THE Cebu Provincial Government has suspended 154 infrastructure projects to allow a full audit and compliance review.
The suspension order, which took effect on Aug. 22, 2025, stems from a memorandum issued by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro. The move is meant to ensure projects strictly follow government auditing standards, procurement laws and other regulations, amid concerns about compliance.
The suspension affects 140 projects under the construction division and 14 under the waterworks division of the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO). While the halt may cause some delays, provincial officials say it is necessary to safeguard public funds, guarantee transparency, and restore public trust in government spending.
Affected projects
The suspension order covers both infrastructure construction (such as roads and buildings) and waterworks projects. All contractors have been notified by the PEO, which instructed them to secure project sites, preserve materials and equipment, and carry out needed restoration work while activities are paused.
Why was the suspension ordered
Baricuatro’s directive cites the need for:
Compliance with Republic Act (RA) 12009 and its revised implementing rules and regulations.
Adherence to audit requirements set by government oversight agencies.
Review of contracts, plans, and project implementation to detect irregularities or lapses.
The suspension is not indefinite — projects will be allowed to resume once contractors have submitted complete documentation and cleared compliance checks.
What is RA 12009
The law, signed into law in July 2024, replaced RA 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003.
The new law declares that all government procurement — whether for goods, infrastructure, or consulting services — must follow eight guiding principles:
transparency;
competitiveness;
efficiency;
proportionality;
accountability;
participatory procurement;
sustainability; and
professionalism.
All government agencies and local government units are bound by these rules, raising the bar for how contracts and projects are awarded.
What happens to contractors in the meantime
Contractors must secure construction sites and protect stored materials, preserve ongoing work from deterioration, and wait for clearance before resuming operations.
According to PEO head Hector Jamero, some projects may resume earlier if contractors already meet all requirements.
“There will be some delays, but certain projects that have complied with the requirements will be allowed to resume,” Jamero said.
How does this affect
Cebu’s development plans
The suspension may cause short-term delays in roadworks, public buildings, and water projects. However, officials argue that ensuring compliance now will prevent larger setbacks from audit issues later.
Provincial Public Information Officer Ainjeliz Orong emphasized that the move reflects Baricuatro’s push for transparency and accountability.
If contractors have complete documents, then there would be no concerns. In fact, some projects are close to being cleared and will soon be given the go-signal to resume,” she said.
When all’s said and done
Cebu’s suspension of 154 infrastructure projects is a temporary pause aimed at enforcing strict compliance with procurement and audit rules. While it may slow down some developments in the short term, provincial officials say it is necessary to ensure public funds are spent transparently and legally. / CDF