In first SOCA, Archival seeks billions in nat'l funds for Cebu projects

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Rather than use his first State of the City Address (SOCA) to highlight completed accomplishments, Mayor Nestor Archival laid out an ambitious financing strategy that relies heavily on national government grants, agency partnerships, and private-sector investments to deliver Cebu City’s biggest development projects.

Throughout his speech before the Cebu City Council on Tuesday, July 7, Archival repeatedly appealed for support from government agencies, lawmakers, and even private partners.

He pointed out that securing outside funding would allow the city to pursue projects ranging from food security and water supply to flood control, environmental protection, and traffic modernization.

Food security anchors agenda

“We have to be active,” Archival said. He urged department heads to work faster on preparing proposals that could unlock additional funding.

“Akong hangyon sa department heads nga let’s do overtime.” (I am asking our department heads to work overtime.)

He said the national government had already committed at least ₱145 million in infrastructure assistance, but the amount could increase to as much as ₱1 billion if the city aggressively pursued available funding opportunities.

Archival set to report first-year gains in inaugural SOCA Tuesday

Food security emerged as one of the administration’s top priorities.

Cebu projects include food terminal

Archival announced that Cebu City had secured a ₱145-million Local Government Support Fund grant, which the city plans to use to purchase rice for distribution to poor households identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

He said the program could distribute around 180,000 sacks with 10 kilograms of rice each.

The mayor also disclosed that the Department of Agriculture had expressed willingness to finance the construction of a food terminal worth between ₱300 million and ₱1 billion, provided the city could identify a suitable site.

Demonstration farms

He appealed to the City Council for support once the proposal reaches the legislative body.

Mayor Archival also outlined plans to expand model farms and greenhouse hydroponics projects, with demonstration farms targeted for northern and southern Cebu City next year before expanding citywide in 2028.

Hydroponics or aquaculture refers to the cultivation of plants in nutrient-laced water, without a medium like gravel or sand.

Archival justified the investment by pointing to Cebu’s dependence on imported food.

“The council knows this—65 percent of the food that we are eating is not from Cebu,” he said, warning that disruptions in food supply could leave the city vulnerable.

National backing for water, irrigation

Archival likewise tied major water infrastructure projects to national government support.

He said the city continues to coordinate with the Regional Development Council and the Department of Public Works and Highways for the proposed Lusaran Dam, which he said could eventually produce about 100,000 cubic meters of water daily for Cebu City.

The city has requested around ₱1 billion from the DPWH to finance the project’s study, design, and implementation.

He also reported that authorities continue validating irrigation systems damaged by Typhoon Odette in December 2021 and plan to shift future irrigation facilities to solar-powered operations.

Other Cebu projects: Public park, forest projection

He said the city would eventually seek budget support from the council for those projects.

Archival also outlined several environmental initiatives that depend on partnerships with national agencies.

He said the city continues negotiations with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Kantipla Ecosystems Enhancement and Protection (KEEP) Foundation to manage about 500 hectares of protected forest in Barangay Cantipla once the existing management agreement expires.

The city also plans to transform a 19-hectare property near Ayala Heights into a major public park.

Waste management on the list, too

On waste management, Archival said Cebu City had already begun diverting around 15 tons of garbage daily through an eco-station in the South Road Properties instead of hauling all waste to the landfill in Aloguinsan.

The city also expects upland barangays to establish composting facilities that could divert another 20 tons of waste daily.

Meanwhile, he said the city had cleaned about 90 percent of the Pasil coastline and continues discussions with the DPWH on constructing a garbage interceptor to prevent trash from flowing into coastal waters.

Flood control, traffic modernization

Archival also appealed to the City Council to fund long-term flood mitigation projects, including the acquisition of an amphibious backhoe that could dredge rivers and waterways more efficiently.

Traffic modernization likewise formed part of his long-term agenda.

The mayor proposed a no-contact apprehension system that would use cameras to detect traffic violations, illegal parking, and littering.

Under the proposal, violation records would automatically reach the City Treasurer’s Office for collection, eliminating manual enforcement in many cases.

CCMC, land dispute

Archival said the Traffic Management Coordination office aims to complete its study by October 2026, seek funding and legislation in 2027, begin procurement during the second half of that year, and start testing the system in early 2028.

He also announced plans to roll out electronic traffic citation devices that would allow motorists to settle penalties electronically, reducing paperwork, and eliminating the need to visit city offices.

On healthcare, Archival said that the Cebu City Medical Center should partially open during the first quarter of 2027 after work on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors finishes, allowing hospital services to move while lower floors undergo rectification.

“We promised this would be completed before our term ends,” he said. The current three-year term will end on June 30, 2028.

The mayor also briefly updated the decades-old 93-1 land dispute involving Cebu City and the Cebu Provincial Government, saying a technical working group continues to discuss the issue and will meet again next week.

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