Rama returns, inspects fire-hit barangays, CCMC

CEBU, Philippines —  As he officially returned to work after his two-week leave of absence, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama conducted inspections yesterday in three fire-hit barangays, as well as the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), to know the current status of the said places.

To recall, Rama went on a two-week leave this July to campaign for the presidency of the League of Cities in the Philippines (LCP).

During the LCP’s 69th General Assembly and Election of New Officers last July 21, he was elected unopposed.

Yesterday, Rama first went to Sitio Lawis in Barangay Mambaling which was hit by a massive fire last November 2021 to check on the progress of the reblocking there.

He then visited the June 11 fire scene in sitios Tuburan, Enriquez, Trinidad, Merco, and Arca in Barangay Punta Princesa. After that, he also visited the July 7 fire scene in Sitio Sto. Niño in Barangay Quiot.

The city government stated that reblocking is important so there would be enough space for a road leading to the interior portion of the area. This way, if there are emergencies, firetrucks, ambulances, and other responders can easily penetrate into the inner portions of the community.

But Rama said that he will meet with the city officials to discuss further the intervention they are going to make after seeing the situation at the fire-hit areas.

“Dili lang kay need i-improve (ang area)… the word is ‘paspas’. Paspas gyud kay dili na kapasar sa akoang standards sa tinuoray,” Rama told reporters.

“Kani maoy akong kuyawan. Manukod, unya pagkahuman sunog nasad. Mao nang akong ipaklaro ni nganong ingon ani ni. What I’m telling now, I’m moving for another direction but I’ll do it in the days to come,” he added.

In the afternoon, Rama had his regular inspection at the CCMC.

He first went to the old CCMC building and proceeded to the new hospital building to look over its construction development.

After the inspection, the contractor M. E. Sicat Construction said that they will not be able to finish the last three floors of the new CCMC building on its target date, October 28, as they want to ensure the stability of the 10-story building.

They said that there will be an additional “engineering study” for its further development since the city government and the contractor want to ensure the safety of everyone entering the facility.

The next target date of completion of the new CCMC building is in December or January next year, depending on the progress of the engineering study.

With this, Rama wants that by October 28, the lobby of the hospital would reach his expectations which is the world-class standard.

Last April, the city government issued the Notice to Proceed for the fourth phase of the new CCMC building, where at least P916.8 million was allocated for its completion. — JMD (FREEMAN)