‘Sleepless City Hall’

CEBU, Philippines — A “Sleepless Cebu City Hall” is among the priority programs envisioned for implementation by the new city administration—an initiative that would allow the working class to process necessary documents during evening hours.

This was discussed by Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival in an interview yesterday, May 18, 2025.

Archival said the program was conceived after recognizing that many employees do not have the luxury of processing documents during the day. He added that some even have to take a leave of absence from work.

He credited the concept to his running mate, Vice Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña, and expressed his full support for it.

“Kani nigawas ni (nga concept) because daghan man gud nga concerns sa atong mga tawo gikan sa BPO (Business Process Outsourcing),” said Archival.

He emphasized that these concerns primarily come from BPO employees—approximately 200,000 of them—who, he noted, contribute to at least 50 percent of the city’s economy. Archival further pointed out that this 50 percent corresponds to billions in investments in the BPO sector.

Given this, Archival said it is only fitting that BPO workers, along with others who work during the day, also have access to City Hall services.

“It will not be perfect yet siguro, unahon lang nato ang mga basic services sa city hall,” said Archival.

He explained that once the program has been piloted and refined, they may request national agencies to adopt the same concept. He added that this is part of their long-term goal.

Archival clarified that the Sleepless City Hall is not meant to operate on extended hours alone—it is envisioned to run 24 hours a day.

“Sleepless ba, meaning, walay hunong, this is the main concept,” said Archival.

Although the structure of the program is still being finalized, Archival, who will assume office as the city’s top official in a month, said they intend to implement it as early as possible.

He mentioned that implementation could begin as early as his first day in office, July 1, 2025, and that students are also expected to benefit from the same concept.

Vice Mayor-elect Osmeña also announced on his official Facebook page that he and Archival have already met with leaders of the BPO industry. The meeting tackled the implementation of safe public transportation and guaranteed employment opportunities for graduates.

It also explored ways to create schedules that are conducive for working students—a plan they referred to as “a one-stop shop in IT Park.”

“The BPO industry is unique in that it is the one business where there are more job openings than there are qualified applicants,” said Osmeña.

He further emphasized that the BPO industry generates about P4 billion in monthly salaries, stressing its potential to contribute even more to the local economy.

“Your local government aims to make this potential a reality,” he said.

Osmeña added that their administration will develop ways to promote a progressive and easier life for everyone—“the employees, the aspiring employees, the companies, the clients, the property owners.”

He stressed that the concept presents an opportunity to open doors to gainful employment—something he said is the backbone of a strong economy. (CEBU NEWS)