City to finish CCMC by yearend

CEBU, Philippines — Despite unresolved issues involving previous contractors, work to complete the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) continues, with Mayor Nestor Archival reaffirming his commitment to finish the city hospital by yearend.

Archival inspected the site yesterday ahead of an executive session on Sept. 29, where the City Council is expected to scrutinize project expenditures and findings. He was joined by city engineers and medical officials.

Archival emphasized that the city must be prepared to answer questions regarding the earlier phases of the project.

“By that time, ma-pwestado na nato unsa gyu’y klaro nga manghitabo. As planned, humanon nato sa 2026, December,” he told those who joined the inspection.

He also pointed to ongoing work on structural elements and the possible installation of solar panels.

Archival outlined the project’s immediate priorities.

“Number 1, atong gitan-aw ang possible colors nga sa outside ug sa inside… So hopefully makasugod na sila, first coat at least,” Archival said.

On the construction itself, Archival said work was progressing, although several concerns needed to be addressed immediately.

“So far, okay ra man. Maayo man ang dagan. Ang ako lang concern diri ang katong um mechanical, electrical, plumbing, ug fire protection,” he added.

Archival is also exploring ways to reduce the hospital’s electric bill by installing solar panels.

“Gitan-aw nato nga considering nga ang power sa atong CCMC dako ta’g gibayaran. So ang posibilidad nga atong butangan og solar… para makatabang sa atong pag-minimize sa atong bayranan sa kuryente,” Archival said.

Kenneth Siasar, Archival’s Chief of Staff, who also serves as CCMC administrator, said the city is retrieving all documents related to the hospital’s construction from the start of the project to the present.

“So far ato nakita nga naa’y mga contractor nga wala matagai og termination order gikan sa mayor. Unya wala pud siyay certificate of acceptance sa DPWH. But the question is…Ngano man mi-continue man ta sa another contractor nga wala man makompleto ang uban? So, mao na ato nakita,” Siasar explained.

He said one contractor, whom he did not name, claimed to have spent more than ?100 million, but the city could not make payment because of insufficient documentation.

“Ang nahitabo is na-continue ang construction nga wala malihok ang documents, so karon naglisud ta pagbayad sa maong contractor tungod kay inadequate, insufficient, or lacking documents gyud sa ilang pag-construct anang the first three floors sa atong CCMC during, at the height of COVID,” Siasar said.

Acting City Treasurer Emma Villarete, however, told The Freeman that they had not yet received a demand letter for payment from the previous contractor. She referred questions on the matter to CCMC officials, whom she said were more knowledgeable about the issue.

The lack of termination orders and completion certificates has complicated the city’s dealings with Dakay Construction, which is handling Phase 5.

“Nagpadayon man ta, but naa lang mga areas sa ilahang gipanghimo nga tied up ang ilang hands, for example, kanang atoang electrical connection. Mao na atong problema, no? Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and then kanang sa fire,” Siasar explained.

He said Dakay was hesitant to connect its systems to those installed by previous contractors for fear of being held liable should defects later surface.

The CCMC project has faced repeated delays since the old hospital was demolished in 2014 following the strong earthquake in the Visayas.

Groundbreaking for a new 10-story facility took place in 2015, but progress stalled under several administrations. By 2020, only three floors were partially operational.

In 2022, the city terminated its contract with M.E. Sicat Construction. Subsequent reviews identified ?403 million worth of structural defects.

Construction resumed in 2026 under Dakay Construction for Phase 5, covering floors 4 to 7 with a ?700-million budget. However, unresolved documentation from earlier contractors has emerged as the latest concern, with the city legal office tasked to determine how to reconcile the gaps.

As of September 2026, only the first three floors remain functional, limiting healthcare services despite billions of pesos already spent on the project.

The Commission on Audit has also flagged possible overpricing in earlier phases, adding to concerns surrounding the long-delayed hospital project. (CEBU NEWS)