Garcia to sign controversial zoning ordinance

Local

SAYING it is crucial for Cebu City’s future, outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Friday, June 27, confirmed that he will sign the newly approved zoning ordinance before stepping down.

Garcia emphasized that he is “not the one who made promises” to Carbon Market vendors now protesting the measure.

In an interview, he said he intends to leave the next administration with a “strong foundation” and will not waver on his support for the revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and zoning ordinance, which updates Cebu City’s outdated 1996 zoning law.

“Definitely, I will sign it… When I receive [the ordinance], I will review it for a few hours and then I will sign the document. These are the things nga akong ibilin sa next administration—for them to work with enough ammunition to make Cebu a better place to live,” Garcia told reporters.

The outgoing mayor defended the ordinance as essential to city planning, saying the revisions will streamline development and reduce the need for case-by-case exemptions.

“If you don’t update it, inig hatag nimo ug permits… you’ll keep going back to the planning office asking for a variance,” he said. “That’s why once maupdated nana siya, permits nalang ang pangayoon puhon, dili na variance.”

Garcia, who has long advocated for the CLUP’s passage, said he remained committed to it even during the campaign period and distanced himself from political promises made to vendors opposing the ordinance.

“Mao nay kalahian nako. I did not promise things I cannot deliver just for votes. You promise heaven, then paglingkod nimo, sayop man diay to? So akong i-recant?” he said. “Ever since before, I was already for the updated zoning ordinance.”

He added, “We cannot afford to hold Carbon hostage at the expense of Cebu’s development.”

When asked whether he would reconsider signing the ordinance due to the backlash from vendors, Garcia firmly replied that the decision had to be made based on what was good for the city.

“What is good for Cebu City is what we will do. Ila sad na nga muingon nga gisaaran sila. Dili man ako ang nisaad, lain man nga tawo,” Garcia said.

He emphasized that the CLUP and zoning ordinance had undergone multiple public hearings and that delaying it further would be unjustified.

“Daghan na ta’g public hearings. We have a record of that. I think that has been elapsed… deliberations humana. Sakto na nga gi-approve nila. And ako nasad ang mo-sign for it to become law,” Garcia added.

Garcia’s remarks come amid a wave of protest from Carbon Market vendors, who accused Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr. of betrayal for supporting the zoning ordinance, which reclassifies Carbon Market from institutional to commercial.

Vendor groups, including CEMVEDCO, Carbonhanon, and CCUVA, expressed disappointment over the ordinance’s passage on June 25, criticizing the lack of genuine consultation and raising fears of full privatization.

However, Archival denied accusations of betrayal, asserting that the CLUP and zoning ordinance were necessary after years of delay and study.

“Ang kining CLUP gi-studyhan na ni for three years. Daghan kaayo ta’g projects nga wala ma-implement kay wala tay klarong CLUP,” he said earlier this week.

While Archival acknowledged the concerns of vendors and initially requested Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera to delay the vote, he ultimately supported the ordinance’s approval as a vital step toward progress.

He stressed that zoning is essential for reducing reliance on variances and enabling long-term development projects, including housing and infrastructure, which require clear land-use policies.(TGP)