Latest news with #ProvincialBoard
GMA Network
24-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Disaster council mulls putting Antique under state of calamity
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) passed a resolution to declare the Province of Antique under a state of calamity following the ill impact of the southwest monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by two tropical cyclones. Three towns - Barbaza, Sebaste, and Culasi - have earlier declared a state of calamity. "By law, a province needs at least two towns to declare a state of calamity before it can be declared at the provincial level,' this was emphasized. Governor Paolo Javier led the PDRRMC meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at the PDRRM Office on Binirayan Hills, in the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista. The meeting was attended by PDRRMC members from different national and provincial agencies. "The council agreed to endorse PDRRMC Resolution No. 07, Series of 2025, which recommends that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) declare a province-wide state of calamity," a post on Province of Antique said. The report cited that passing the resolution would "allow the use of a portion of Antique's Quick Response Fund (QRF) for response, early recovery, and reconstruction operations." Acting Vice Governor Karmila Rose Dimamay said that the Provincial Board will schedule a special session on Friday, July 25, 2025, following the request of the governor. Further, it was disclosed that Antique's QRF amounts to P35,068,747, and that "only a portion of it will be used in anticipation of possible future calamities as the typhoon season continues." Based on data presented by the PDRRMC during the meeting, at least "22,729 families, or 73,706 individuals, from 15 towns were affected by Tropical Storm Crising. So far, no deaths have been recorded, but at least four people are still missing." The presentation also enumerated other damages such as: "Over P610 million worth of lifeline infrastructure like bridges, roads, flood control systems, seawalls, hospitals, and schools were damaged; 190 houses were damaged, 51 of which were destroyed completely." Furthermore, it was cited that "heavy rains and flooding also caused P15.36 million in damages to rice, corn, livestock, poultry, aquaculture, marine culture, and capture fisheries, among others," and that data on damages may still go up with the ongoing assessments. The Department of Public Works and Highways has yet to "complete its evaluation of the damage to the Bacong River dike in Culasi," the report added.
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Cebu's ‘Pasigarbo, Suroy Suroy 2025' cannot be terminated yet
Funds for district and provincial hospitals run by the Cebu Provincial Government will be sourced from the budget allocation of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and Suroy Suroy Sugbo programs of the previous administration. However, Governor Pamela Baricuatro pointed out she cannot terminate yet the staging of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and Suroy Suroy Sugbo in 2025 as funds have 'already been appropriated" and that the "programs are even covered by an ordinance." 'We will cut the cost for the Pasigarbo and Suroy Suroy and we will redesign it, and realign the funds into the healthcare program,' Baricuatro said. "Realignment of the funds for healthcare programs represents a stark difference in priority as Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said that the move is part of her legislative agenda of putting first the delivery of important services over grand display and wasteful spending,' said a post on Cebu Province, an official social media page of the Cebu Provincial Government. The post further said that Baricuatro is hopeful the Provincial Board would be willing to work with her to 'amend or repeal the ordinance altogether.' 'Next year, it's going to be our budget, so, of course, we will proceed with our plan nga dili na ipadayon ang Pasigarbo ug Suroy Suroy Sugbo,' the governor added. It was learned that the previous administration's Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is a festival of festivals staged in August during the Province's founding anniversary celebration, while Suroy Suroy Sugbo is a tourism initiative. "Garbo" in Cebuano means pride, while "suroy' means taking a leisurely trip. (Courtesy: Capitol PIO/Cebu Province; Sugbo News)
