Garcia, Archival meet; smooth turnover assured

CEBU, Philippines — A formal meeting between the transition teams of outgoing Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and incoming Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. marked the start of the city’s official transition process, with both sides laying out guidelines and affirming their commitment to a smooth turnover of leadership.

Archival visited the executive department of Cebu City Hall yesterday alongside his transition team, which includes former Cebu City Administrator Engr. Paul Villarete and outgoing Councilors Mary Ann de los Santos and Joy Augustus Young.

The transition meeting was attended by Garcia’s team, led by Cebu City Administrator Atty. Kristine Joyce Batucan and composed mostly of department heads. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) facilitated the session.

It was the first face-to-face encounter between Archival and Garcia since the elections. Archival expressed gratitude for the outgoing mayor’s cooperation.

“Nindot kaayo ang meeting, and Mayor Raymond is very cooperative sa iyang mga pronouncement nga he is going to do whatever he can para ma ensure nga smooth at the same (time) nga maka help siya sa atong administration,” Archival said.

He also noted that Garcia offered to provide advice and support throughout the transition.

While leadership changes are expected, Archival said current department heads will remain for now. He admitted that some adjustments may be made in the coming months, but added that officials who perform well may be retained.

He also revealed plans to appoint new individuals to key positions, including City Administrator and Legal Officer, with official announcements to be made soon.

Archival emphasized the need to evaluate the city’s financial standing before making decisions about staffing.

“Unsaon nato pag continue if there are no funds nga ma sweldo,” he said, revealing that at least 100 employees had not yet received their salaries.

The incoming administration plans to reassess employees' functions and job descriptions to determine who will be retained.

“We will be very transparent,” Archival said.

In a separate interview, Garcia reported that Cebu City Hall currently has 7,462 employees: 2,962 casual, 2,268 job order, 1,582 regular, 187 coterminous, and about 63 contractual workers. He stressed that the current number is appropriate for a city as large as Cebu.

“We had no problem with the panweldo aning atong mga empleyado ever since before,” Garcia said, adding that salary issues usually stem from employees working without valid appointments.

Garcia also noted that an assessment of city assets to be turned over is still underway.

Reflecting on the transition meeting, Garcia shared Archival’s optimism.

“I am willing to assist, I am willing to help. Tawaga lang ko…mutabang gyud ko,” he said.

Archival said he will soon move into the mayor’s office in the executive building—vacant since former mayor Michael Rama’s dismissal. Garcia had opted to use the Vice Mayor’s Office during his term.

In the meantime, Archival’s team will use the executive building’s conference room for transition work.

During the meeting, Councilor Young warned of the possibility that critical data might be wiped from city government systems, potentially forcing the new administration to start from scratch. Archival said department heads were instructed to ensure all data is preserved.

“Because it will be very difficult for us, kami nga nag sunod sa pagkuha sa mga dokumento,” said Archival.

He noted that previous transitions faced similar problems, which hindered continuity.

Garcia echoed the concern, saying such hitches are common during the transition phase.

“We will try to make it as smooth and as seamless as possible,” Garcia said. — (FREEMAN)