Nestor hits dole-outs

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. has raised concerns about the series of financial assistance programs recently implemented by the Cebu City government, stressing thatgovernment resources may have been used as a political tool to gain an advantage in the upcoming elections.

This came after he alleged that certain budgetary allocations of the city had been realigned for livelihood support.

In an interview with The Freeman yesterday, Archival revealed that funds originally intended for Parks and Playgrounds, amounting to approximately P120 million, had been realigned.

“Karon sa akong nahibaw-an didto sa mga tawo sa Parks (and Playgrounds Department), wala naman kuno daw diha ang kwarta, these are some information that I got,” said Archival.

He noted that this prompted him to file a resolution, which the council recently approved, calling for an executive session to trace the budgetary allocations for the recent dole-outs. Archival specifically pointed out that the executive branch had recently announced that 9,000 individuals would receive P4,000 each in aid.

“Wa man mi kahibaw asa ni gibutang budget-ta sa 2025, nga ang 2025 wala pa baya na siguro na kuan ready and budget karon,” he said.

Archival suspects that these funds may have been sourced from the 2024 appropriations and possibly from other departments. He also emphasized the need for transparency, as no proposal for budget realignment has allegedly passed through the legislative table.

“Mao ng na alarm mi kay ang uban nga mga services dili na nato mahatag kay ihatag man nila og cash padung sa mga tawo nga para nako wa gyuy gamit,” he added.

Archival, who is running for mayor in the midterm elections, personally believes these financial assistance programs are being used as a political tool to "buy" votes. He also expressed concern over the unclear categorization of these financial aids, raising the possibility of political motives behind them.

The dole-out system has been of the reasons for heated discussions in the City Council, particularly during the deliberation of the annual budget, which resulted in the reduction of funds allocated for livelihood and other "pro-poor" programs.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia defended the dole-out system, arguing that it is essential to allocate at least P100 million for livelihood or economic grants that the people need.

Garcia highlighted his administration’s plan to provide free school uniforms, bags, and supplies to public school students. The initial budget for this was P500,000 but was later reduced. He stated that his proposal aimed to be a “balanced budget” that considered various factors, including infrastructure, pro-poor programs, and agriculture.

However, Archival remains skeptical, stating that no dole-out program in Cebu City has shown long-term success.

“Igo ra gyud ta nihatag, wa gyud ta kabalo unsay feedback,” said Archival.

He also questioned why financial assistance is still being given to individuals affected by Typhoon Odette, which struck nearly three years ago. Archival argued that there is no clear report on the beneficiaries, and many residents still seek clarification on how to apply for livelihood support.

Given these concerns, he views the dole-outs as an advantage for the incumbent administration in the upcoming 2025 elections. Archival also pointed to alleged asphalting projects in barangays as another potential political maneuver.

“Mao ni klaro nga para nako, gigamit nila ang resources sa gobyerno para mu dako ilang puntos in a way,” he said.

To address these issues, Archival’s approved resolution calls for an executive session to thoroughly discuss the city’s budget allocations and improve livelihood programs.

The session will invite representatives from the City Budget Office, the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS), the Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD), the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP), the Division of the Urban Poor (DWUP), and other relevant city offices to assess the programs, identify challenges, and develop solutions to maximize their impact.

Garcia seeks business sector support

Meanwhile, ahead of the official start of the campaign period for local elections, Mayor Garcia has appealed to Cebuano businessmen for their continued support to sustain his leadership and vision for an action-driven city.

Speaking during the Philippine Economic Briefing: Navigating 2025, organized by the Cebu City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cebu City government at the City Sports Club over the weekend, Garcia emphasized Cebu’s status as a premier investment destination in the Asia-Pacific region.

In his speech, Garcia said Cebu remains the gateway to the Philippines and a natural hub for commerce, logistics, and trade.

“Our location alone gives us access to key markets, both domestic and international, making Cebu the ideal place to start, expand, and grow your business,” Garcia said, as shared by the City’s Public Information Office.

Garcia highlighted that Cebu remains the country’s richest province, with steady growth over the years, achieving a trillion-peso GDP in 2023 and an 8.3 percent growth rate for Cebu City, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“This economic resilience reflects the vibrancy of our industries—tourism, manufacturing, IT and business process outsourcing (BPO), real estate, and agriculture, to name a few. Even during global uncertainties and the COVID-19 pandemic, Cebu’s economy has shown unparalleled adaptability and strength, contributing significantly to our nation’s progress,” he said.

Garcia also pointed out Cebu’s highly skilled workforce, citing top-performing educational institutions such as USC, USJR, CIT-U, UC, UP Cebu, Cebu Doctors’ University, and Cebu Institute of Medicine.

“When you invest in Cebu, you are not only investing in infrastructure but in a pool of talent capable of propelling your businesses forward,” Garcia stressed.

During his tenure as a city councilor in 2019, Garcia said he pushed for business-friendly policies, including a local ordinance extending the validity of business permits to two years and a tax amnesty ordinance. Upon assuming the mayoralty, he signed an executive order implementing a national law granting relief to real property taxpayers.

“Continuing to recognize the need for ease of doing business, my administration has always endeavored towards such ends, and if my words are not enough, I do hope that the results will speak for themselves,” Garcia said.

Garcia also took pride in his diplomatic approach, fostering good relations with the Cebu Port Authority, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District, and the Cebu Provincial Government, led by his aunt, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

He further credited his administration’s decision to bring the Sinulog Festival back to the heart of the city, which he said has boosted the local economy, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

With a strengthened relationship with the provincial government, Garcia stated that it “unlocked the possibilities and potential of a united Cebu working hand in hand for a stronger and economically dominant Cebu.”

Looking ahead, Garcia assured the business sector that more policies would be crafted to make Cebu City not just a better place to do business but an irresistible one.

“As I stand before you today, I humbly ask for your continued trust and support,” he said while laying out his economic vision.

“I hope to lead Cebu City into a new era of action-driven leadership that values diplomacy, accountability, and results… My vision is clear: by supporting businesses of all sizes—from microenterprises to multinational corporations—we can ensure that Cebu City remains the shining beacon of progress in the Philippines,” Garcia stressed. (CEBU NEWS)