Genuine 24/7 government services for our people

On the second floor of Cebu Exchange Tower in Lahug is the 24/7 government services (also known as “Mayor of the Night.”)

A brainchild of Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osme?a, this one-stop center launched last April 6 is intended to make government services accessible anytime, 24/7, to every Cebuano, especially to the “night-shift employees/BPO workers/every Cebuano who deserves access anytime.”

According to Mayor Nestor Archival, “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.”

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

Services available include those from the City Treasurer’s Office, Business Permit and Licensing, CCTO, the Civil Registrar, City Health, PSA (National ID), PhilPost and Philhealth.

These contact details may help those who have further questions about this 24/7 One Stop Government Service hub: (Cell) 0927-744 -4300 and this email link - [email protected].

Two weeks ago, as we were headed home from an early morning appointment at the Cebu Exchange Tower, we were asked if we wanted to check out this 24/7 one stop hub.

Without any plan or schedule to avail of any services, just curious to see where it was, at the entrance, I asked if there was a PhilHealth Yakap desk inside.

Immediately, Mr. Mark Edison guided us to the PhilHealth section and there, Ms. Judai patiently answered our inquiries, made us sign some forms and within some 15-20 minutes, our Yakap application was completed! We were advised to wait for a PhilHealth communication soon related to our Yakap application!

Wow, we did not expect that quick processing at all!!!

Across the PhilHealth desk was the PSA National ID section.

Since we were already there, we decided to also follow up our National ID which we applied for years back but have not yet, to date, received any communication at all.

As seniors were prioritized, my husband got a copy of this National ID within less than 15 minutes. My name did not register in their computer list so I was advised to check if I still had my National ID application receipt or return to recheck if their notice sent to PSA about my ID not being available has been responded to.

(Note: I got my national ID details when I returned to this desk before 8 a.m., a week after - again, an unexpected quick response!)

Impressed about the speedy processing of our service requests, we asked for more details about this one-stop hub.

Mark introduced us to Ms. Nanette Garong, Program-in-Charge of the 24/7 Government Services who shared that they are able to service about 100 clients per day.

Despite budget/personnel constraints, Ms. Nanette said they are trying their best to extend the 24/7 services, at the quickest time possible, to more people.

She shared that she/others assigned to this one-stop 24/7 hub had to be ready to go to work early in the morning or very late at night, especially when assigned OJTs will suddenly be absent, often, without prior notice and not report for work during their assigned time schedule.

During our first visit, we noticed about more than 30 clients mostly seated, waiting for their turn to be serviced. Some of those waiting were carrying young children.

With another room being prepared to service more clients, we suggested that maybe, a child-minding area can be assigned as a more productive/protective space for children.

We also suggested a dialogue/agreement with CSOs/other partners for a network of volunteers/and resource-sharing, to augment the present limited City Hall OJTs/budget, for quicker services for more people!

Padayon/salamat, VM Tommy/Mayor Nestor, for this laudable 24/7 genuine pro-people initiative!