CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival delivered his first State of the City Address (SOCA) on July 7, 2026, unveiling the "Cebu City 2035" roadmap aimed at transforming the city into a sustainable, smart, and inclusive metropolis. The address highlighted a decade-long vision focusing on climate action, digital governance, healthcare, housing, employment, and basic services.
Archival reported P10.283 billion in funds and revenue as of June 30, against P11.404 billion in total obligations for infrastructure, operations, and development commitments. Key achievements included planting 126,300 seedlings, clearing 23.43 kilometers of canals, maintaining 37,235 scholars, placing 13,864 jobseekers, and achieving a 99.16 percent job placement rate.
Three Pillars of Cebu City 2035
The roadmap rests on three pillars: sustainability through flood control, food security, waste reduction, renewable energy, and water systems; smart governance through digital permits, e-citations, health records, and public safety tools; and inclusion through housing, healthcare, scholarships, employment, and support for vulnerable sectors.
Archival emphasized flood mitigation, dredging, declogging, eco-stations, composting, plastic-reduction campaigns, and a planned sewage and septage treatment plant. He also cited the installation of 350 solar-powered streetlights in the Banilad-Talamban corridor, expected to save P4.2 million yearly once operational.
Digitalization Push
The city is pushing digitalization, including fully online business permits with a target processing time of under 10 minutes, electronic traffic citations, digital health records, and smart street naming and numbering. On health and social services, Archival noted the continuing completion of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), expanded dialysis services, dengue prevention through Wolbachia technology, and stronger support for barangay health workers.
Housing projects are underway in Kamagayan, Budlaan, Pit-os, and Lorega, with land swap talks for more relocation sites. Before the address, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña assured Carbon Public Market vendors that the city would keep its promise to them, stating that the government exists to serve the people.
City Council Reorganization
After the SOCA, the City Council approved its leadership and committee assignments for 2026-2027. Vice Mayor Osmeña serves as presiding officer. Association of Barangay Councils President Franklyn Ong will chair the education and barangay affairs committees, taking over the education committee from Osmeña.
Councilor Phillip Zafra was elected president pro tempore, while Councilor Winston Pepito was elected majority floor leader, replacing Councilor Dave Tumulak. Councilors Joel Garganera and Pancrasio Esparis were named first and second assistant majority floor leaders. Councilor Sisinio Andales retained his position as minority floor leader, and Councilor Alvin Arcilla as assistant minority floor leader.
Committee Assignments
The majority bloc, composed of councilors from Barug ang Kusug parties, received key posts. Councilor Dave Tumulak will chair the budget and finance, disaster risk reduction, safety and climate change adaptation, and health committees. Councilor Harold Kendrick Go will lead the labor, trade, and urban planning panels. Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. was assigned to the markets, games and amusement, and senior citizens committees.
Councilor Zafra will head the scholarship, animal welfare, and house rules and oversight committees. Councilor Edgardo "Jaypee" Labella II will chair the infrastructure and information and communication technology panels. Councilor Garganera will lead the environment committee, Councilor Pepito will head the transportation and women, LGBTQ, and family affairs committees, Councilor Esparis will chair social services, and Councilor Mikel Rama will lead the housing and laws committees.
Among the minority bloc from Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan, Councilor Pablo Labra II retained the public order committee, and Councilor Nyza Archival will continue to head tourism, arts and culture, and sister cities relations. Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Rhea Mae Jakosalem will continue to lead the youth and sports development committee. Councilors Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa, Andales, Arcilla, and Cellona are minority members without committee leadership posts for 2026-2027.
Future Commitments
Archival committed to completing CCMC, building more medium-rise housing, expanding water supply, cutting non-revenue water by 25 percent, negotiating lower electricity costs, digitalizing more services, and launching programs for vendors, kutseros, and informal workers.
