CEBU City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia officially stepped down from office at 12 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2025, turning over leadership to Mayor-elect Nestor Archival while calling on Cebuanos to continue to work of building a stronger and more resilient city.
Earlier that morning, Garcia led his final flag-raising ceremony at Plaza Sugbo, marking the conclusion of his nearly one-year term as the city’s chief executive.
He also delivered his end-of-term report, highlighting major accomplishments during his administration. These include zero long-term debts, strong cash reserves, and ongoing infrastructure and health projects aimed at benefiting Cebuanos for years to come.
He reported that as of this year, Cebu City holds P12.1 billion in cash assets, including P7.9 billion in the General Fund, P1.5 billion in the Trust Fund, P2.5 billion in the 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 also noted that his administration has secured the road right of way for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project despite earlier concerns about its impact on the view of the Cebu Capitol building.
The City also procured tow trucks, improved the mobility of traffic personnel, and advocated for intermodal systems and underground cabling to address traffic congestion and reduce fire hazards caused by overhead wires.
In advancing governance, Garcia noted improvements in faster, more transparent, and citizen-centered government services, along with initiatives to bring healthcare closer to residents.
He cited the operationalization of the Apas Super Health Center, upgrading of facilities at the Guba Hospital including new laboratory equipment and an x-ray machine, and the ongoing completion of the Cebu City Medical Center’s upper floors.
The City also allocated P30 million for maintenance medicines under its Preventive Healthcare and Medicines Program.
“This is the Resulta: A city with zero utang, efficient systems, sufficient resources for meaningful projects, and a clear and feasible roadmap for the future,” Garcia said.
Garcia expressed gratitude to the Cebu City Council, his department heads, employees, campaign team, and 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,” he said. “I leave office not with regret, but with hope -- hope that the next chapter for Cebu City will be even brighter.”
Following his speech, the turnover took place as Archival formally received the Cebu City Seal of Office, officially marking the start of his administration and the end of Garcia’s term. (John Mart Mabalhin, VSU intern and Hilary Natalie Berongoy, HNU intern)