Garcia cites accomplishments in short but eventful term

Local

WITH a Maharlika Award in hand and a pledge of “zero utang,” now former mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia ended his short but eventful term on Monday, June 30.

He presented a “legacy of fiscal strength, improved city systems, and unfinished projects ready for completion.”

Garcia delivered his end-of-term report before city officials and employees during a ceremony that marked the formal turnover of the mayoralty to his successor, Nestor Archival Sr.

The transition also came with high praise for Garcia’s administration, capped by the Maharlika Award from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and a resolution of recognition from the 16th Sangguniang Panglungsod.

Cebu City was recently named Top 1 in Central Visayas in Highest Locally Sourced Revenues for 2024, generating nearly P6 billion without the need to raise tax rates.

“We achieved this without implementing tax rates that would have negatively affected our employers and taxpayers,” Garcia said.

He mentioned that the city possesses a total of P12.1 billion in cash assets, which are distributed among several funds.

According to him, P7.9 billion is allocated to the General Fund, P1.5 billion to the Trust Fund, and P2.5 billion to the Special Education Fund. Additionally, he pointed out that the city holds more than P110 million in dollar accounts.

“We are turning over a city with zero long-term debts and enough reserves to sustain operations for the foreseeable future,” Garcia declared.

Garcia highlighted key infrastructure and mobility efforts during his brief stint, including securing right-of-way for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, despite concerns about the route’s proximity to the Capitol building.

“We secured the road right of way that will pave the way for the project’s eventual completion,” he said.

Under his watch, the city also procured tow trucks and bolstered traffic operations to avoid traffic nightmares in major areas, including the South Road Properties.

“‘Carmageddon,’ we hope, will never happen again in the SRP and other main thoroughfares,” Garcia added.

He also supported the development of intermodal transport systems, the start of underground cabling to eliminate hazardous overhead wires, and initiatives to preserve Cebu’s identity while modernizing its infrastructure.

Garcia noted strides in governance reform, such as streamlining services, pushing transparency, and making processes more citizen-centric.

“We ensured that government services became faster, more transparent, and more citizen-centered,” he said.

On public health, Garcia cited major investments such as the P30 million allocation for maintenance medicine, which he said would breathe new life into the city’s Preventive Healthcare and Medicines Program.

The Apas Super Health Center became fully operational, while Guba Hospital received new laboratory equipment, an X-ray machine, and a designated medical director.

He also confirmed that the long-stalled Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) is now under contract for completion, with construction to resume on the hospital’s third to seventh floors.

Garcia wrapped up his final report with a firm declaration.

“Today, I stand before you not only to report what we have done, but also to affirm that we are turning over a city that is fiscally sound, socially responsive, and institutionally stronger. This is the RESULTA.”

He described Cebu as a city with “efficient systems, zero utang, sufficient resources, and a clear and feasible roadmap for the future.”

As he stepped down, Garcia extended his gratitude to colleagues, department heads, and his family, including his wife Kate and daughter Lexie, his parents, and brothers.

“To the people of Cebu: thank you for being part of this incredible journey. I am proud of what we have achieved together. I leave the office not with regret, but with hope —hope that the next chapter for Cebu City will be even

Brighter,” he said. “I remain, as always, your humble servant. Mabuhi.”(TGP)