Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia ‘Cindi’ King-Chan marked her first 100 days in office with a comprehensive report on her administration’s achievements in health, education, tourism, infrastructure, and social services-underscoring her vision of a compassionate and united government.
Speaking before city officials and employees at the session hall yesterday, October 22, Mayor Chan thanked her predecessor and husband, former mayor and now Lapu-Lapu City Representative Junard ‘Ahong’ Chan, Vice Mayor Celsi Sitoy, and the City Council for what she described as a ‘smooth and seamless’ transition of leadership.
‘We remain one administration-united in mission, direction, and purpose, which is to serve Lapu-Lapu City with compassion, integrity, and commitment,’ she said.
Medical services
In a 50-minute speech, Mayor Chan reported that the city has expanded medical services at the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital with the hiring of additional specialists, including orthopedic and oncologic surgeons, and new obstetrician-gynecologists.
The hospital also opened the Lapu-Lapu City Eye Center, which offers free cataract and pterygium operations. From July to October, 211 beneficiaries have undergone successful cataract surgeries, including a six-year-old girl who regained her sight after a congenital cataract operation.
The Malasakit Center also assisted 4,100 patients amounting to over P21 million in aid, while the Project Smile initiative provided free dentures to 30 beneficiaries. The city likewise established lactation rooms and signed agreements with private hospitals to ensure access to specialized care.
Chan said Lapu-Lapu is the only LGU in Metro Cebu that now offers weekend services for its City Social Welfare and Development Office and Animal Bite Treatment Center, ensuring 24/7 accessibility for urgent cases.
The city also intensified its mental health programs, providing counseling and awareness sessions in schools and barangays. Following the recent earthquake, she directed schools to conduct psychological first aid for students affected by trauma and anxiety.
Education
On education, Chan said her administration is investing ‘not just in infrastructure, but in dreams.’ Through a partnership with Grand Floridian Holdings, a new three-storey building for the Engineering Department of Lapu-Lapu City College broke ground in September.
More than 100,000 students received school supplies, while the city’s e-Library reopened with extended hours until midnight. Over 3,000 public school teachers received P2,000 financial aid in celebration of Teachers’ Month.
She also launched the first-ever Lapu-Lapu City Scholarship Fair, which drew over 3,500 students and 40 partner institutions, with 722 applicants taking on-site qualifying exams.
Despite implementing austerity measures to maximize public funds, Chan said the city maintained its pace of service delivery. She personally leads energy-saving efforts and emphasized digitalization and efficiency in government processes.
The city opened a Mini-City Hall in Olango Island, allowing residents to access key services without traveling to the mainland. Each of the 30 barangays received P500,000 in additional development assistance, while the city launched new livelihood, rehabilitation, and food aid programs.
Chan also inaugurated Metro Cebu’s first Senior Citizens Community Center at Plaza Rizal-a facility offering health checks, fitness activities, and social spaces for elders. A customized vehicle was also turned over for Persons with Disabilities to improve mobility and access to services.
Tourism
Under Chan’s leadership, the city re-established the Lapu-Lapu City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, now composed of 28 active member-companies. The IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu triathlon generated an estimated P150 million in tourism revenue, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a premier sports tourism destination.
Tourism facilities such as the Tourist Rest Area in Olango Island and a Tourist Help Desk at Mactan Shrine were also opened to enhance visitor services and promote local products.
Lapu-Lapu City will host major international gatherings next year, including the ASEAN Tourism Forum in January and the 48th ASEAN Summit in May 2026, further cementing its status as a global meeting hub.
Chan announced that Lapu-Lapu became the first city in Central Visayas to fully fund a Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) housing project using local resources. The five-story socialized housing in Calawisan will house 200 families.
The mayor also revealed plans to build a modern, green, and disaster-resilient City Hall without taking loans, focusing instead on improving revenue collection through tax mapping and efficiency measures.
To address water scarcity, the city approved new desalination plants in Olango Island and Barangay Punta Engaño and continues to support the ‘Libreng Tubig’ and ‘SAWRA ang Ulan’ rainwater catchment programs.
On the environmental front, Chan highlighted a 264% improvement in coastal water quality under the DENR’s Adopt-an-Estero program and the city’s extended ban on single-use plastics. Environmental fees were reduced from P100 to P20 to make them more affordable while maintaining conservation efforts.
Lapu-Lapu City was among the first to respond to the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Bogo City, deploying rescue teams.
One of the highlights of her report was the announcement that the City Government will turn over P1 million in financial assistance this week to each of the eight local government units (LGUs) in Northern Cebu affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake last September 30.
These include Bogo City and the towns of Borbon, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.
In her succeeding years in service, Mayor Cindi vowed to transform the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital into a Level 3 facility, build more classrooms, create more jobs, deliver better services, and address other community concerns.
ASEAN events
Mayor Chan added that in the next 100 days, the city government will be busy preparing for the ASEAN events scheduled for January 2026, which include citywide beautification efforts.
She said she has met with the Clean and Green team to make the city greener, emphasizing that the plants to be used will not necessarily be flowering ones but those that are low-maintenance, heat-resistant, and not too costly.
The mayor said the beautification program aims to make the city something its people can be proud of, especially as it welcomes international guests.
Additionally, she said that this year’s Christmas decorations will be designed to stay up beyond December, featuring lanterns and designs that not only fit the holiday season but also complement the upcoming ASEAN theme-with more floral colors and vibrant designs stretching from the airport to Mactan Newtown.
In an interview, Mayor Chan said that while there have been accomplishments, there is still much to improve and more to achieve in the next two years.
‘Layo pa, but I hope nga sa atong napakita in just three months, mas daghan pa kitang ma-accomplish ug matuman sa atong mga saad in the coming days and years,’ she said.