‘Basyang’ cuts short Pam’s China trip

Local

CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro cut short her first official overseas mission and flew back home on Thursday, Feb. 5, as Typhoon Basyang threatened to hit the province.

She said she is opting to personally oversee disaster preparedness efforts instead of continuing diplomatic engagements in China.

Baricuatro made the decision after completing the first day of the Cebu provincial delegation’s visit to Fujian Province, where meetings focused on waste management, healthcare cooperation, and sister-province relations.

In a Facebook post, she said she could not continue official activities abroad knowing that Cebu may be affected by the approaching typhoon.

“Cebu, I’m coming home,” Baricuatro said, confirming she would return ahead of schedule as Basyang is expected to make landfall on Friday evening.

She said she remains confident in the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, now operating from its new command center, but emphasized the need for hands-on leadership during emergencies.

Because of her early return, Baricuatro apologized for missing the scheduled trade forum in Zhangzhou, which will proceed with Provincial Board Members Stanley Caminero, Neneth Reluya, Malcolm Sanchez, and Mike Villamor representing Cebu.

Before cutting the trip short, the delegation visited a pioneering Waste-to-Energy facility in Fujian, regarded as a national model in China, and met with officials of Fujian Medical University to reaffirm cooperation on healthcare and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The day ended with a meeting with Fujian Governor Zhao Long to deepen bilateral ties, discuss the possible resumption of the Xiamen–Cebu–Xiamen flight, and mark the 8th anniversary of the Cebu–Fujian sister province partnership.

Additionally, her daughter Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said the rest of the delegation will continue the remaining engagements to ensure continuity.

She added that the mission opened opportunities in healthcare, education, trade, and cultural exchange.

She also noted that non-government members of the delegation are personally covering their travel expenses.

Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco continued to act as governor while Baricuatro was in transit back to Cebu.(MyTVCebu)