In a comprehensive First 100 Days Report presented on Thursday, October 16, Mayor Nestor Archival laid out a foundational shift in Cebu City’s governance, anchoring his administration on fiscal responsibility, efficiency, and a long-term Vision 2035 for a smart and sustainable city. The report detailed accomplishments across all sectors, from cutting the budget deficit to launching 108 projects and creating a clearer roadmap for the city’s development.
The Core: Financial Discipline and Deficit Control
The administration’s immediate priority was tackling the city’s financial health. While the City Council approved a ₱15.6 billion budget for 2025, the projected revenue stands at only ₱10 billion, creating a significant ₱6 billion gap. In just three months, Mayor Archival’s team implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures that successfully reduced the projected deficit by ₱832 million.
This reduction was achieved through stringent fiscal management, including a massive manpower rationalization that saw the workforce cut from 8,569 to 6,014, resulting in ₱252.5 million in savings. Furthermore, operational efficiency measures, such as reducing monthly fuel expenses by ₱3.5 million, solidified the administration’s commitment to public funds. The Office of the Vice Mayor contributed ₱480 million in savings, with ₱408 million now earmarked for new flagship projects, demonstrating that fiscal prudence directly funds public welfare initiatives.
Health, Food, and Social Welfare: Investing in People
Progress on the Mayor’s 10-Point Agenda was evident in the sectors of health and social services. A major focus is the long-delayed Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), where a team of 25 volunteer experts conducted a full audit, identifying ₱403 million in rectification works needed. The new target for the CCMC’s full operation is June 2028.
Meanwhile, immediate health access has been expanded:
- The Guba Community Hospital is undergoing renovation and will offer X-ray services for the first time, with completion set for December 2025.
- The City Hospitalization and Medicine Program (CHAMP) released ₱37 million in Letters of Authority for medical assistance.
- Efforts to combat hunger saw the launch of the ₱20 Rice Program with the DA-7, subsidizing ₱6.50/kg of rice, alongside the “Walang Gutom” project launched on July 31.
Smart Governance and Sustainable Infrastructure
Mayor Archival, a known environmentalist, pushed forward key initiatives for a resilient city. Critical steps were taken for climate resilience and infrastructure:
- Water Access: In partnership with MCWD, Barangay Guba received sustainable water supply after 30 years without.
- Flood Mitigation:244 requests for canal and river-clearing were completed, cleaning 10,712 linear meters of waterways.
- Sustainability: The City Hall now bans single-use plastics, and a 300-kW solar system was installed at the DGS Building. A new ordinance is underway to mandate solar power for city buildings.
In terms of governance, 40 Special Bodies were created—including the Flood and Drainage Council and the CC Traffic Board—to ensure policy coordination and citizen participation in project implementation. The administration also focused on making city services more accessible and efficient, including relaunching the 24/7 Public Library and removing the tedious BIR certificate requirement for city scholars.
The Vision: Substance Over Spectacle
Mayor Archival concluded his report by reaffirming the administration’s focus on transparent governance and inclusive development. He emphasized that the first 100 days were crucial for establishing a strong, transparent foundation. The ambitious Vision 2035 includes goals for 100% solar-powered street lighting, a 80% flood zone reduction, and universal health access through a zero-billing policy.
The modest manner in which the report was delivered perfectly encapsulated this vision of substance over show. The city saved approximately ₱1 million by foregoing an extravagant ceremony.
Mayor Nestor Archival chose to keep it simple, live-streaming the event straight from the heart of the City Hall. As the Cebu City Information Office calls it “this season calls not for spectacle, but sense. Not for show, but substance. Armed with a few borrowed lights and their own grit, the administration delivered the report with no extravagance, just excellence.”
Photos from Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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