Baricuatro gets transition process going

Local

GOVERNOR-ELECT Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro has formally initiated the transition process in preparation for her assumption of the gubernatorial seat with her team submitting a transition letter to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu Provincial Office on Monday, May 19.

In the letter addressed to DILG Cebu Provincial Director Dr. Robel T. Sastrillo Jr., Baricuatro asked for the agency’s assistance to coordinate the orderly turnover from the administration of outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

In the letter, Baricuatro informed DILG Cebu Provincial Director Robel T. Sastrillo Jr. that she had earlier written to Regional Director Leocadio T. Trovela on the same matter.

She said that a transition team, headed by Atty. Edmund T. Lao, had been formed to coordinate with the DILG and the outgoing administration.

The request is in line with Memorandum Circular 2025-016, which mandates DILG provincial offices to directly facilitate transitions and ensure continuity in public service.

In an official statement released by her camp, Baricuatro conveyed her gratitude to the more than 1.1 million Cebuanos who voted for her.

They described the election outcome as a strong and clear expression of the people’s will, or a call for change and genuine progress in Cebu.

The statement highlighted that Baricuatro did not rely on traditional political machinery during her campaign.

They also said they had no congressional support, only one mayor backing her, and no prominent officials behind her, except for former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Her camp emphasized that her sole accountability lies with the people of the Province of Cebu.

It also underscored that the members of Baricuatro’s transition team were chosen based on their experience and qualifications, rather than political ties.

This selection, her camp said, was meant to support the vision of building a “new Cebu.”

Heading the transition team is Atty. Edmund Lao, a three-term councilor of Danao City and former Board Director of the Philippine Councilors League – Cebu Provincial Federation.

Other key members include Paulo Uy (Vice Head – IT and Digital), Ruben Licera (Spokesperson – Media, Info, and Tourism), Aldwin Empaces (Administration), Atty. Rubie Virtucio (Legal and Legislation), Mayor Titing Esgana (Budget and Audit), and Ferliza Contratista (HR and Communications).

“Ang hangyo ni Gov Pam? Tabangan siya. Ubanan siya. Kay kamo ang Sugbo ug kamo pud ang gahum nga nagpaluyo sa iyang pagserbisyo isip Gobernador,” the statement added.

After submitting the transition letter to the DILG Cebu office, Lao also forwarded a formal communication to the Police Regional Office Central Visayas, signaling the camp’s proactive effort to prepare for the change in leadership.

As of this writing, Garcia’s administration has yet to issue a statement regarding the transition.(MyTVCebu)