‘Peaceful elections’ among execs wishes

CEBU, Philippines — A peaceful midterm elections is what Cebu City officials hope for in the New Year.

The upcoming elections in May is one of the highly anticipated events in 2025. Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia, who is up for re-election, said there is still much to do for Cebu City. Garcia, who assumed the mayoralty post after the elected mayor, Michael Rama, was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman due to nepotism, wants to continue what he had started.

According to Garcia, he intends to continue his diplomacy policy in dealing with controversies involving the city. He said such an approach has yielded positive results, particularly in the relationship between the Cebu City Government, Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), and Cebu Port Authority (CPA).

“Our diplomacy is bearing fruit,” said Garcia.

Aside from this, Garcia also hopes for the resolution of the issue involving occupants of the 93-1lots. The mayor said there is now a big possibility that the issue will be resolved with finality after forging an agreement with the Cebu Provincial Government.

“Dili ta mag sige’g pangaway kay wala tay maani ana,” said Garcia.

For Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, he hopes that Cebu City will be united in its “purpose.” He wishes that political differences will be set aside, and the focus will shift to what “truly matters.”

“I dream of a year where young people are encouraged to speak up, shine in sports, enhance their skills, and access quality education because they are the foundation of our future,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros also hopes for more job opportunities for Cebuanos across industries, supported by the “trust and investments of the business community.”

Councilor Noel Wenceslao also bids farewell to 2024, bearing hopes that 2025 will be a more fruitful and vibrant year for Cebu City.

For Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, a peaceful elections is what she is hoping for the year 2025. She also hopes for the city’s economy to improve.

Councilor James Anthony Cuenco also hopes that the city will remain peaceful during Sinulog, and that the campaign period will proceed smoothly up until the election day.

“I wish for more economic prosperity for the city, and a more stable local government, which is devoid of, you know, politics,” said Cuenco.

Cuenco, who also serves as the chairman of the committee on transportation at the city council, likewise hopes that traffic conditions in Cebu City will improve. To achieve this, he added, he hopes that the city will explore more transportation options for the commuting public in the absence of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), which, to him, has long been “overdue.”

Councilor Philip Zafra, chairman of the committee on peace and order, also hopes that peace and order will be maintained in 2025. He also hopes that in 2025, the Cebu City Government can finally set up the command center and equip responders in the most advanced way possible. — (FREEMAN)