Rama Urges Continued Construction of PHP1.5-B New Cebu City Hospital

Suspended and outgoing Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants the current administration to continue the construction of the new PHP1.5-billion Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

Rama made the call after Acting Mayor Margarita Osmeña decided to put on hold starting last Monday the construction work on the 10-story facility because the project does not have a building permit yet.

“CCMC should be helped by all. I wish it should not be stalled because time is of the essence to address the plight of the poor,” Rama said.

“I hope that instead of looking for faults, the City Government should be helping rectify the deficiencies for as long as it will not compromise the integrity of the building,” he said.

Rama said he believes that securing a building permit can be done while the construction is ongoing.

“We are not saying we encourage not having a permit. Permits still have to be part of it but please do not jeopardize when we talk about the people’s hospital. Finish it because it is a good project,” he said.

Rama said he didn’t know that the project still doesn’t have a permit, almost one year after construction started.

He said the matter is being handled mainly by the contractor and the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

He said the new hospital will rise on the same lot where the old CCMC was built during the time of incoming mayor Tomas Osmeña’s father, Sergio “Serging” Osmeña Jr.

The old CCMC building, which was damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu and Bohol on Oct. 15, 2013, was torn down to give way for the new building. (PNA) LAP/EB/RSM