Archival to deliver first SOCA today

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival is set to deliver his first State of the City Address (SOCA) today, where he is expected to present his administration's accomplishments and priorities before members of the Cebu City Council.

At the mayor's instruction, the SOCA will be delivered during the inaugural session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod at 2 p.m.

According to the official program released by the Public Information Office, the inaugural session will begin with opening formalities, followed by the address of Vice Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña and Archival's SOCA inside the session hall. The event will be streamed live on Facebook.

Archival is expected to highlight his administration's accomplishments in healthcare, particularly developments at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), which he has pledged to complete by December 2026.

He is also expected to discuss progress in drainage clearing operations, food security initiatives, El Niño mitigation measures, peace and order programs, educational assistance, and traffic management.

The mayor is also expected to report his administration’s progress in addressing the garbage crisis.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier issued a cease-and-desist order against the city for using the South Road Properties (SRP) as a temporary dumpsite following the collapse of the Binaliw landfill, an incident that exposed longstanding weaknesses in Cebu City's waste management system.

Environmental groups and residents have urged Archival to move beyond temporary measures and present a sustainable, long-term solution to the city's garbage disposal problem—an issue the mayor himself has vowed to address.

Following the SOCA, the City Council is scheduled to adopt its house rules for fiscal year 2026-2027, elect its officers, and reorganize its standing committees.

Political observers expect possible changes in committee leadership and new alignments within the council, making the inaugural session an early test of Archival's ability to advance his 10-point agenda through the legislative body.

Archival campaigned on promises centered on healthcare, housing, food security, education, climate resilience, and employment.

His administration has reported progress in several areas, including the installation of solar panels in city-owned buildings, the conduct of job fairs that have placed hundreds of applicants, and tree-planting initiatives aimed at strengthening climate resilience.

However, several key commitments remain unfinished, including the construction of affordable housing for families without permanent homes, transport modernization following the collapse of funding for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project, and the implementation of a long-term solution to the city's garbage disposal problem. — (FREEMAN)