From businesses in Manila: P1 billion pledges for CCMC

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City has received up to P1 billion worth of “concrete pledges” for the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

This was revealed by the executive team of Mayor Michael Rama during a press conference on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.

Facing the media were architect and engineer Yumi Espina, lawyers Jerone Castillo and Collin Rossel, and the city’s information officer, Cerwin Eviota.

These pledges for CCMC are from companies and individuals and were made during Rama’s recent visit to Manila.

Among those who pledged support for the hospital include business tycoon Manny Pangilinan; Ayala Land, Inc. led by its CEO, Bernard Vincent Dy; Robinson’s Land Corporation through its President and CEO, Frederick Go; Filinvest Land, Inc. Chairman Jonathan Gotianun and President Tristan las Marias; SM Group led by its chairman, Hans Sy; SBS Philippines Corporation, and Filipino and Chinese investors who have asked for anonimity.

These businessmen committed to help complete at least one floor of CCMC. Completion means making that floor functional.

As reported earlier, Pangilinan committed P100 million for one floor, with naming rights.

Rossell said these businessmen pledged support with “no strings attached,” which means that the hospital will be run and operated solely by the city government.

These businessmen and corporations have also reportedly expressed interest to do business in Cebu City.

As of this writing, only two floors of the 10-story CCMC building are functional, Espina said. These two floors are mainly for diagnostics.

Espina said they expect the third and fourth floors to be functional by October 2022.

The third floor is designed to house the operating room and delivery room while the fourth floor will house the intensive care unit (ICU). The fifth floor will serve as the “nerve center” or the administrative level.

The sixth to the 10th floor will house other departments.

The old CCMC building was demolished for sustaining major damage during a massive earthquake in Central Visayas in 2013.

Construction of the current building began in 2015 but hit a snag when Rama lost in the 2016 elections. When he got a fresh term as mayor in the May 2022 polls, Rama vowed to complete the building.

He envisions for the new CCMC to cater to the poor with services comparable to those offered in private hospitals.

He also wants CCMC to be one of the specialty hospitals that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. wants to establish across the country.

Rama said he wants the 10-story structure to be functional fully before his term as mayor ends in 2025.

Recently, Rama challenged the management, personnel, and those working in the construction of CCMC to do what is expected of them – or get out – as he cannot work with people who are not in sync with him and his vision. – JMO (FREEMAN)