Cebu is set to receive additional government support for essential services and community projects, with fresh funding earmarked for health, food security, agriculture, energy and infrastructure initiatives across the province and Cebu City.
The latest assistance totals P410 million, with P265 million allocated to Cebu province and P145 million going to Cebu City through Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs). Executive Secretary Ralph Recto turned over the province’s allocation to Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro during his visit to Cordova on Aug. 13.
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Funding to Support Health, Food and Infrastructure
Baricuatro said Cebu province plans to channel its new allocation toward several priority areas, including health services, energy, agriculture, farm-to-market roads and food security.
“It is going to be on health, energy, farm-to-market roads and food security,” Baricuatro told reporters.
The new funding comes on top of existing Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) resources for Cebu local governments. Cebu province has P720 million in LGSF funds, with P360 million intended for the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program and another P360 million designated for infrastructure projects.
The rice initiative is expected to reach about 120,000 families, while the infrastructure component will cover farm-to-market roads, local road concreting, water supply and sanitation facilities, and multipurpose buildings.
Cebu City, meanwhile, has received P300 million in LGSF funding. Of this amount, P150 million will support the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program for about 50,000 families, while another P150 million will go toward infrastructure projects.
Cordova has also been allocated P25 million through the LGSF. P5 million will be used for the rice program, while P20 million will support improvements to the multipurpose building in Barangay Poblacion.
During Recto’s Cordova visit, the government also distributed 10 kilos of rice each to more than 3,100 residents from selected sectors, including fisherfolk, single parents, senior citizens and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Organizers expect the distribution to take place every other month.
Education Assistance Reaches Cebu Barangays
Beyond food and infrastructure, the government is also expanding assistance at the barangay level through the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program (BBMP), which Recto helped roll out in Cebu province.
Under the program, Cebu province will receive P213.2 million covering its 1,066 barangay, with each barangay receiving P200,000. Cebu City will receive P16 million for its 80 barangay, while Mandaue City will get P5.4 million for 27 barangay and Lapu-Lapu City will receive P6 million for 30 barangay.
The BBMP provides P200,000 to every barangay through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund of the Office of the President. Half of each barangay allocation will be dedicated to education assistance, allowing five incoming fourth-year college students to receive P20,000 each through the Bagong Pilipinas Scholarship Program.
Recto emphasized that government support should translate into lasting improvements in household income, food access and employment.
“Cebu is one of the most important provinces in the country. Malaki ang ambag nito sa national growth ng Pilipinas,” Recto said.
He also recalled the disasters that recently affected Cebu and other areas, adding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to return to the region in the coming weeks to assist communities affected by recent calamities.
For Cebuanos, the funding could mean more accessible food assistance, improved roads and basic facilities, as well as additional opportunities for students and families. More broadly, directing resources toward Cebu’s communities and infrastructure can help strengthen livelihoods and support the province’s contribution to the Philippine economy.
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