Tom eyes expanding 'Mayor of the Night' program

Local

CITING surging demand from night-shift workers overwhelms its initial government services setup, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña is planning to expand the 24/7 “Mayor of the Night” hub at IT Park.

Osmeña acknowledged the overwhelming turnout at the pilot site, describing long queues and crowded waiting areas as residents flock to access government services.

Some clients, he said, have traveled from outside the city, including towns like Alegria and Carcar, with others bringing their children and staying overnight due to limited processing capacity.

“It’s like a public market… people are even sleeping on the floor,” he said.

Rather than scaling back, Osmeña said the city is taking the demand as a signal to expand.

The plan now includes setting up a transport terminal near the hub, deploying an initial fleet of around 30 minibuses or modernized jeepneys, and introducing a low-cost grocery outlet within the area.

The proposed transport system is expected to connect Cebu City to nearby localities such as Talisay, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, making it easier for workers and clients to travel even during off-peak hours.

Osmeña also said a nearby property, previously used as a parking area, is being eyed for conversion into a terminal to support the increased volume of commuters.

At the same time, discussions are underway with a private partner to establish a wholesale outlet that could offer essential goods at below-market prices.

Central to the expansion is the city’s focus on the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, which Osmeña described as a critical pillar of the urban economy.

The “Mayor of the Night” initiative is designed to bring government services closer to workers who operate outside regular office hours, allowing them to process documents such as clearances and registrations without disrupting their schedules.

Osmeña said improving access to these services could also help address high attrition rates in the industry.

“We are demand-driven,” he said. “We don’t tell people what we will do—they tell us what they need, and we respond.”

Future additions could include mental health support, recreational activities, and other services depending on public demand.

The vice mayor admitted that the current setup is still in its early stages, with the hub operating under a “soft opening” while construction and installations, such as flooring and air-conditioning, are ongoing.

He also cited manpower constraints, particularly in national ID processing, where only a limited number of personnel have been deployed despite the high volume of applicants.

Even as the city expands services, Osmeña stressed the need for long-term sustainability.

He reiterated his opposition to fully subsidized programs, saying assistance should be targeted rather than permanent.

Despite the logistical challenges, Osmeña maintained that the strong public response affirms the initiative’s value.

“This shows it’s not a waste,” he said. “People are using the services.”(TGP)