Healthcare, public services to be prioritized: Pam scraps Pasigarbo, Suroy-suroy

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro is determined to discontinue outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s hallmark tourism programs—Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and Suroy-Suroy Sugbo—citing major logistical and financial challenges.

Speaking at a media forum on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Baricuatro explained that the two initiatives spearheaded by her predecessor have posed major logistical and financial challenges to the towns and component cities.

“Kana gud dili nako ipadayon. I've been vocal about it from day 1," Baricuatro said.

“Gasto kaayo, kaning Pasigarbo. Imagine, P255 million pesos nu," she added.

Baricuatro said her administration will prioritize practical, needs-based public service over what she described as costly cultural displays. She expressed concern over the inequity of Pasigarbo’s structure, where under-resourced municipalities competed with larger, better-funded cities.

"And why do you let third class municipalities compete with component cities? How can they compete in terms of budget and logistically it's improbable jud," she said.

Launched in 2008, Pasigarbo sa Sugbo was a festival-style showcase of local culture through dance and pageantry.

While celebrated by many for promoting Cebuano identity, Baricuatro noted that the program often came at a steep cost—both financially and in terms of safety.

“Luoy kaayo during the last Pasigarbo, daghan kaayo na disgrasya going to the city back and forth,” she added.

Likewise, she is shelving Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, a tourism caravan launched in 2004 that promoted inter-town travel through guided tours and VIP visits. Instead, Baricuatro envisions a more service-oriented approach to provincial outreach.

“Mao nay akong gusto mag suroy-suroy, dili ako,” she remarked.

“If naa man gani mag suroy-suroy sa Probinsiya sa Sugbo, it won't be me, it would be mobile clinics and mobile kitchens nga mopakaon sa katawhan ug mohatag og healthcare services sa katawhan,” she added.

Baricuatro said her top priority is addressing Cebu’s healthcare gaps by providing hospitals with medicines, hiring more doctors, and upgrading facilities.

“First step is the healthcare problem sa Cebu, butangan og tambal ang hospital, doctors, hospital equipment,” she said.

She also announced plans to procure sea ambulances for the island groups of Bantayan and Camotes, where emergency medical access remains limited.

“Akong priority is healthcare jud nu kay mao mana atong gipanaad sa katawhan,” Baricuatro emphasized.

Her team is currently reviewing the province’s health budget to see if unspent funds can be realigned for urgent medical needs. Among her key projects is the upgrading of Danao Hospital to a level 3 facility and the improvement of Eversley Hospital in Mandaue. These hospitals, she said, could serve as a buffer—or "sagang"—to ease the patient load at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

She also mentioned exploring similar upgrades in the towns of Balamban, Carcar, Bogo, and Danao.

Despite her decision to end Pasigarbo and Suroy-Suroy, Baricuatro said she remains open to launching new cultural initiatives—especially those that uplift the LGBT community.

“Wala nay Pasigarbo but we have to look at another event that would showcase another talent on LGBT communities,” she said.

She hinted at organizing a midyear cultural celebration, spaced between Sinulog in January and Christmas in December, to give room for fresh creative expressions.

“We'll ask for the best brains, creative brains nga kung unsay angay natong ibutang ana and maybe the province can help us on this one,” she added.

In a lighter moment, Baricuatro said she would be happy to join next year’s Sinulog Festival if invited by Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr.

“Yes, I’m willing to dance in Sinulog. If Mayor Archival invites me, I’ll dance. I could even wear a festival queen costume, much better pa,” she quipped.

The comment drew comparisons with outgoing Governor Garcia, who famously danced during Sinulog festivities as a display of both devotion and pageantry.

Baricuatro’s May 12 election victory ends Garcia’s decades-long political dominance in Cebu. As she takes the helm at the Capitol by noon of June 30, Baricuatro vowed a significant shift in priorities under her administration. — (FREEMAN)