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CEBU CITY — This city’s incoming leaders took their oaths on June 26, days before they assume office, in a show of unity and optimism for a new administration determined to restore the city’s former stature.
CEBU CITY OATH-TAKING RITES Newly elected Cebu City councilor Nyza ‘Nice’ Archival takes her oath of office, joined by her uncle, Mayor-elect Nestor Archival (to her left), during the inaugural ceremony at Plaza Sugbo on June 26, 2025. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES
Thousands gathered at Plaza Sugbo to witness the inauguration of Mayor-elect Nestor Archival, Vice Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña and Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) councilors, four days before their formal assumption of office on June 30.
Archival vowed to make Cebu City “number one again,” highlighting a collaborative vision for governance.
Speaking before supporters, Archival said his administration cannot work in isolation and needs every Cebuano’s help to build a better city.
“Just like any construction project, no single worker can build alone,” Archival said. “We need engineers. We need architects, carpenters, electricians and labor all bringing in skills to complete the vision.”
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He emphasized that this citywide vision requires participation from every sector, drawing from his engineering background where planning, direction and precision are central to progress.
Vice Mayor-elect Osmeña took his oath last, joined by his family and Carbon Market vendors. Lahug Barangay Captain Hazel Ann Muaña-Empleo administered his oath.
Barangay captains allied with BOPK led the oath-taking of the newly elected councilors. North District councilors-elect Sisinio “Bebs” Andales and Alvin Arcilla were sworn in by T. Padilla Captain Irene Nadal, who also administered the oath of councilor-elect Nyza “Nice” Archival.
She carried a portrait of her father, the late lawyer Noel Archival, during the ceremony with her uncle, the incoming mayor.
Councilor-elect Michelle Abella and incumbent councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa of the South District took their oaths before Talamban Barangay Captain Dario Arcilla. Councilor-elect Paul Labra was not present due to another commitment.
Earlier in the day, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided over a Holy Mass fronting city hall.
Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro attended the Mass but left before the formal ceremony began.
In his address, Archival outlined the first wave of programs he plans to implement.
These include the reopening of the Cebu City Library for 24/7 use, the desilting of rivers by the Department of Public Services and the opening of a road network between IT Park and Banilad in coordination with Baricuatro.
He also plans to overhaul the city’s waste disposal system by promoting segregation, composting and recycling, starting with the city hall.
A cement company has already expressed interest in buying recyclable materials, he added.
Barangay officials will be organized to enforce community-level segregation and reduce plastic waste.
Archival intends to strengthen food security by encouraging local farming, noting that 60 percent of the city’s food supply is imported.
He also pledged to finish the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center and overhaul the scholarship system so all high school graduates automatically become city scholars without taking qualifying exams.
However, Archival expressed frustration over transition issues. He said the delayed turnover of financial documents from the outgoing administration left his team unable to assess the city’s fiscal health.
While they were initially promised access earlier, Archival said they were later told the full turnover would only happen at noon on June 30 — just hours before he officially assumes office.
He called the timing unfair, saying it would be impossible to review the volume of documents and offices in just four hours.
Archival said that despite earlier meetings between transition teams, there has been no official turnover of documents and that outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has been on leave since June 2.
Garcia, in a separate interview, dismissed Archival’s claims, saying he may have been misinformed.
He said the actual turnover of documents could begin as early as Friday, ahead of the symbolic turnover ceremony scheduled for Monday.
Garcia insisted that his transition team had already met with department heads and handed over preliminary reports.
He expressed disappointment over Archival’s statements, saying they disregarded the cooperation his office had extended for weeks.
Meanwhile, the newly elected councilors expressed their priorities.
Abellanosa said he plans to focus on social services and youth programs, pending committee assignments expected to be finalized during the June 30 inauguration.
He encouraged constituents to engage in local governance, saying their voices are what placed them in office.
Nice Archival said she would like to work on education, tourism, disaster reduction and scholarships.
She emphasized that youth representatives can contribute meaningfully to the council despite their age.
Abella, a registered psychologist, said she intends to champion mental health initiatives. She shared that she has already consulted with professionals and school counselors to strengthen support for mental wellness across sectors.
