Mayor Garcia defends City Hall's fiscal health

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has dismissed concerns that the city is facing a budget deficit, citing a recent recognition from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) as proof of sound fiscal management under his administration.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo and Joseph Adrian Leyson, CNU Intern/ATO

This comes as Garcia, who is currently on leave, announced in a tele-press conference Wednesday that Cebu City ranked first in collection efficiency of local revenue among local governments in Region 7. He said this serves as a vindication of his leadership amid criticism.

“Kaning recent nga acknowledgement from BLGF is just a validation of our sound financial stewardship,” he stressed.

Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival has previously raised concern that he may inherit a budget deficit from the previous administration after his initial review of the city’s statement of accounts.

Sought for his reaction on this matter, Garcia responded that Archival’s assessment is considered “premature.”

“Iyang assessment is just based on istorya-istorya without talking to our treasurer’s office,” he remarked.

According to Garcia, sound fiscal management is the “backbone” of good governance, ensuring that public funds are allocated efficiently.

For Cebu City in particular, he explained that efficient budgeting supports the sustenance of social service programs, livelihood services, and infrastructure.

He further said that when he assumed office as acting mayor and eventually in a permanent capacity, one of his key initiatives was focusing on efficient tax collection rather than increasing tax rates.