Mayor wants full audit of resources

CEBU CITY — Incoming Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano said that his administration will conduct a full audit of the city's financial standing and investigate reports of excessive hiring under the current leadership, as part of his priorities upon assuming office on July 1, 2025.

"We have to do an audit on the financial standings of the city," said Ouano, citing concerns over a reportedly bloated number of job order (JO) employees.

He also questioned the creation of the Purok Development Office by the outgoing administration, which he claimed may have been set up to accommodate or influence purok leaders.

While clarifying that qualified employees will be retained, he stressed that unqualified personnel will have to be removed to protect the city's resources.

He added that the funds currently used for job order workers could instead be reallocated to improve social services for Mandaue City.

A dedicated facility for Mandaue City College, which has long operated from the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex, is also among Ouano's top priorities.

Ouano pointed out that Mandaue City College had been operating without a permanent campus for nearly 18 years, saying it continued to function like a "squatter" at the sports complex.

He plans to assess the site previously proposed by the current administration but prefers to build the new facility in Barangay Paknaan, near the upcoming Mandaue City Oval, to improve accessibility for students.

Ouano also confirmed the construction of a new Mandaue City Hospital in Barangay Centro. The facility aims to expand health care access and accommodate more patients.

To support these initiatives, Ouano said he would review the city's P4.5 billion budget and, if necessary, coordinate with national government agencies or seek assistance through his sister, Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon, who was reelected to another term in office.

The mayor-elect, meanwhile, committed to continuing infrastructure and public service projects that have already been funded, saying that political differences should not hinder public service.

Vice mayor-elect Glenn Bercede, who currently serves as acting mayor, expressed readiness to work with Ouano despite their different political affiliations.

Bercede ran under Team Mandaue, while Ouano represents the One Mandaue Party.

Bercede said collaboration is essential for the city's progress and offered full support for the incoming mayor's plans.

Both Ouano and Bercede served as provincial board members representing Cebu's sixth district in 2016.