Archival to install free public water stations across Cebu City

Local

GET ready to refill, Cebu.

Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. plans to install free public water stations across the city and is urging residents to bring their own tumblers as Cebu City pushes toward a low-waste, plastic-free future.

The initiative, part of Archival’s first 100 days in office, is set to promote environmental responsibility while addressing concerns over rising plastic waste and future water scarcity.

“We are going to install drinkable water in common public areas all over Cebu… People can refill straight from the station. Just bring your tumbler,” Archival told reporters on Saturday, July 5.

Archival, known for his strong environmental stance, said the move is more than just about convenience. It’s about culture change.

“That’s something people can understand that the city government is taking care of the society and the environment,” he said.

In a waste management seminar held Saturday, July 5, at Barrio Luz National High School, Archival awarded P500 each to students who brought reusable tumblers.

The mayor said promoting reusable containers among the youth and the general public is a key strategy to cut back on single-use plastics, which continue to pile up in landfills and waterways.

His campaign began even before taking office, when he flagged the excessive use of bottled water during transition meetings at City Hall.

Multiple bottles, he noted, were being discarded unfinished.

“Out of five meetings, six mineral water bottles were thrown away with some still unfinished,” he said.

Archival has also announced plans to reintroduce anti-plastic rules inside City Hall, starting with department heads and employees.

“Magbutang ta’g water dispenser… kinahanglan naa moy tumbler,” he said.

He hinted at providing reusable tumblers to department heads and promised to lead by example.

A June 4 Facebook post from Archival, featuring a photo of him holding a tumbler, captured the direction of his administration: “Protecting our beautiful city of Cebu—one tumbler at a time.”

The city’s last major anti-plastic policy was introduced by Tomas Osmeña in 2018, banning plastic straws and containers inside City Hall. Osmeña, now vice mayor, supported Archival’s initiative.

“Many small steps make a big difference,” he posted on social media, reacting to the announcement.

Archival’s program not only revives the old rules but expands them citywide through new infrastructure like refill stations, creating a system that encourages sustainable behavior in daily life.

The refill project is just one part of Archival’s ambitious 100-day plan, which also includes citywide enforcement of waste segregation, cleanups, and desilting to reduce flooding, and the reopening of a road from IT Park to Banilad to ease traffic.

The plan further features the launch of a 24/7 public library, a comprehensive inventory and audit of government assets, a review of city staffing and scholarship programs, and the acceleration of the Cebu City Medical Center completion.

Archival is also looking to cut down Cebu’s massive garbage spending, P600 million annually, by promoting recycling and partnering with groups that will buy recyclables.

“We’ll organize officials so they know how to manage waste properly,” he said.(TGP)