Capitol allocates P913M budget for “Kumbati Cebu”, post-earthquake recovery program

CEBU—The Provincial Government allocated at least P913M for its post-earthquake recovery and rehabilitation efforts for Northern Cebu dubbed as “Kumbati Cebu Program” with ₱542 million coming from the unutilized trust fund for disaster from 2020 to 2025 while the ₱371 million was allotted for this year’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (PDRRMF), that was approved on October 22 during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Meeting.

Cebu governor Pam Baricuatro urged the PDDRMO to prioritize the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads and bridges in areas where the September 30 earthquake hit the most, especially the Tabogon and Borbon towns. Under the Cebu Kumbati investment plan, ₱238 million will be used to restore and rehabilitate roads and bridges.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said that Capitol is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to identify and prioritize infrastructure in need of repair or reconstruction.

 “Mao nay nakaayo sa atong administration karon. Kay maayo man ang atong coordination sa ubang agencies, ma-prioritize ang unsa gyuy unahon para mabalik ang services,” Empaces said. (This is the beauty of this administration, there is a closer coordination with other government agencies for its rehab and rebuilding efforts.)

Some P29M was for agricultural recovery efforts with ₱15M earmarked to support livestock, poultry production and farm housing rehabilitation.  In addition to the rehabilitation fund, Capitol also received ₱134M in cash donations, including ₱50M from the Office of the President (OP), of which ₱111M was used for relief operations, while the remaining ₱23 million will fund continuing rehabilitation efforts.

The PDRRMO has lined up projects to strengthen the entire province’s disaster mitigation, prevention, preparedness, and emergency response that include the P49M for food, non-food supplies and hygiene Kits.

Mobile Kitchen with P51M; rescue supplies, gears and drones with P14M; PDRRMO command center equipment and furnishing – ₱14 million; Sea ambulance – ₱50 million; Mobile clinics, ambulances, and emergency vehicles – ₱64.2 million.

Other budgets include fire extinguishers and hoses, rescue boats, and water supply equipment – ₱4.3 million; Rehabilitation of buildings and facilities at the Capitol compound – ₱6 million; and Environmental supplies and other disaster-related activities – ₱1.3 million.

According to Empaces, the Provincial Rehabilitation and Recovery Council (PRRC), serves as the central coordinating and policy body of the Kumbati Cebu framework, chaired by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev-7) as secretariat. The council already approved Kumbati Cebu’s rebuilding programs and projects.

The council also includes Capitol department heads, key national agencies such as DPWH, DSWD, DOH, DTI, and OCD, along with representatives from the private sector to ensure transparent and responsive rehabilitation efforts. (Photos: Capitol PIO)