OUTGOING Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has expressed his hope that the next administration will continue the key projects he started, including the finishing touches of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), school buildings and flood mitigation projects, among others.
Garcia made this statement during a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, along with his confirmation that he received a request letter from mayor-elect Nestor Archival for a meeting, signaling the formal start of transition talks aimed at ensuring a smooth handover of leadership.
Garcia specifically mentioned key projects he hopes will be carried forward, including the signing of the contract for the finishing touches on the CCMC, the construction of five school buildings, the deployment of personnel and equipment in family health centers, slope protection projects in mountain barangays, transitional housing, the master drainage plan, lot purchases for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) and the provision of free maintenance medicines for senior citizens.
He said that he received Archival’s request letter that morning and expressed positivity about the incoming mayor’s outreach. However, a specific date for the meeting has yet to be set by the outgoing mayor.
“I just received this letter today. I’m also pleased because it seems he’s accommodating my schedule, as we are still very busy with the remaining month and a half of our governance here in the City of Cebu,” Garcia said.
Garcia also outlined the composition of his transition team, which includes department heads, representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the city secretary and a representative each from an accredited civil society organization and a people’s organization.
Emphasizing the importance of an unhindered transition, Garcia stated his strong desire to prevent any obstacles.
“I have already done my part as far as the transition is concerned, and I’m very serious that we don’t want any hiccups or obstacles to occur during the transition from this administration to the next,” he said, assuring that his full support and cooperation are extended to the incoming administration.
When asked about potential topics for discussion during the meeting with Archival, Garcia said he intends to bring up the continuity of projects and programs initiated during his term.
“There are many things we have started that I hope they will finish,” he said, conveying his hope that the many initiatives started during his term will be completed by the next administration.
Earlier, Archival said that he will be supporting the projects and programs of the outgoing mayor, provided that the funds are sufficient. / JPS