Mayor backs hiring of experts for CCMC

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival supports the proposal to hire independent consultants to finish the long-delayed Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), saying the hospital's decade-long construction setbacks and technical deficiencies require outside expertise.

The proposal was raised by City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee.

“Oo, nag support sad ko ana, considering nga gusto man gyud nako na mahuman na gyud ang atoang CCMC. For the last 10, 12 years, wa pa man gyud na nahuman,” Archival told reporters, stressing that the project can no longer be left to chance.

Archival said the current contract with Dakay Construction is merely a continuation of work previously handled by four different contractors, creating uncertainty over whether earlier installations complied with required standards.

“Ang problema ana is ang kanang gitrabaho, sakto ba? Mao na, they realized karon nga naa’y uban nga dili mopasar,” he said.

The mayor said the Department of Health has instructed engineers to conduct tests on the building's existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems before these are integrated with the remaining works.

“Ingon ang DOH… ayaw na ninyog ilisdi, but make sure nga matesting ninyo,” Archival emphasized, adding that the test results must first be submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA) before the project can move forward.

Despite ongoing construction, Archival admitted he is not optimistic that the city can meet its October 2026 completion target.

“Di gyud ko kampante sa October because we understand nga dili man gani ni bag o nga project. This is an old project nga gitrabaho sa upat ka kontraktor. Nya this one, ang kanang gihimo ni Dakay is just a continuation,” he said.

He disclosed that the City Engineering Office has already granted Dakay Construction an additional 145 days to complete the required testing and obtain COA clearance.

To fund the proposed independent consultants, Archival said the city may seek a supplemental budget since no allocation was included in the current appropriations.

“Wa man ta’y budget sa kanang gibutang ani last year, pwede siguro makakuha ta’g supplemental. Atong butang nato didto, but this is not big. Dili kaayo na dako,” Archival said.

He added that while architectural work continues to progress, the project's biggest challenge remains its unfinished engineering systems.

“Ang dako is electrical og mechanical, including plumbing. Mao ni ang wa mag move,” he said.

Tumulak has repeatedly urged the city government to secure independent technical oversight, warning that the absence of professional consultants could lead to further delays and additional audit findings.

“Healthcare is not merely another government service. It is a fundamental right,” Tumulak said during a City Council session, noting that more than ?2 billion has already been spent on the project while only three floors are operational.

Other councilors have echoed Tumulak's concerns and called for stronger oversight to finally complete the hospital. (CEBU NEWS)