The Cebu Provincial Government brought a series of infrastructure projects and financial assistance programs to the Camotes Islands as Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the rollout of new public facilities and development initiatives in the municipalities of Poro and San Francisco.
During her two-day visit on Sunday and Monday, Baricuatro led groundbreaking ceremonies for community projects, turned over assistance to local government units and barangays, and joined local officials in activities aimed at strengthening public services in the island municipalities.
In Poro, one of the major projects launched was the construction of a P3.639-million People’s Hall in Barangay Eastern Poblacion.
The facility will replace the existing barangay hall, which local officials said has deteriorated after nearly four decades of use and sustained damage from previous earthquakes and typhoons.
Barangay Captain Cleo Barrientos Paranas thanked the provincial government for prioritizing the project despite the governor’s schedule.
“Sa panahon ni Gov. Pam, kabalo ko unsa siya ka-busy, pero nahuna-hunaan gihapon niya nga tagaan gyud ta aning People’s Hall,” Paranas said.
Paranas said the new facility will provide residents with a safer and more suitable venue for barangay services and activities.
Baricuatro also led the groundbreaking ceremony for a P4.6-million multi-purpose covered court in Sitio Matin-aw, Barangay Libertad, Poro.
The facility is expected to serve as a venue for sports activities, school events, community gatherings, and emergency response operations, including use as an evacuation center during disasters.
“Your dream will now become a reality in the next few months,” Baricuatro told residents during the ceremony.
Barangay Captain Eric Sancober said the project would improve disaster preparedness in the area, noting that residents currently travel to schools in the town proper when seeking temporary shelter during severe weather events.
The governor also launched the construction of a P1.675-million Day Care Center in Barangay Mabini, Poro, which is expected to provide young learners with a safer and more comfortable learning environment.
The project is targeted for completion within about two months and is intended to support early childhood education efforts in the municipality.
Parent Honey Grace Otadoy welcomed the construction of the new facility, saying it would provide better learning conditions for children compared with the existing structure.
“Dako kaayo ni og ikatabang, ilabi na sa akong anak kay safe na ug landong. Ang karaan man gud init kaayo,” Otadoy said.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Baricuatro joined the town’s flag-raising ceremony before turning over development assistance to the local government.
The provincial government provided P10 million for road concreting projects, which was formally received by Mayor Alfredo Arquillano.
The Capitol also distributed 1,000 solar lighting units to the San Francisco local government and released financial assistance to several barangays.
Barangay Himensulan received P250,000, Barangay San Isidro received P50,000, and Barangay Cabonga-an received P150,000 for community projects and social activities.
Arquillano thanked the provincial government for its continued support, saying cooperation between the Capitol and local governments remains important in improving public services and advancing development efforts in Camotes.
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
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