Sharp Ultimatum to Provincial Board Over Critical Delays
In a dramatic shift from her usual professional demeanor, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has publicly slammed the Provincial Board for what she describes as unacceptable delays in addressing urgent local matters. During a press conference held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the Governor declared, "There is a time to be a nice person and there’s a time to say enough is enough," signaling a deepening rift with Vice Governor Glenn Soco and the Board.
Three Major Roadblocks Identified by the Governor
Governor Baricuatro pinpointed three specific projects that have been stalled due to inaction from the Provincial Board:
- The 93-1 Land Swap: A decades-old agreement with Cebu City that would grant ownership rights to nearly 5,000 families living on disputed land.
- CBRT Stance: The province's official position on the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project remains unresolved.
- Legislative Guidelines: New rules for the Legislative Assistance Fund (LAF) have yet to be established, hindering local governance.
The Urgent Crisis of the 93-1 Land Swap
The most pressing issue is the 93-1 land swap, a dispute originating in 1993. While Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has been authorized to sign the deal, the Provincial Board has reportedly delayed action for three months. Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces clarified that all parties are awaiting the Board's authorization for the Governor to proceed, allowing both cities to finalize the agreement.
Even Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña recently visited the Capitol to urge the Board to clarify terms and advance the process. For the 5,000 families involved, this is not merely political—it is about "security of tenure," ensuring their legal right to remain in their homes without eviction threats. The Baricuatro and Archival administrations revived this deal to conclude a struggle spanning over 30 years.
Although the Provincial Legal Office has formed a task force to re-evaluate property values, Governor Baricuatro insists that the waiting period must end. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Board heeds her ultimatum or if the political divide in Cebu's leadership continues to widen, potentially impacting thousands of residents and critical infrastructure projects.
