Pam to Capitol-run hospitals: Hire doctors, nurses asap

Local

NO medicine shortage. No understaffed hospitals.

This was the clear directive of Cebu Gov. Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro as she ordered an urgent review of all 16 Capitol-run hospitals and directed the immediate hiring of doctors and nurses.

The governor issued the marching orders during her inauguration on Tuesday night, July 1, at the Capitol Social Hall, where she outlined her administration’s priorities focused on healthcare, job creation, transparency, and dignity in public service.

Baricuatro, who reaffirmed her mandate with a ceremonial oath before Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Judge Anna Marie Militante, was joined by her partner Brian To and daughter Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan.

She warned against neglecting the needs of public hospitals and emphasized the urgency of filling vacant medical posts to improve frontline services.

Her team has also begun coordinating with medical groups and is exploring scholarship programs to train future healthcare workers.

Baricuatro added that mobile clinics and mobile kitchens will begin serving far-flung barangays on July 7.

Baricuatro noted the recent opening of a rural health unit in Compostela as a model for expanding basic medical access in the countryside.

“Walay pamilya nga pasagdan tungod lang kay layo sila sa siyudad," she said.

Baricuatro said her administration will overhaul investor relations by revising the province’s Investments and Incentives Code and reviving the Cebu Investment and Promotions Advisory Council.

She committed to streamlining business processes, fully digitalizing government transactions, and upholding a zero-tolerance policy on corruption.

She described honest governance and efficient service delivery as non-negotiable standards under her term.

As part of her cost-cutting approach, Baricuatro confirmed that extravagant Capitol-sponsored events such as Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and Suroy-Suroy Sugbo will be discontinued.

While she acknowledged the value of culture, she said the administration must prioritize essential services over unnecessary spectacle.

The governor said she would recalibrate programs such as Sugbo Kahanas and Sugbo Negosyo, shifting their focus to provide more meaningful livelihood and training.

She also committed to upskilling the youth in information technology and business process management, alongside vocational and healthcare-related fields.

She stressed the importance of inclusivity in government, asserting that competence, not political color, will guide her administration’s appointments and priorities.

She introduced the “People’s Governor” weekly audience initiative, a program that will allow ordinary citizens to directly raise concerns at the Capitol.

Baricuatro also committed to completing stalled infrastructure projects like the Metro Cebu Expressway in partnership with local governments and the Department of Public Works and Highways, aligning efforts with the Mega Cebu W-A-V-E-S vision for 2050.

Earlier that day, she opened an access road connecting Cebu IT Park and Banilad Road to ease traffic congestion and correct inefficiencies caused by restricted access in previous years.

The governor signed an executive order institutionalizing a localized Freedom of Information (FOI) policy and called on the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass legislation ensuring transparency throughout the province.

“Discretion plus negotiation equals corruption. Transparency must be our standard," she said.

Baricuatro’s inauguration drew attendance from several mayors and vice mayors across Cebu, members of the Provincial Board, and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

Although many in the audience were aligned with One Cebu Party, which previously dominated the Capitol, Baricuatro made clear that her leadership is open to all.

She concluded her speech by thanking the people of Cebu for their trust and vowed to fulfill the mandate they gave her, saying “I will not fail you! Dili tamo pakyason!"(MyTVCebu)