Mayor Garcia urges Archival to continue pending projects

CEBU, Philippines — With the new administration coming in, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia remains hopeful that the projects he has started will be continued, naming a few of those that have already been approved.

There are now just 46 days left before Garcia’s exit. Currently, he said, they are already in the early stages of transitioning from his administration to that of mayor-elect Nestor Archival.

Garcia said his remaining days in office will be dedicated to this transition to ensure a smooth transfer.

Among the projects Garcia hopes for the next administration to continue is the construction of five school buildings, in which contracts have already been signed and notices of award issued. Garcia said he still hopes to lead the groundbreaking of these projects before his term ends on June 30.

Garcia said he will also be turning over the new Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) building, whose groundbreaking ceremony he also led.

Garcia said these projects already have corresponding contracts, and he is hoping that these will be continued.

To focus on the transition, Garcia said he has appointed Cebu City Administrator Kristine Joyce Batucan to lead the transition team.

As for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), particularly the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels, Garcia said its bidding has already concluded. It is now under post-qualification phase.

Garcia said he will be signing the contract, before turning it over to the new administration.

Garcia also expressed hope that the 4PH housing program, the transitional housing, the Guba Community Hospital, and the Barangay Health Facility Center, among others, will also be continued.

Looking back, Garcia said he served as acting mayor for six months and as a full-pledged mayor for another six months, totaling about one year as the city’s top official.

Last Monday, the canvassing of Cebu City votes concluded, and city mayor-elect, incumbent Councilor Nestor Archival, was proclaimed the winner. His running mate, Tomas Osmeña, was also proclaimed as vice mayor-elect.

Garcia also ran for the mayoral post, but lost to Archival. — /JG (FREEMAN)