FORMER Cebu City mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia wrapped up his last day in office with a full schedule that included signing the revised comprehensive zoning ordinance, receiving a Maharlika Award, a reporting of his achievements and the status of the City Government’s operation and the smooth turnover of the official seal to the next administration, all done on Monday, June 30, 2025.
On Monday morning, Garcia led his last flag-raising ceremony at Plaza Sugbo.
Garcia then signed City Ordinance 2784, or the Revised Comprehensive Cebu City Zoning Ordinance of 2025, that will implement the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Clup) for the city’s development.
He also received the Maharlika Award from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) for achieving the highest locally sourced revenues in the region for 2024, with a P6 billion collection.
Garcia was also recognized by the 16th City Council for his stint as its presiding officer.
Garcia thanked the BLGF 7 and council, saying the recognition was a testament to how his administration managed the City Government.
After Garcia’s term report, a symbolic gesture followed as his successor, Nestor Archival, formally accepted the official seal of the Cebu City Government from Garcia.
“I will turn over this symbolic seal of the City of Cebu to the mayor-elect not of a heavy heart but of a light heart that he will take care of the City of Cebu that we love so much. Mayor Nestor, please take care of the City of Cebu,” said Garcia.
In response, Archival said, “Mayor Garcia, I will take care of Cebu City.”
At exactly noon, Garcia’s term concluded, and Archival formally assumed the mayoral post. Archival, accompanied by Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, received a warm welcome from the vendors of Carbon Public Market before having lunch at Plaza Sugbo.
End-term report
In his end-term report, Garcia emphasized that he left the City Government with zero long-term debts, strong cash reserves and ongoing infrastructure and health projects that will benefit Cebuanos for years to come.
Garcia said the City Government holds P12.1 billion in cash assets, including P7.9 billion General Fund, P1.5 billion Trust Fund, P2.5 billion Special Education Fund and over P110 million in dollar accounts.
“We achieved this without implementing tax rates that would have negatively affected our employers and taxpayers,” Garcia said, emphasizing that the City has remained “fiscally sound, socially responsive and institutionally stronger.”
He pointed out how his administration secured the road right-of-way for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project despite delays in its implementation.
Garcia noted that he brought healthcare closer to residents, citing the launching of the Apas Super Health Center in Barangay Apas, upgraded facilities at the Guba Community Hospital including new laboratory equipment and an X-ray machine and the ongoing works for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center’s upper floors.
Garcia thanked the City Council, department heads, employees, his campaign team and his family for their support throughout his term.
“To the people of Cebu: thank you for being part of this incredible journey. I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Garcia said. “I leave office not with regret, but with hope — hope that the next chapter for Cebu City will be even brighter.” / EHP with reports from John Mart Mabalhin, VSU intern and Hilary Natalie Berongoy, HNU Intern