Archival: Moving Cebu City Hall to SRP to burden taxpayers

Local

A CEBU City official expressed opposition to the proposed transfer of Cebu City Hall to the South Road Properties (SRP), saying it would burden taxpayers, worsen accessibility, and divert funds from more urgent public services.

Councilor and mayoral candidate Nestor Archival warned that the project, initially estimated to cost P500 million, could balloon to P4 billion, similar to what happened with the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

“Instead of pouring billions into a new City Hall, why not fix CCMC? It was designed for 500 beds, yet reports say only 150 are operational, with patients sometimes sharing beds. We should prioritize public health, not new office buildings,” he said.

He added moving the City Hall to SRP would also make government services harder to access, especially for senior citizens and low-income residents.

While city officials have said SRP will be part of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, Archival remains skeptical about the timeline and efficiency of such plans.

“City Hall is within reach now. If we move it, how will people get there? Without clear transport solutions, we’re making the government harder to access,” he said.

Beyond healthcare and transport, he questioned the city’s spending priorities.

The Long Life program, which previously delivered maintenance medicines to senior citizens, now requires them to shoulder expenses.

The city’s scholarship program has also become more difficult for students to qualify for due to bureaucratic requirements.

City officials, led by Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, argue that the move to SRP would centralize government offices, freeing up the heritage district for cultural projects.

The proposed government complex would include a 15-story executive building, an eight-story legislative building, and a separate structure for the Department of General Services.

The existing City Hall would be converted into a museum.

Despite these plans, Archival remains firm.

“Every peso should go where it matters most. Right now, Cebuanos need hospitals, scholarships, and public services—not a City Hall in an area with no proper transport system.”(MyTVCebu)