Archival outlines Cebu City priorities for 2026

Mayor Nestor Archival on Tuesday said his administration will focus on accelerating development, strengthening disaster preparedness, and improving basic services in 2026 as part of the city government’s development agenda.

Archival said the Cebu City government is prioritizing health, housing, climate resilience, education, and waste management as key areas of focus for the coming year.

In the health sector, Archival said the expansion of the Cebu City Medical Center is targeted for completion by December 2026. He said he plans to meet with the project contractor to ensure that construction activities are accelerated and remain on schedule.

Housing and relocation programs will also be expanded, particularly for residents living along riverbanks and those displaced by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi).

Archival said the city plans to establish medium-rise building relocation sites to provide safer and more sustainable housing options for affected families. He added that the proposed Lorega–San Miguel condominium project remains under review.

To address flooding concerns and improve food security, Archival said the city is planning to plant 250,000 trees in 2026. He said the tree-growing initiative is intended to strengthen climate resilience and help mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.

Disaster preparedness will continue to be a major focus of the administration. Archival said ongoing bridge projects and riverbank reinforcement efforts in flood-prone communities will be sustained in 2026.

He also proposed the installation of rainwater catchment systems in barangay gymnasiums starting February 2026 to ensure access to emergency water supply during disasters and to help reduce flooding.

Archival said funding for the rainwater catchment systems will partly come from barangay aid, in coordination with national government agencies.

Education will remain a priority for the city government, with plans to adopt and expand scholarship programs to support deserving students across Cebu City, Archival said.

The mayor also said his administration will intensify the enforcement of waste segregation as part of efforts to address the city’s garbage problem.

The initiative will start in public schools and will include the renewed implementation of the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy under City Ordinance 2031, which mandates waste segregation at the source.

Archival said proper implementation of the waste management program could serve as a model for other local government units.

He said 2026 will be focused on delivering tangible results, improving public services, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth for Cebu City.