Garcia hits back at Archival: Help rather than make issues

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has challenged Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. to help improve the city's mushroom cultivation program instead of criticizing it as "vote-buying" and turning it into a political issue.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo /ATO

In a press conference yesterday, April 7, 2025, Garcia shrugged of Archival's earlier remarks on the mushroom cultivation program under the Livelihood Programs initiative, where he accused it as means for "vote-buying."

"Para kanako ba, it's political season and they are of course entitled to their own entertainment. If he says something like that, iya ng katungod," said Garcia, who is seeking reelection this May 2025 elections, and with Archival as one of his opponents.

Garcia, instead, urged Archival to fulfill his mandate as a public servant and to help the beneficiaries with proper guidelines for cultivation. Archival is also known to grow mushrooms himself.

"Makatabang pa ka. Instead, mag sige lang ta og paghot. Mas makatabang og siya mismo ang mutudlo sa atong mga beneficiaries," said Garcia.

According to him, there have been living testimonies of success stories from mushroom cultivation in Barangay Budlaan.

The city's Public Information Office, shared testimonies of several beneficiaries, particularly from the Kapasar Homeowners Association in Barangay Budlaan, about their mushroom growing and how they planned to utilize their produce.

Garcia added that Archival's expertise would be a valuable insight for the beneficiaries if he agrees to help.

While Garcia did not directly question Archival's intentions, he suggested that the political climate may have influenced his remarks.

"Everybody wants to topple the frontrunners," Garcia remarked.

"Sa ako ng giingon over and over again, ang punoan nga daghang bunga mao may bato-on.