Soco to Baricuatro: Coordinate when travelling abroad

Local

CEBU Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco has raised concern over the need for advance coordination whenever Gov. Pamela Baricuatro travels abroad, following her recent short personal trip to Japan earlier this month.

Soco formally wrote Baricuatro and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu Provincial Office, stressing the importance of prior notice for overseas travel to ensure continuity of public service and avoid gaps in leadership.

In his letter, Soco said his office should be informed ahead of any official or personal foreign travel to allow proper coordination of provincial operations.

“Therefore, it is necessary that, moving forward, my office be furnished with timely notice of any such travels,” Soco said.

“This will enable me to effectively discharge my duties and uphold the integrity of provincial governance,” he added.

He also noted that Baricuatro’s travel to Japan from April 4 to April 8, as well as previous foreign trips, were not formally relayed to his office.

Soco cited legal provisions that designate the vice governor as acting governor whenever the governor is outside the country, emphasizing the need for timely communication to ensure uninterrupted governance.

He expressed confidence that the governor’s office would cooperate moving forward, highlighting the importance of coordination on matters of protocol.

DILG Cebu earlier confirmed the leadership arrangement during Baricuatro’s Japan trip.

In a letter dated April 6, Sastrillo confirmed the governor’s approved travel schedule and the corresponding succession arrangement.

The DILG said Soco served as acting governor during the period, while Sixth District Board Member Larenz Lagon acted as vice governor to maintain continuity of provincial leadership.

Earlier, Baricuatro addressed questions over the trip, which coincided with a magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on April 6 while she was abroad.

She said the proper procedures for foreign travel clearance were followed, and coordination was made with the DILG, which she said oversees protocol for such arrangements.

"I did the right thing, everything was legal... It is supposed to be the DILG to inform the Office of the Vice Governor, it is not my position to tell him nga ikaw na ang governor," she said.

"Ang nahitabo lang gud wala diay kahibalo ang provincial director nga naa na diay akoang authority to travel. Wala siya na-inform sa iyahang secretary... No harm has been done," Baricuatro said, adding that she also needed to "unwind" as she has been away from her family due to work reasons.(MyTVCebu)