CEBU City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival has outlined his key focus areas for his upcoming three-year term, highlighting plans to address perennial issues such as revenue, traffic, garbage and flooding.
The outgoing councilor also aims to improve City Hall services and push for food sustainability.
Archival, who is set to assume office at noon on June 30, 2025, shared his agenda in a radio interview on Wednesday, May 14, following his victory in the midterm elections held last Monday, May 12.
To increase revenue, Archival plans to improve the collection efficiency of existing taxes, particularly real property tax.
He said better collection, not new taxes, is key, as the City is currently missing out on potential revenue.
To streamline transactions at City Hall, Archival intends to standardize policies to eliminate delays.
On the garbage problem, Archival emphasized the need for segregation and composting at the barangay level. He believes that empowering barangays to manage their waste could save the City substantial funds. Cebu City currently spends about P500 million annually on garbage disposal.
For flood control, Archival cited desilting and declogging waterways as short-term solutions, but building water catchments in rivers and establishments is a long-term solution.
He stressed that residents must also manage their waste properly to prevent clogging.
To ease traffic, he wants to complete the Bus Rapid Transit project, construct more parking areas and strictly enforce traffic rules.
Archival brings extensive experience in local governance, having served in the City Government for over 17 years. He was a city councilor from 2007 to 2016 and again from 2019 to the present.
In 2016, he ran for vice mayor but lost to Edgardo Labella.
Outside politics, Archival founded N.A. Systems Inc., serves as president of NGA Development Corp., and was an instructor at the University of San Carlos’ Department of Engineering from 1980 to 1995.
In the midterm elections in Cebu City, the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) tandem dominated the local polls.
Archival, a BOPK candidate and incumbent city councilor, won the mayoral race with 256,197 votes, defeating incumbent Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, former mayor Mike Rama, Yogi Filemon Ruiz and Julieto Co.
His running mate, BOPK leader and former mayor Tomas Osmeña, won the race for vice mayor, beating incumbent Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros and Joey Daluz. / JPS