Governor Pamela Baricuatro has reiterated her call for greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, emphasizing that citizens deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent on government projects.
Speaking at her regular media conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, October 22, Gov. Baricuatro said transparency goes beyond simply complying with procedures—it is about being accountable to the people who finance these projects through their taxes.
“Why talk about the process when all you have to do is put the cost of each item that you placed there? And if it adds up to ₱1.153 million, so be it,” Gov. Baricuatro said. “People have the right to see where every peso goes.”
The governor made this statement in response to questions regarding a ₱1.153-million comfort room project in her hometown of Pinamungajan, which has drawn public criticism on social media for its allegedly excessive cost.
Gov. Baricuatro urged municipal officials to publicly post an itemized breakdown of the expenses related to the project to ensure transparency and build public trust.
She also confirmed that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will conduct an investigation into the matter to determine whether the project’s cost is justified and compliant with government standards.
“The regional and provincial teams from DILG will go and inspect it. We’ll just leave it at that and wait for their findings. They should be answerable to the law,” she added.
In the same press conference, the governor also raised concerns about another project in Pinamungajan—a ₱10-million roofing project for the town’s tennis court.
Gov. Baricuatro questioned the propriety and prioritization of allocating such an amount to a facility that serves only a few individuals, suggesting that the funds could have been better spent on projects with broader community impact.
“Putting ₱10 million for the roof of a tennis court—don’t you think this is outrageous in a place like Pinamungajan?” the governor said. “That amount could have benefitted more residents if used for water systems, parks, or community fitness facilities.”
Gov. Baricuatro reiterated her administration’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and prudent use of public resources, ensuring that every government peso is used for the greatest public benefit.
