Cebu City mayoral bets lay down platforms ahead of May 2025 elections

Local

With the May 12, 2025, midterm elections fast approaching, voters in Cebu City are being urged to closely examine the platforms of those vying to lead the highly urbanized metro.

Among the most pressing issues on the table are traffic, flooding, illegal drugs, waste management, health services, and the future of the Carbon Market.

In a special Open Line Candidates Forum organized by MyTV Cebu on Tuesday, April 29, four of the five mayoral candidates laid out their proposed solutions to these critical concerns.

During the forum held at Casino Español, mayoral hopefuls Michael “Mike” Rama of Partido Barug Bag-ong Sugbo, incumbent Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. of Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), independent candidate Julieto Co, and Yogi Ruiz of Partido Cebuano tackled key issues including infrastructure, revenue generation, the Sinulog venue, and the long-delayed Cebu City Medical Center.

Incumbent Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who is running under the Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug)-Panaghiusa alliance, was unable to attend due to prior commitments.

Tackling traffic: short-term fixes, long-term vision

All four candidates agreed that addressing Cebu City’s worsening traffic problem requires both short-term and long-term strategies.

Partido Barug candidate Mike Rama proposed improving the current traffic infrastructure, opening new roads, and digitizing traffic systems.

He blamed the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project’s delay on “excessive politicization” and vowed to push for its completion.

Independent candidate Julieto Co proposed implementing a number-coding system for vehicles as an immediate measure. For long-term relief, he envisions constructing skyways and completing the CBRT.

Co emphasized the need for a “visionary leader” to carry out bold urban mobility initiatives.

BOPK’s Nestor Archival laid down a four-pronged traffic plan. He said it would be better to increase parking availability, partner with private institutions for transport solutions, and complete the CBRT to serve Bulacao to Talamban.

He also proposed building a diversion road from Carcar to Danao to keep provincial traffic out of the city’s main roads.

“Most of the cars coming from the south or north will no longer pass through the city,” Archival said.

Flooding and waste management: Enforcing discipline and sustainability

On the issue of flooding, Rama pointed to initiatives already rolled out during his term, including the formation of a task force and the recovery of easements to improve drainage systems.

He committed to continuing these efforts if re-elected.

Waste management also featured prominently in the forum. All four present candidates pushed for stricter enforcement of existing laws.

Ruiz proposed reinstating waste segregation protocols with penalties for violators.

Archival pitched turning biodegradable waste into free fertilizer and recycling plastics into aggregates for construction.

Co focused on law enforcement, citing the city’s successful anti-smoking campaign as a model.

Rama highlighted Cebu’s 10-year solid waste management plan, again pointing to the importance of “discipline.”

Cebu City Medical Center: A stalled priority

The incomplete Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) remained a contentious topic.

Archival and Co criticized the lack of proper planning, with Archival questioning the presence of four different contractors and Co declaring that CCMC would be his administration’s top priority.

Rama and Ruiz agreed on moving past blame.

Rama promised to complete the hospital’s 11 floors in two months if re-elected.

Ruiz, meanwhile, proposed hiring a credible structural engineer to assess each floor and “find the solutions.”

“CCMC is solvable as long as we approach it from a different perspective,” Ruiz said.

Anti-drug strategies: Prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation

In combating illegal drugs, candidates offered varied approaches.

Archival highlighted unemployment as the root of the drug problem and promised free TESDA training, job placement, and enhanced anti-drug programs.

Co vowed strong coordination with law enforcement and accountability for drug-related crimes.

“If drugs flood the city, blame me,” he told voters.

Rama framed peace and order as a shared responsibility and encouraged stronger parental involvement.

Ruiz outlined a three-part framework: enforcement, rehabilitation, and community intervention through barangay-level programs.

Carbon Market, Sinulog, and urban development

The modernization of the Carbon Market and the Sinulog venue debate also drew mixed responses.

Co and Ruiz both supported continuing Carbon’s modernization while ensuring protection for vendors and consumers.

“I am for modernization but not for privatization,” Ruiz said.

On the Sinulog venue, Rama and Co backed holding the festival at the South Road Properties (SRP), citing space and logistics.

Archival and Ruiz, meanwhile, advocated returning it to its traditional venue at the Cebu City Sports Center, citing cultural and historical relevance.

Revenue generation: Digitalization, transparency, and fiscal responsibility

On revenue and budgeting, the candidates echoed a common desire for better fiscal management.

Rama proposed involving all sectors in budget planning, calling for integrity in tax collection: “Let all pay what they ought to pay.”

Archival flagged the discrepancy between the city’s actual revenue (P9.5 billion) and its approved budget (P14.7 billion), and pushed for realistic spending.

Ruiz suggested digitalizing all revenue-collecting offices and implementing feedback systems.

Co said there is a need for transparency from collection to disbursement across all city departments.

Raymond Garcia: ‘What you’ve seen is just the start’

Although absent from the forum, incumbent Mayor Raymond Garcia remains a key contender.

In earlier public remarks, Garcia said his 10-month leadership since assuming the mayoralty in October 2024 offers a glimpse of his vision for the city.

Garcia emphasized accomplishments such as the launch of a flagship housing program.

He committed to a peaceful, issue-based campaign and urged fellow candidates to avoid personal attacks and fake news.

“We have accomplished so much... And this is just the beginning—there is so much more we can do in the next nine years,” he said. (TGP)