CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival defended the safer cities initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG), stressing that the campaign is not “anti-poor” but merely a stricter enforcement of existing local ordinances.
Archival said the initiative introduces nothing new, as the city already has laws regulating drinking and smoking in public places, as well as curfew for minors.
“Dili man ni bag-o. Naa naman tay ordinansa ani. Wala lang nato ma-strictly implement diba,” he said.
The mayor acknowledged public concerns branding the initiative as discriminatory against the poor, particularly in cases involving individuals apprehended for being half-naked in public.
In response, Archival said he reached an agreement with Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Police Col. George Ylanan to adopt a more humane approach—providing clothing to those apprehended instead of immediately penalizing them.
“I think it’s a good idea ang mga pulis magdala sila og sanina preliminary ba kay lisod mag ingon lang ka na ‘anti-poor’,” Archival said.
“Mangita kog paagi…ug naa moy ma donate diha nga sanina, sige, atong ipada sa pulis atong ihatag sa mga tawo nga walay sanina,” he added.
Archival said the city will sustain this approach while encouraging public cooperation.
“Ang ako lang, I think it’s a good idea. We will continue this but in a way nga diplomatic way,” he said. “We should help each other.”
Archival also lauded the CCPO for its intensified operations from April 9 to 13, which recorded 3,901 individuals for various violations.
Curfew violations topped the list, with 962 minors rescued and turned over to barangay officials or social workers. This was followed by 944 individuals reported roaming shirtless in public.
Authorities also recorded 649 cases of smoking and 623 cases of drinking in public places, along with 498 traffic ordinance violations.
Other cases included 123 violations involving illegal structures or road obstructions, 65 other local ordinance violations, 24 karaoke-related violations, and one case of vandalism.
Of the total number of violators, 3,045 were issued warnings and released, while 856 were fined.
Police also collected ₱978,500 in fines from 381 operations conducted under Oplan Bulabog, Oplan Bakal Sita, and Oplan Pakigsandurot.
In a statement, the CCPO said the initiative reflects the police force’s “strategic precision, operational excellence, and steadfast dedication towards a more peaceful and safer Cebu City.”
The DILG initiative has drawn national attention following backlash over the apprehension of a construction worker in Mandaluyong for being shirtless while working outside his home.
In a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla acknowledged lapses in implementation.
“Because of the lack in my explanation, the police have apprehended whoever as long as they had no shirt. That’s wrong. We were wrong there and I take full responsibility.”
Remulla said he would personally apologize to the worker and has ordered a review of the program to establish clearer guidelines and prevent similar incidents.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol & Nicholas Jon Malaga/FPL
