Garcia on first month as acting mayor: “Overwhelming and fulfilling”

CEBU, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia described as “overwhelming and fulfilling” his first month as the city’s chief executive following Mayor Michael Rama’s six-month preventive suspension.

Garcia said there is much work to be done at City Hall, and he believes that with the influence the Office of the Mayor wields, he can make a difference in the lives of many.

“As the mayor of the City of Cebu, you have so much influence and you can really make difference in the lives of individuals,” Garcia said.

Among Garcia’s notable accomplishments during his first month as acting mayor include the release of the salaries of four regular employees who were not paid for 10 months.

Garcia also slashed the budget allocation for Palarong Pambansa 2024 from P400 million to P262 million. The P11 million budget for Independence Day celebration was also trimmed down to P3 million.

As acting mayor for the next five more months, barring another possible suspension for Rama, Garcia looks forward to be doing other things to improve the lives of the constituents of the city.

Guided by the principle that “public service cannot wait,” Garcia believes that he can do more while at the helm of the city government.

“I hope it will bear fruit. And in the next six months, hopefully people will look at this as bisan sa six months daghang na buhat ang acting mayor,” he said.

Yesterday, Garcia marked his first month as acting mayor. First Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros also marked his first month as acting vice mayor.

Hontiveros expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve, especially the executive function that Garcia gave him in the committee on sports.

“I find it fulfilling. It is just a blessing that I got to work with you,” he told City Hall employees during the regular Monday flag ceremony at the Plaza Sugbo. — (FREEMAN)