By Giel Eduard Acot Orillosa
Cebu has a new beginning. We have new leaders who promise to serve with love, care and fairness. This change gives us hope. But hope must be followed by action. For Cebu to truly move forward, leaders and citizens must work together. Leadership must empower, not overpower.
To empower means to give strength to others, to make people feel important, trusted, and heard. In the past, many leaders used power to control people. They made decisions without listening. They were more focused on position than on service. But true leadership is not about being the boss. It is about helping others grow and do their part.
Our new leaders have a big chance to make a difference. They can inspire people by showing honesty, kindness, and dedication. Leading with heart, not just with rules, can help people trust again. When citizens trust their leaders, they will follow and support them. When leaders listen to the people, they learn what needs to be done.
The role of the citizens is also very important. We must not leave all the work to the government. We must do our part every day. Simple acts like cleaning our surroundings, following the law, planting trees, helping neighbors and speaking with respect already make a big impact.
Leaders should also include young people in planning and programs. The youth have many ideas. They can bring energy and technology to make Cebu more modern and prepared for the future. When young people feel empowered, they will not leave the country — they will stay and serve their community.
“Empower, not overpower” also means that leaders do not need to shout to be heard. They do not need to rule with fear. Instead, they can lead by example. Their words and actions must show love for Cebu and its people. True leadership is humble. It lifts others up.
Cebu has many challenges like traffic, floods, waste problems, and poverty. But with united hearts and minds, we can solve them. If the government creates good programs and the people support those programs, change will happen faster. If mistakes happen, they must be corrected with honesty, not with blame.
The best way to lead Cebu is not by force, but by empowering every Cebuano to take part. The new leaders must build trust. The people must give support. Together, we can build a province where no one is left behind, where leadership is not feared, but respected and loved.
Cebu’s future is bright if we remember this: real power is shared power. And real change begins when we empower, not overpower.