Cebu gov slams CPAC defunding

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro is calling on her constituents to lobby members of the Provincial Board following a move to eliminate the budget for the Cebu People’s Action Center (CPAC), a flagship program of her administration.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Baricuatro warned that cutting the proposed P14 million budget for the center would cripple the province’s ability to respond to emergencies. The governor defended the center as a vital public complaints desk and emergency response body.

“Service to the people is not optional. It is our mandate,” Baricuatro said. “Without proper mobilization and essential resources, reaching every barangay, every family in need, becomes a challenge.”

The Provincial Board’s Committee on Budget and Appropriations, led by Board Member Celestino Martinez III, reportedly voted to defund the program for 2026. The committee cited concerns over the center’s lack of formal organization and potential audit risks as reasons for the cut.