Cebu Provincial Government Urged to Prioritize Disaster Recovery in 2026 Budget

The Cebu Provincial Government is being urged to prioritize funding for recovery and rehabilitation efforts as discussions on the 2026 budget continue. This call was made by Board Member Celestino Martinez in response to the series of calamities that have recently affected the province.

During a regular session, Martinez delivered a privilege speech emphasizing the importance of allocating adequate resources to rebuild areas severely impacted by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Northern Cebu, as well as the aftermath of Typhoon Tino, which left over 100 casualties due to severe flooding.

"As we discuss and plan for the coming year, I humbly urge this August body to use our resources wisely. Let us allocate the necessary funds for sound, evidence-based urban planning—a roadmap to guide the future development of Cebu," Martinez stated on November 25, 2025.

He further stressed that budget allocations should directly address the province’s pressing needs. Early deliberations indicate significant funding has been earmarked for tourism development. However, Martinez cautioned against prioritizing tourism-related expenditures at this time, arguing that rehabilitation efforts should take precedence.

"Right now, the priority should be rehabilitation and aiding those affected by the earthquake and floods. Some board members have suggested that while tourism should not be completely neglected, we should not focus heavily on it before repairing critical infrastructure and tourism sites," Martinez explained.

Budget proposals reveal an allocation of approximately PHP 101 million for tourism initiatives, with PHP 73.5 million set aside for international travel and PHP 28 million for the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo program. Martinez questioned the timing and necessity of extensive travel expenses amid urgent recovery needs.

"This is one of the largest budget items, largely because of foreign and local travels. It seems imprudent to spend heavily on travels and events when our areas still suffer substantial damage. We should prioritize physical repairs first before promoting Cebu abroad," he remarked.

Highlighting the importance of self-reliance, Martinez underscored the need to fund social and health services to support provincial development without depending too heavily on national government funding.

"Many facilities are damaged, and if we do not act now and instead rely on external assistance, we risk prolonged dependency on national government actions," he added.

Budget deliberations are expected to continue this week before final approval by the provincial board.