Philippines’ Cebu opens 24/7 public services for BPO workers
CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Government services in Cebu, Philippines are no longer confined to a 9-to-5 schedule as the local government officially launched the Cebu City 24/7 Service, also known as ‘Mayor of the Night’, aimed at providing public services to night-shift workers, particularly those in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.
According to a report from Insider PH, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said operations will begin in mid-March once the office interiors are fully set up.
24/7 government services for night-shift BPO workers
Located at Cebu Exchange Tower in Barangay Lahug, the 24-hour facility will host key city departments alongside 10 national government agencies, including the Philippine Social Security System, PhilHealth, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Department of Labor and Employment.
“This is a big step for the city. Our aim is to bring government services closer to the people, especially to night-shift workers and those in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) who work in the evening,” Archival said.
Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who proposed the program, is leading preparations for its operations. While each national agency will cover the costs of their assigned staff, a city government team will oversee overall operations, ensuring services run smoothly during evening hours.
Philippines’ first ‘Mayor of the Night’ initiative
Cebu City 24/7 Service was established under Executive Order No. 27 Series of 2025, mandating a one-stop shop that allows employees working night shifts, such as hospital staff and BPO workers, to access government services that are normally available only during the day.
The initiative reflects Cebu City’s recognition as the “BPO Capital of the South,” housing more than 300 BPO operators that employ at least 270,000 people outside Metro Manila.
The City Council allocated a PHP 5.1-million (US$85,527) budget to fund the facility lease, set to run from February 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.
Lease agreements with Eklestos Estates Inc. cover two units in Cebu Exchange Tower, located in front of Cebu IT Park, the city’s 27-hectare business hub with the largest concentration of BPO offices.
Representatives from participating agencies and BPO companies including TechMahindra, TTEC, Conduent, and others attended the signing ceremony, highlighting strong private-sector support.
As the global outsourcing industry continues to expand, Cebu City establishes a modern solution for its workforce requirements by providing public services which night-shift workers can access without interruption.
By aligning government operations with the schedules of BPO and other night-focused sectors, the city strengthens its position as a competitive hub in the international outsourcing landscape.
