Baricuatro issues 12 EOs marking her 1st day as governor of Cebu

CEBU CITY – Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro marked her first day as the governor of Cebu Province with the signing of 12 executive orders (EOs) that aims at strengthening Cebu provincial hospitals, promoting transparency, and addressing healthcare needs, among others.

“I reflect on my first day as governor of Cebu, expressing my sense of responsibility and emotional connection to the people I now serve. I see familiar faces from the campaign, my supporters and you, the media and colleagues.  We are here today to fulfil our mandate to serve the people with integrity, accountability and inclusive governance,” Baricuatro said, in her inaugural message.

The governor emphasized their role of responsibility rather than power or decision-making.  With that, Baricuatro signed and issued 12 Executive Orders (EOs) to start her first day as “The Governor” of Cebu Province noting her 100-day focus on improving the healthcare services, employment and livelihood, education and a collaborative and people-centric governance.

Executive Order 1 calls for the urgent release of funds to improve and strengthen the 16 provincial hospitals’ healthcare response and capacity, while EO-2 is the reconstituting the Provincial Health Board for the term 2025-2028, EO-3 is the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI).

Baricuatro outlined her orders that would strengthen healthcare, freedom of information to promote transparency and accountability in public service; creating task forces ad the Cebu People’s Action Center to address issues related to programs, investments and promotions of the Province.

Meetings, appointments, presscon

Baricuatro also met with Vice-governor Glenn Soco and members of the legislative board, department heads and some local officials, youth groups and various civil society organizations signaling their support to the new administration.

“Our conversation revolves around the upcoming legislative session on July 7, where the governor will present plans and programs that require legislation. The session will also serve as a meeting point for the government and the board members and part of an orientation period that includes instruction on house rules, committee chairmanships, and other preparatory activities. It was a pleasant meeting and with the commitment to working together,” Vice-governor Soco told the media.

At the press conference, Baricuatro announced the appointment of former DOT-secretary, Ace Durano, as the new Provincial Administrator; Paul Uy as her Chief of Staff and Ruben Licera, as Provincial Public Information Officer.

“It’s a very crucial appointment. I’ll help her, it’s the role that she needs me to play especially with her priority agenda on healthcare. We have a very strong team,” Durano said, in a side interview.

Durano bared that the next 100 days are crucial.  The team has yet to finalize the healthcare priority appointment and the governor said to maintain the current department heads, collaborate with everyone inside the department and industries; schedule additional meetings in the next few days and to prioritize and cluster tasks.

Baricuatro’s inauguration began with the tour/inspection of the Capitol, meetings with various groups, a mass, press conference and ended with a concert amid the rains. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

Skytrax ranks MCIA as 7th among world’s most improved airports

LAPULAPU CITY -- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) ranked 7th among the World’s Most Improved Airports in the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards, putting MCIA in the company of global hubs highlighting the airport's efforts to enhance passenger experience, infrastructure and service excellence.

“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement. It also affirms our vision of positioning MCIA not just as a gateway, but as a world-class destination in itself,” Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation said, in his social media post.

The award is based on global passenger surveys evaluating 575 airports worldwide across 25 performance indicators, including service quality, terminal facilities, cleanliness, transport access, and retail offerings. The “Most Improved” category specifically recognizes airports that have demonstrated significant positive change over the past 12 months, Titonis shared.

Skytrax is the international gold standard for airport and airline excellence, known for its independent, passenger-driven reviews and global benchmarking. The award highlights MCIA’s growth as a world-class airport and shows Cebu’s growing importance on the global stage.

MCIA’s rise in the global rankings highlights major improvements at the airport that include a bigger terminal to serve more passengers; faster baggage handling; better transport access; and local flair with new shops that showcase Filipino products and culture and passenger-centric approach.

MCIA Authority General Manager Julius Neri Jr. attributes the recognition to the airport's strong commitment to putting customer experience at the forefront. These upgrades align with the airport’s broader mission to offer a seamless and uniquely Cebuano travel experience, combining world-class service with warm Filipino hospitality, he added.

This recognition comes on the heels of MCIA's earlier achievement as the Best Airport in Asia Pacific in the under five million passenger’s categories from the Airports Council International.  MCIA handles an average of 8 to 12 million passengers annually, solidifying its position as the second-busiest gateway in the Philippines, Neri said.

Titonis said that MCIA’s global recognition also casts a spotlight on Cebu’s broader ambition to become a premier destination for tourism, business, and investment. This milestone not only raises MCIA’s profile internationally but also reaffirms Cebu’s place as a critical hub driving national development and regional connectivity.

As MCIA pushes forward with major upgrades, its long-term goal is taking shape: to position itself as the Philippines’ premier Transfer and Transit Hub by linking international and domestic travelers across the country with greater ease and efficiency, Titonis stated. (Photos: MCIA-FB)

 

 

 

 

SM Seaside City calls for climate action—cycle, clean, conserve

CEBU CITY – The SM Seaside City Cebu called for communities in the Philippines to take action to champion climate change advocacy through its “Cycle, Clean, Conserve” initiatives by bringing together passionate individuals and organizations for two back-to-back events in June that echoed a powerful message — that caring for the Earth starts with each of us.

The month of June is annually celebrated as Environment Month, World Bicycle Day and World Oceans Day when people from all walks life and organizations celebrate, create, observe and engage themselves to clean the Earth, and SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls initiated the movement for a better and greener world.

SM Seaside City Cebu once again celebrated World Bicycle Day on June 6 and World Oceans Day on June 7 where nearly 500 bicycle riders and volunteers joined in the celebration with the theme, "Let’s unite towards an SM Waste-Free Future.”

SM Seaside City Cebu initiated the Pedal Power, a vibrant cycling event that championed sustainability, health, and eco-friendly transport every year on June 6 that features a wide, circular ground that’s ideal for cycling.

Riders completed five laps of a 1-kilometer loop, covering a full 5 kilometers. The event formed part of a nationwide initiative led by SM Cares, celebrating World Bicycle Day in over 20 SM malls across the country.

The cycling event embraced biking not just as a form of recreation, but as a real step toward climate action. By reducing reliance on motor vehicles, cycling helps cut down greenhouse gas emissions and lessens traffic congestion — making cities cleaner, quieter, and more livable, SM Cares media release reads.

June 7 of every year is another community engaging event where SM Seaside City Cebu honors the ocean.  This year, the Mall brought together 406 volunteers, including SM employees, personnel, security staff, and affiliates for a Coastal Cleanup Drive at Kinalumsan River, Barangay Mambaling in Cebu City, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7).

The cleanup yielded 165 sacks of collected waste, weighing a total of 817.75 kilograms.  Among the most commonly gathered items were food packaging, single-use plastics, styrofoam, and various unusual debris such as an air conditioning unit case and even a motorcycle helmet.

“Every pedal pushed and every piece of trash collected marked a step forward in building a future where sustainability is a shared responsibility,” SM Cares stated. (Photos: SM Seaside City Cebu/Rosemarie Rodriguez)

 

 

DOT, CCCI lead strategic positioning of Cebu as global MICE tourism market by 2030

CEBU CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT), the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and some international experts on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) led in the strategic positioning of Cebu as the global MICE tourism market with the hosting of the “Tourism Forum and Experiential Tour” on June 26, a cornerstone event of Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2025.

"This event represents a pivotal moment for Cebu's evolution into a premier MICE destination. We're not just showcasing our potential—we're demonstrating our readiness to compete on the global stage,” CCCI President, Jay Yuvallos said in his opening message.

The event gathered leading local and international tourism stakeholders, convention organizers, and business events professionals, hospitality industry leaders, government and business stakeholders, to strategically position Cebu as a world-class Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination by 2030, Yuvallos added.

The sessions were complemented with an experiential tour of the SMX Convention Center in Cebu, a current development at the South Road Properties, set to become one of the Philippines' largest convention facilities and SM Seaside Arena, a world-class 16,000-seat indoor arena, dramatically expanding Cebu’s event hosting capabilities.

An Exclusive “Hard Hat Tour”, an exclusive, behind-the-scenes exploration of Cebu's emerging MICE infrastructure, iconic destinations, and renowned Cebuano hospitality, such as the Mactan Expo Center in Lapulapu City.  It is designed to support large-scale exhibitions, trade shows, and corporate events, creating a powerful synergy between business and leisure travel.

Cebu’s role in national tourism development and local realities

“This forum and the Cebu Business Month reflect the best of what Cebu has to offer innovation, collaboration and a deep pride of place, Cebu has long stood as a symbol of what the Filipino can achieve with a strong work ethic, a love of culture and a quiet determination to rise above any challenge,” DOT Secretary, Christina Garcia Frasco, In her keynote address, highlights Cebu’s contributions to the economy and its role as a symbol of Filipino achievement. 

 

Frasco said that when DOT began crafting the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023 to 2028, there were fundamental questions, how can tourism work better for Filipinos? DOT listened intently to the stakeholders from across the country and emerged was a shared vision.

The people’s ideas and aspirations shaped every aspect of the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028— a tourism industry that is vibrant, competitive, inclusive and rooted in our culture for the benefit of our communities.

Frasco bared that the plan aims to create a vibrant, competitive, inclusive, and culturally rooted tourism industry with its focus on building a globally competitive Philippine tourism industry.   The Marcos administration's approach to tourism development is ambitious, grounded, and responsive to local realities.

 “Cebu is central to the effort to transform tourism into a pillar of inclusive and sustainable economic growth highlighting Cebu's role as a gateway to the Visayas and the world with the recent UN tourism events hosted in Cebu. Cebu will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum in 2026, reaffirming its leadership in hosting high-level gatherings,” Frasco bared.

Frasco said that the development of the MICE industry is crucial for generating livelihood and employment in the Philippines. Cebu's MICE infrastructure, such as the SMS Convention Center and the forthcoming Expo Center, is expanding.  The Philippine gastronomic potential study was launched, showcasing Cebu's role in Filipino cuisine.

Infrastructure development is a central pillar of the Marcos administration's development strategy and over four billion pesos have been invested in tourism road projects in Cebu since 2022, with plans for seven billion pesos more in 2026, she added.

Tourist convenience and mobility improvements are being addressed—such as the lack of clean restrooms along tourism routes with the construction of four tourist rest areas in Cebu.  The Cebu hop-on, hop-off bus tours are being launched to improve mobility and link key attractions.

Local government units are encouraged to integrate last-mile infrastructure into their tourism master plans; and the private sector is urged to invest in forward-thinking solutions to enhance Cebu's tourism offerings.

In terms of connectivity and air routes, Cebu has direct connections to major cities across the world, including Seoul, Tokyo, Dubai, and Bangkok. The Mactan Cebu International Airport has been awarded Asia's best airport and is expanding with a new parallel runway.

 “Cebu is gaining momentum as a cruise destination, with 127 cruise calls expected in 2025.  The Cruise Visa Waiver Program has issued over 4400 waivers to streamline arrivals for cruise guests,” Frasco shared.

Cebu's diving and education tourism are developing fast. Cebu is now a leading diving destination with premier sites like Malapascua, Moalboal, and Mactan, and a hyperbaric chamber is being installed to ensure diving safety at Malapascua.

Cebu is a preferred destination for English as a second language programs, wellness, and retirement tourism.  Demand from the Japanese and Korean markets for these tourism products is growing, Frasco added that Visa-free access from India and Taiwan has been opened, and the digital nomad visa has been launched.

Cultural and creative tourism is also being showcased at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.  The Philippine pavilion at the Expo has received over 400,000 visitors in two months with cultural programs supported to elevate heritage, arts, and craftsmanship.  The Filipino brand of service excellence is being trained in front liners and tourism workers.

“I call on the private sector in Cebu to invest in bold ideas and embrace innovation. I’m urging the private sector to deliver the kind of tourism experience that today's travelers expect and Cebu is being encouraged to lead in emerging sectors such as MICE, education, leisure, adventure, wellness, and gastronomy.  The potential for Cebu to lead the country and the world in tourism is a reality,” Frasco bared. (Photos: CCCI/FB)

 

 

 

 

DSWD inaugurates first-ever rehab center for girls in Central Visayas

CONSOLACION, Cebu-- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian inaugurated the first-ever Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) for girls on June 20 in Consolacion, Cebu.

“There has to be more of this regional rehabilitation for girls because 30 years or 40 years from now, one of the clients of this facility will be somebody in our country, and that is because there was an intentional action to change children's lives,” Gatchalian said, in his inspirational message at the event.

Gatchalian, with the Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns (CCFCJC) Vice Chairperson, Associate Justice Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig, and DSWD Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Elaine Fallarcuna and Cebu media toured and checked on the facility after the ribbon cutting ad blessings.

The RRYC is located in Sitio Baha-Baha, Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu and it is equipped with dormitories, therapy rooms, and activity areas to ensure that the environment meets the standards of gender-sensitive and trauma-informed care for girls in conflict with the law (CICLs).

“This facility is a work in progress, and we will ensure that it will be a haven for female children in conflict with the law that provides extra love and extra care to its residents to become productive and responsible members of the society,” DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Lucero said, with assurance that DSWD-7 continues to upgrade it to provide better services for female CICLs.

Gatchalian highlighted the long-term impact of establishing the RRCY for girls in Cebu, as this part of DSWD’s ongoing commitment to promoting restorative justice for children in conflict with the law (CICLs), giving more attention to the gender-sensitive nature of girls.

Outgoing governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Executive Director Tricia Claire Oco of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC); former Executive Director of the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), Father Eugenio Docoy Jr., SVD, and DSWD7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero joined Secretary Gachalian at the event. (Photos: DSWD7)

 

PhilHealth-7 pushes for “Z” Benefits access in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY – PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO-7) pushed for the implementation of the Catastrophic Care Access or “Z” benefit package in Central Visayas as an action item during the first-ever regional Z Benefit Summit on June 26, 2025, at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu with some 10 big hospitals in attendance.

 “At the heart of every policy, every system, and every decision is a human life,” said Dr. Kier Tamparong, Head of PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO-7) Accreditation & Quality Assurance Section, setting the tone for a day of purpose as the PRO led the Corporation’s Z Summit.

“Z” Benefit Package is a high-tier coverage for catastrophic and life-threatening health barriers categorized as “Z” such as cancer, open heart surgery, end-stage kidney disease, prosthesis & implants, and major treatment for children, Tamparong shared.

The summit gathered Level 3 hospitals and select Level 2 facilities across the region to revisit, assess, and move forward with the implementation of the Z Benefit Package to ensure contracted health care institutions offer state-of-the-art treatment to improve survival rates for catastrophic diseases. 

PhilHealth launched the Z Benefits in 2012 with the aim of providing comprehensive and quality care that meet current standards of practice for Filipinos affected by catastrophic illnesses, such as certain cancers and other severe, long-term conditions.

Gaps in Z Benefit access

PhilHealth Regional Vice President for Central Visayas Marjorie Cabrieto, in her welcome message emphasized the importance of active engagement during the summit to address gaps in Z Benefit access and strengthen partnership with health care facilities across the region. 

“We want to encourage, we want to invite, and we want to pursue the contracting of more health facilities for Z Benefits. We are actively working to expand contracting of hospitals, especially having the first provider in Negros Oriental,” Cabrieto said.

The Z Summit invited Silliman University Medical Center (SUMC) being a possible contracted facility in the near future, along with other target facilities including Cebu Velez General Hospital, Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, Chong Hua Hospital, Southwestern University Medical Center, VisayasMed Hospital, St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium & General Hospital, and Don Emilio Del Valle Memorial Hospital. A second leg of the summit is also eyed for further engagement, Cabrieto added.

 Among the highlights of the Z Summit was the presentation of on the ground experience from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), the first Z Benefit-contracted hospital in Central Visayas and one of the pioneering providers in the country.

VSMMC Regional Heart Center’s Focal Person, Dr. Jun Maximo Lasco II, shared how in 2014, VSMMC initially had no dedicated cardiac operating room, no trained cardiac staff, and no post-op infrastructure—but pushed forward anyway to answer people's call for health needs, along with PhilHealth and the Department of Health’s guidance.

“This kind of project is never a singular effort. Someone had to say yes to care that saves lives. We started from zero—and now, we’ve changed lives. That’s the power of Z Benefit,” Dr. Lasco said, reflecting on their journey.

Today, VSMMC has successfully operated on 87 patients under the Z Benefit for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), with a 100% success rate and zero mortality. They have since established a cardiac rehabilitation unit, its Regional Heart Center, Lasco added.

The summit closed with the recognition of five contracted hospitals in the region--VSMMC, Perpetual Succour Hospital, Cebu South Medical Center, University of Cebu Medical Center (UCMed), and Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center, for leading the provision of care through the Z Benefit.

“The Z Benefit Summit was not just a meeting of minds, but a testimony of the spirit of collaboration. It was to ensure that catastrophic illness will no longer be a hindrance for Filipinos, because with PhilHealth, the last letter ‘Z’ now stands for Zero Barriers,” Dr. Kier Tamparong stated. (Photos: PhilHealth/Google Images)