𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐒
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has introduced a series of key environmental policies in her first four months in office, signaling a firm commitment to protecting Cebu’s natural resources.
These measures—from reactivating policy bodies to halting questionable extractive activities—form the backbone of her strategy for sustainable development.
Here are five key environmental policies she has championed thus far:
𝟭) 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗢𝗙 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
On July 28, Governor Baricuatro ordered a 30-day suspension of all quarry operations approved by the provincial government. The move followed complaints against 10 companies and nine special disposal permit holders for alleged regulatory violations.
She formed a Special Review Committee to evaluate all quarry, sand and gravel, and special disposal permits issued by the Capitol.
Beyond checking compliance with environmental and safety standards, the committee proposed reforms such as streamlining the permit process, strengthening enforcement, and removing any perception of favoritism.
Its findings will be submitted to the reconstituted Cebu Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board, which will recommend appropriate actions.
𝟮) 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗
On July 31, Governor Baricuatro reconvened the Cebu Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) through Executive Order No. 39.
The board, mandated by the Philippine Mining Act, is composed of five members: the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as chair, the governor as vice chair, two mining sector representatives, and one civil society member.
It serves as the primary policy and regulatory body for small-scale mining, responsible for permit approval and monitoring of mining activities in the province.
𝟯) 𝗘𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘-𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗦
Governor Baricuatro also issued a memorandum directing PENRO to implement a local ordinance requiring quarry permit holders to plant one tree seedling for every cubic meter of extracted minerals. This must be done in their host and nearby communities.
The directive is based on Provincial Ordinance 2016-21. Compliance will be checked before permits are renewed.
Permittees must also donate healthy endemic or fruit-bearing seedlings to provincial nurseries and build adequate drainage systems within project sites.
The measure responds to recent flooding, soil erosion, and landslides triggered by consecutive typhoons, highlighting the need for stronger environmental safeguards.
𝟰) 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗠 𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗔𝗣
In the wake of what has been described as the worst flooding Cebu has experienced in years, Governor Baricuatro convened a high-level policy meeting with Capitol officials, the academe, urban planners, private sector leaders, and advocacy groups.
Discussions revisited Cebu’s long-term flood mitigation strategies. The outputs will form part of Governor Baricuatro’s briefing for her upcoming meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
Engr. Fortunato “Jun” Sanchez of Mega Cebu presented the revived 2017 Mega Cebu Master Plan, which recommends the construction of nine dams across Cebu—from Carcar City to Danao City—to address flooding and water scarcity comprehensively.
𝟱) 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥-𝗟𝗚𝗨 “𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗢 𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗨 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘”
Governor Baricuatro also signed Executive Order No. 74, creating the inter-LGU “Metro Cebu Flood Control and Drainage System Implementation Task Force.”
The body is chaired by Governor Baricuatro, with Vice Governor Glenn Soco as vice chair. Its membership includes Capitol department heads, the mayors of Metro Cebu local government units (LGUs), namely, Carcar City, San Fernando, City of Naga, Minglanilla, Talisay City, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Danao City—and the mayors of Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City; and the regional directors of relevant national agencies.
It is mandated to craft and implement the Metro Cebu Integrated Flood Control and Drainage System Master Plan. This includes hazard mapping, watershed management, engineering solutions, zoning policies, and climate adaptation measures.
It will also oversee all provincial flood mitigation projects and ensure alignment with national standards.
The governor said that amid stronger typhoons and climate-related risks, Metro Cebu must adopt “holistic, integrated, and sustainable flood mitigation measures that harmonize the efforts of national government agencies, LGUs, and community stakeholders.”
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