24/7 service hub opens

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has officially launched its round-the-clock Government Service Hub, branded as the “Mayor of the Night.”

This decision comes despite strong criticism from opposition Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover and while there is rising public concern regarding the increase in fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Mayor Nestor D. Archival and Vice Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña led the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony last Saturday at the Cebu Exchange Tower, Salinas Drive.

The initiative, they said, signals the city’s commitment to provide accessible, round-the-clock government services for all Cebuanos. “This is more than just a facility. It is a commitment that the Cebu City Government is always ready to serve, anytime, for every Cebuano,” Archival declared.

In a separate statement, he added: “Serving every Cebuano, even at night. Government should work when you need it most, not just during office hours. That is why we created the Mayor of the Night, designed especially for our hardworking night-shift employees, BPO workers, and every Cebuano who deserves access anytime.”

Vice Mayor Osmeña, who had this program as his brainchild, stressed its adaptive nature. He stated:

“The 24/7 One Stop Shop will be open starting April 6. Services available on Day 1 will include everything from the City Treasurer’s Office, Business Permit and Licensing, CCTO, the Civil Registrar, and City Health. PhilPost and the Philippine National Police will also be there on the first day.

Regional Directors from other national agencies such as LTO, PSA, NBI, Pag-Ibig, PhilHealth were also present and have pledged to extend their support. Soon, you will be able to take care of almost all your needs in one location, at a time that is most convenient to you,” Osmeña posted.

The hub’s launch coincided with Cebu City’s celebration of BPO Day, highlighting the city’s recognition as the “BPO Capital of the South” and honoring the contributions of IT-BPO professionals.

Business leaders such as Cebu Inter-BPO Organizations (CIBO) president Asseem Roy and executive director Buddy Villasis, along with Councilors Winston Pepito, Jose Abellanosa, and Nice Archival, expressed strong support for the initiative.

Alcover opposition

But Alcover has been relentless in his opposition. Even before the City Council approved the program, he questioned its feasibility and necessity. “Archival talks about cost-cutting, yet here he is spending millions for a night mayor program,” Alcover said earlier.

 His criticism intensified after the City Council approved Vice Mayor Osmeña’s March 13, 2026 letter requesting the hiring of 20 project-based personnel to support Executive Order No. 027, Series of 2025.

The resolution authorized ?3,052,984.00 to be charged to the Vice Mayor’s Office Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)—a standard budget category in Philippine government accounting used to cover day-to-day operational costs such as utilities, supplies, communication, rentals, and other expenditures that keep services running.

“Nganong 20 man kabuok? Wala man na sa pagsugod … Mag unsa man na sila didto? Mangatug? Unsa may trabahuon anang 20 ka JOs,” Alcover said in an interview with The Freeman.

 He also noted that Archival and Osmeña said they would invite national agencies like NBI and LTO, but dismissed this as “a deception.”

“There is no memorandum of agreement between the local government and the national agencies. How can you force these people to work at night?” He further pointed out that the MOA signed earlier was not with national agencies but for the lease of the office space.

The timing of the program has also drawn scrutiny in the national context. The Philippine government recently imposed a four-day work week across agencies to conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption, a measure widely seen as a response to the global oil crisis.

Alcover seized on this, arguing that Cebu City should align with national austerity measures instead of expanding spending.

Despite the criticisms, city leaders insist the program will streamline transactions, reduce waiting times, and provide convenience for citizens who cannot access services during regular hours.

 For Archival and Osmeña, the “Mayor of the Night” is a symbol of Cebu City’s vision of becoming a world-class city that “never sleeps.”

For Alcover, however, it remains a costly experiment launched at the worst possible time—when fuel prices are soaring, and the national government itself is cutting back.

Alcover said he would send someone regularly to monitor the situation while also encouraging Cebuanos to visit the hub themselves and see how it operates. (CEBU NEWS)