Rama blocks ‘premature’ use of CCMC

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama is suggesting to the executive department to “put on hold any bidding of any amount” with regard to the construction of the new Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) building.

It was earlier reported that the city government is set to award next week the P100-million contract for the completion of the first three floors of the new CCMC building, which has been under construction since 2015.

CCMC Administrator Yvonne Cania said the city is aiming to accommodate 150 patients on these floors. She said CCMC will only accommodate city residents positive for coronavirus after all the quarantine centers are in full capacity.

"Let's first put on hold anything at this point in time and discuss it on a table with people who are concerned," said Rama.

Rama said the 10-storey CCMC is envisioned as a globally competitive hospital.

"Mao na nga right now mao na ang akong position. I would like to bring, whoever may have said that three floors atoang unahon, di na pwede. Mag-civil work ka sa three floors, buhaton nimog hospital. Magamit ang three floors, tiwason nimo ang 10th floor. I mean, it doesn't sound correct... Dili mana makumpleto ang hospital kung three floors lang," said Rama.

Rama said the entire P700 million dedicated for the new CCMC building should be utilized to finish it.

Last month, Mayor Edgardo Labella sought the approval of a P1.5-billion third supplemental budget to set aside funds for the completion of the CCMC, but only P500 million was granted by the City Council. There is an existing P200 million allocated for CCMC.

"As I was sharing with the mayor that we should address, finish first the seventh floor up to the 10th floor. Then, put all this money then later kung kuwang then we will add up until the so-called need to complete it to become globally competitive," said Rama.

Rama said he discussed with a group of architects and they were presenting their concerns.

He explained the first three floors only include the function of emergency room, outpatient department, diagnostics and laboratory, among others, and patients cannot be admitted there since the function do not include a proper inpatient department, patient rooms and wards.

"The hospital can no longer function as a temporary facility without sacrificing the whole structure due to the infectious nature. Kay kung ang atong tuyo is just to address COVID, nya magbuhat tag three, it may not be sound and advisable," Rama said.

"We are better off in converting other existing structures such as gymnasium, hotels or any other purpose kung ang atoang giatubang karon is to address the present challenge," he added.

Rama also said that they are still yet to assess what the previous administration finished in the new CCMC building construction.

"Ato gyu'ng klarohon nga ang need karon dili man ang paghuman diha dayon, kun dili more facilities that should be available," he said.

The city government started constructing the new CCMC in 2015 during the administration of Rama when he was still mayor.

In 2014, Rama ordered the demolition of the old CCMC building after it was declared unsafe following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu and Bohol in October 2013.

Rama was defeated in the 2016 mayoralty race by Tomas Osmeña, who had also failed to complete the building before he lost to Labella in the 2019 elections.  JMD (FREEMAN)