As Pam prepares to head Capitol, Gwen forms transition team

Local

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has formed a transition team to ensure an orderly turnover of the provincial government following the 2025 elections.

Through Executive Order No. 16, Series of 2025, Garcia designated herself as chairperson of the Local Governance Transition Team (LGTT), with outgoing Vice Governor Hilario Davide III as vice chairperson.

The team includes all department heads of the provincial government, along with Dr. Jesus Robel Sastrillo, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu Provincial Director; Atty. Pulchra Marie Acevedo, Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; and Mark Anthony Ynoc, President of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Nerces Bispo and June Ilyn Terado from the provincial planning office will serve as the LGTT secretariat.

Garcia issued the order in line with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-016, which outlines the responsibilities of local government units in preparing for a smooth transition and ensuring continuity in public service.

The LGTT will conduct a full inventory of provincial government properties.

This includes immovable properties such as land, buildings, and infrastructure, as well as movable properties like vehicles, office equipment, and supplies.

The team will also gather, secure, and preserve official documents and records of government transactions.

These include the 2024 Governance Assessment Report, Commission on Audit (COA) reports, contracts, development and investment plans, executive and legislative agendas, staffing patterns, ordinances, resolutions, and other administrative documents.

In addition, the team will prepare a list of accountabilities and ensure their proper turnover using prescribed forms. For re-elected officials, the team will update these lists accordingly.

The LGTT will also organize a formal turnover ceremony on June 30, which will include a briefing on the outgoing administration’s performance and key challenges.

After the turnover, the team must submit a Final Transition Report (FTR) to the DILG through the Bureau of Local Government Supervision. This report will detail the activities undertaken, challenges encountered, and recommendations for future transitions.

Garcia also directed all provincial offices and departments to provide full cooperation and support to the LGTT in carrying out its duties.

The executive order follows the earlier move of Governor-elect Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro, who initiated her transition process on May 19 by submitting a formal letter to the DILG Cebu Provincial Office.

In her letter to Director Sastrillo, Baricuatro requested the agency’s assistance in coordinating the turnover from Garcia’s administration.

She also informed the provincial office that she had

already sent a similar request to DILG Regional Director Leocadio Trovela.

Baricuatro appointed Atty. Edmund Lao to head her transition team. Lao previously served as a three-term councilor of Danao City and a board director of the Philippine Councilors League – Cebu Provincial Federation.

Other members of Baricuatro’s team include Paulo Uy for IT and Digital, Ruben Licera for Media and Tourism, Aldwin Empaces for Administration, Atty. Rubie Virtucio for Legal and Legislation, Mayor Titing Esgana for Budget and Audit, and Ferliza Contratista for HR and Communications.

Baricuatro’s team also submitted a formal communication to the Police Regional Office Central Visayas as part of their efforts to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Her camp emphasized that the transition team members were selected based on experience and qualifications to help realize a vision of a “new Cebu.”(MyTVCebu)