Cebu City Council Approves P5.1 Million Lease for 24-Hour 'Mayor of the Night' Service Hub
The Cebu City Council has officially authorized a lease agreement allocating P5.1 million for a groundbreaking 24-hour government service hub, dubbed the "Mayor of the Night." This 307-square-meter facility will be situated at the Cebu Exchange Tower near Cebu IT Park, specifically designed to cater to graveyard shift workers who face significant challenges in accessing public services during standard office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Addressing the Needs of Night Shift Workers
Cebu boasts a substantial workforce operating overnight, primarily in sectors such as business process outsourcing (BPO), healthcare, and security. Their unconventional schedules often clash with traditional government operations, forcing many to sacrifice sleep or take days off to secure essential services like medical clearances, tax payments, or business permits. In response, Mayor Nestor Archival signed an executive order in 2025 to establish this continuous service center. Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña has claimed credit for the initiative, highlighting that funding stems from over P600 million in savings accumulated by the Vice Mayor's Office and City Council over the past six months.
Economic and Operational Benefits
The Archival-Osmeña administration anticipates that the hub will not only alleviate daytime traffic congestion but also streamline bureaucratic processes, making Cebu City more appealing to the call center industry. This sector currently grapples with high employee turnover rates, partly attributed to poor work-life balance. By providing round-the-clock access to government services, the city aims to enhance the employee experience and support economic growth.
Support and Scrutiny from Stakeholders
A group representing BPO companies in Cebu has expressed strong backing for the project. Darwin John Moises, vice president of the Cebu IT-BPM Organization, voiced support on February 12, 2026, stating, "It's encouraging to see the Cebu City Government taking proactive steps to enhance the employee experience in the IT-BPM industry, especially for those working evening shifts. We are grateful for this initiative and look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration." He emphasized the importance of co-creating strategic and sustainable solutions.
During council deliberations on February 10, Councilor Harry Eran raised procedural concerns, questioning whether the council had properly authorized a multi-year contract and identified funding sources. Councilor Harold Go clarified that the project was part of the Annual Investment Plan and amended the measure to ensure compliance with the New Government Procurement Act regarding multi-year agreements.
Vice Mayor Osmeña defended the selected location, noting that alternative sites would require costly and time-intensive renovations. He championed the project's ambition, declaring, "It will be the first office of its kind where the government is open 24/7. And I'm very proud that we are taking a big risk because we're the only ones doing this in the whole world. There's no place on earth where you're open 24 hours a day, only in Cebu City." He added that this initiative aims to demonstrate a more efficient, less bureaucratic government model critical to the local economy.
Notably, Councilor Pastor 'Jun' Alcover Jr., who has publicly criticized the program as "unconstitutional" and a "waste of money," was absent during the deliberations.
Uncertainties and Future Steps
While the local government has committed offices such as the City Treasurer and City Health Department to participate, the involvement of national agencies remains unclear. The executive order encourages entities like the National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, and Social Security System to join, but no formal commitments or operational timelines from these agencies have been disclosed.
Moving forward, Mayor Archival is now authorized to sign the lease agreement with Eklektos Estates Inc., which runs from February 2026 to June 2028. The city must finalize the turnover of the premises, pay advance rent and security deposits, and physically set up the offices before the continuous service hub can officially open to the public.
