Council okays move giving aid to 3 babies

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council adopted the move to give assistance to the three babies who sustained burn injuries when an electric bulb exploded at the pediatric ward of the Cebu City Medical Center early this year.   

The council committee on laws had given Mayor Michael Rama the authority to enter into an agreement with the parents of the children for their financial assistance and scholarship.

Councilor Edgardo Labella, the committee chair, said the indemnification by the city of the children’s injuries is justifiable.

“They (the parents) and their babies suffered damages on account of the accident in CCMC and the city government that owns and operates the hospital, should only be liable for the damage caused by the said accident,” Labella said.

The city legislators are one to approve the memorandum of agreement authorizing the mayor to sign on behalf of the city.

The granting of medical assistance and scholarship to Kean Carl Villarico, Baby Girl Maglasang and Harry Vincent Ibañez is to ensure that their parents will no longer initiate legal actions against the CCMC or the city.

Under the MOA, the city will enroll the children in elementary and high school, and provide college scholarship to them.

The city already spent over P1 million for their hospitalization.

Doctors had to perform skin grafting on the victims, who sustained deformities, particularly to their fingers.

On February 20, a gooseneck lamp installed at the pediatric ward to keep the babies warm accidentally exploded, causing injuries to different parts of their bodies.  (FREEMAN)