Cebu City Pioneers 24/7 Government Services with 'Mayor of the Night' Program
Cebu City has taken a groundbreaking step toward making local government services accessible around the clock. Mayor Nestor Archival has officially signed Executive Order 027, Series of 2025, creating the innovative "Cebu City Government 24/7 Service (Mayor of the Night)" program. This initiative aims to serve residents and employees who work beyond traditional office hours, particularly those in the bustling business process outsourcing sector.
Program Structure and Implementation
The executive order, formally signed on October 23, 2025, establishes the legal framework for 24-hour city operations and designates Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña to oversee program implementation under Mayor Archival's supervision. The program will begin as a two-year pilot project located within or near Cebu I.T. Park in Barangay Lahug or other 24-hour commercial districts.
Mayor Archival defended the program's ₱12 million budget allocated for three years, emphasizing that the focus is on helping people and supporting the local economy. "Putting an office there will really help them. The P12 million is for three years. It doesn't mean the whole amount will be used," the mayor stated during discussions with the City Council.
Comprehensive Service Offerings
The "Mayor of the Night" program will function as a one-stop service center catering specifically to:
- Night-shift workers
- BPO employees
- Residents unable to access services during daytime hours
Participating city departments include:
- City Treasurer's Office (for cedula issuance)
- Business Permit and Licensing Office (business applications)
- City Health Department (health cards)
- City Civil Registrar (civil registry documents)
The program also extends invitations to national government agencies to participate, including:
- Social Security System (SSS)
- Pag-IBIG Fund
- PhilHealth
- Bureau of Internal Revenue
- National Bureau of Investigation
- Philippine Statistics Authority
- Land Transportation Office
- Philippine National Police
Legal Framework and Funding
The executive order clarifies that Vice Mayor Osmeña's role in program coordination "does not undermine the principle of separation of powers" as defined under the Local Government Code of 1991. The arrangement limits the vice mayor's responsibilities to oversight and coordination rather than executive control.
Funding for the project will come from available City Government funds or supplemental appropriations, with all expenditures subject to standard accounting and auditing regulations. The city may enter into partnerships or lease agreements with private companies, including BPO firms and property administrators, to maintain and operate the service center.
All procurement and leasing activities must comply with:
- Local Government Code
- Republic Act 12009 (New Government Procurement Act)
- Department of Budget and Management rules
- Commission on Audit regulations
The Cebu City Legal Office reinforced the program's legality with an October 27, 2025 recommendation affirming "no legal impediment" to the city entering into multi-year lease agreements for program office space, provided specific technical conditions are met.
Vice Mayor Osmeña has emphasized the urgency of launching the service centers by January 1, 2026, noting that delays could affect lease contracts and overall program readiness. This innovative approach to public service delivery represents a significant step forward in making government services truly accessible to all Cebu City residents, regardless of their work schedules.
