Mike, Cutie clash over Guba hospital

CEBU, Philippines - Another clash of beliefs and ideas is starting to heat up between Mayor Michael Rama and Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, this time over who shall manage the Guba Emergency Hospital.

Rama yesterday scheduled an emergency meeting with concerned department heads and consultants to clarify why the proposal to turn over the management of Guba Hospital to another agency was revived.

He said the matter was settled a long time ago and it was already agreed that city government will keep running the hospital in the mountain barangay of Guba.

“I want to know if naa ba’y nausab, nganong na-revive man na?” Rama said.

He said he wants to be further enlightened on the fiscal aspect of the proposed deal and whether or not the city government will still put money in the hospital if management is turned over to the national government.

Del Mar reportedly wants to turn over the management of Guba hospital to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center where she can course her Priority Development Assistance Fund for the maintenance and other operating expenses of the facility.

VSMMC’s part shall be in the holistic management of the hospital while the city’s role is to appropriate funds for the hospital’s operation, maintenance and personal services.

“Nganong di na lang sila muhatag diretso sa CCMC?” Rama said.

The Guba hospital is under the direct management of the Cebu City Medical Center. Its budget comes from the allocation of the CCMC from the city government.

If the city turns over the facility, Rama said it would appear that the city government is giving up.

The Guba hospital has recently undergone a major rehabilitation and renovation using the money donated by the Department of Health.

The city government has allocated another budget for the purchase of new equipment which has yet to be delivered.

Guba Hospital caters to patients from the mountain barangays who have less access to the health facilities in the urban area.

Meanwhile, CCMC turned 50 today with the theme “50 years of unending care.”

Rama said he is willing to increase the budget of the city-owned hospital to devote more efforts to the thrust of his administration for improved health services to Cebu City constituents.

Rama said CCMC must prepare a proposal that they will use to defend the budget to the council this month. The 2012 Annual Budget is expected to be discussed this month.

CCMC was allocated P211 million this year and wants it doubled to P500 million next year. (FREEMAN)