OUTGOING Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has ordered the creation of trust funds for several provincial government programs—just weeks before leaving office—sparking sharp criticism from her successor, Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro.
In a report of Cebu Daily News (CDN), Garcia signed Memorandum No. 36-2025 directing the Provincial Treasurer to set up trust funds for at least 15 Capitol initiatives, including her flagship tourism campaign, Suroy Suroy Sugbo.
This move comes despite Baricuatro’s earlier declaration that she intends to discontinue programs like Suroy Suroy Sugbo and Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, citing their high costs and limited impact on basic services.
Garcia’s order invokes Section 309(b) of the Local Government Code of 1991 and aligns with Commission on Audit Circular 92-382, which allows local governments to earmark funds exclusively for specific purposes.
However, Baricuatro condemned the move, describing it as a “last-minute manipulation” of public funds.
“This act of sabotage undermines the trust placed in us by the people of Cebu and threatens the fiscal integrity of our province,” she said in a June 17 statement.
Baricuatro, who unseated Garcia in the May 2025 elections, emphasized that such actions compromise a smooth transition and reflect an “abuse of power.”