Baricuatro highlights Region 7’s economic growth in first SORA

Local

CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro delivered her first State of the Region Address (SORA) on Wednesday, June 24, highlighting what she described as Central Visayas' resilience amid a year marked by natural disasters, economic pressures, and other challenges.

Speaking during the second quarter full council meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Central Visayas in Danao City, Baricuatro said the region continued to make progress in 2025 despite an earthquake in Cebu, flooding incidents, and pressures on agriculture and tourism.

“Today, the answer is clear. Not only did we endure—we moved forward,” Baricuatro said.

The governor reported that Central Visayas' economy grew by 3.7 percent in 2025, bringing the region's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) to P1.32 trillion.

She said the region remained the largest economy outside Luzon and the fourth largest in the country.

According to Baricuatro, the services sector remained the primary driver of growth while industry showed signs of recovery.

Agriculture slightly contracted, which she said underscored the need to strengthen food systems and climate resilience measures.

She also noted that unemployment and underemployment rates in the region remained below national averages.

Baricuatro highlighted governance gains, including the achievement of 100-percent compliance with Local Development Council functionality standards among all provinces, cities, and municipalities in Central Visayas.

She said local governments expanded the use of digital platforms for business permits, government transactions, and payment systems. Cebu Province also institutionalized full e-governance through the Digital Services Act of 2025.

In the economic sector, Baricuatro cited the region's recognition as the top-performing area under the National Rice Program and Bohol's selection as the Most Outstanding Province in the Visayas under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

The governor also pointed to the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Tech Academy in Cebu and the strengthening of the Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee to support innovation and enterprise development.

“We are no longer just surviving the future; we are creating it,” she said.

Baricuatro said major infrastructure projects continued to advance despite damages caused by the September 2025 earthquake and other natural hazards.

She cited the substantial completion of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit segment connecting the South Bus Terminal and the Capitol area, as well as preparatory work for the Cebu-Mactan Fourth Bridge and Coastal Road and the Panglao-Tagbilaran Offshore Bridge Connector.

The governor also reported continued growth in aviation and maritime activity, including the operation of a second parallel runway at Mactan-Cebu International Airport and investments to improve port capacity and logistics.

She said Central Visayas achieved 100-percent household and population access to electricity in 2025 while continuing efforts to expand renewable energy projects and improve water security.

On social development, Baricuatro reported significant improvements in maternal health, with the maternal mortality ratio dropping to 19.89 deaths per 100,000 live births from 41.28 in 2024.

She also said nutrition indicators improved and senior high school net enrollment rose to 76.78 percent in School Year 2024-2025 from 74.20 percent the previous year.

Baricuatro credited social protection programs for helping thousands of families move toward self-sufficiency and said government agencies have been directed to prioritize beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for employment and livelihood opportunities.

She likewise highlighted environmental protection and disaster resilience initiatives following the Northern Cebu earthquake and Tropical Storm Tino.

This is including watershed rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation, reforestation, and renewable energy development.

Looking ahead, Baricuatro said Central Visayas must continue pursuing food security, infrastructure expansion, and inclusive growth while advancing the region's Strategic and High-Impact Projects.

“We have looked into the eyes of adversity, and we did not blink. Because we are SugBohol, and we shall prevail!” she said.

Baricuatro's first SORA comes eight months after she assumed the RDC chairmanship, where she has pushed for closer coordination between local governments and national agencies to accelerate priority projects and attract investments for the region.(MyTVCebu)