The first few days of any new mayor’s term are always telling. It’s when tone is set, priorities are hinted at, and the early mood of the city is shaped.
In the case of Dumaguete City, Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria has chosen to begin not with a purge, but with kindness.
On his first day in office, the Mayor made two announcements that may seem simple, but are actually significant acts of leadership. First, he declared that all Job Order workers will be given a two-month extension while being evaluated. In many local government units — and certainly in the political culture Dumaguete has known — JO workers aligned with the outgoing administration are usually let go immediately to make room for loyalists of the incoming one. Instead, Mayor Sagarbarria chose continuity and fairness over partisanship.
Second, he moved to standardize the wages of JO workers, bringing relief and a sense of dignity to many who have long been underpaid despite doing essential work. This is not just a symbolic gesture. It’s a structural change that benefits the City’s most vulnerable government workers — those with the least job security, and often the least political clout.
He also pledged that financial aid from the City will be given to any Dumagueteño in need, regardless of political affiliation. This, too, is a quiet but powerful break from old-style politics, where help was often tied to political loyalty. By opening the doors of assistance to every resident, Mayor Sagarbarria is sending the message that service is not a reward for support, but a right of citizenship.
Of course, this honeymoon period will not last long. Dumaguete faces serious challenges that go beyond goodwill. Infrastructure needs improvement, traffic continues to worsen, job creation must be accelerated, and social services need to be more responsive.
Moreover, the new Mayor will have to review — and likely undo — some policies and practices of the previous administration that no longer serve the City’s best interest. This won’t always be popular, and not every decision will earn applause.
But if these early steps are any indication, Mayor Sagarbarria intends to face these challenges not with vengeance, but with compassion, and a clear sense of duty. This is leadership that heals rather than divides. Leadership that listens before it acts. In a political landscape often defined by abrupt transitions and hard resets, a gentle, inclusive approach may be exactly what Dumaguete needs.
For now, the City watches. Hopeful. Cautiously optimistic. Ready to work — and perhaps, ready to believe again.
