No response from Palace on P1.5B request for CCMC

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the President still has not responded to the request of the city government for a P1.5 billion aid for the reconstruction of the city hospital, more than a year since the request was made.

This prompted Mayor Michael Rama to write the President through Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Asst. Sec. to the President June De Lantar and Department of Health Acting Sec. Janette Garin to inquire for the status of the request.

“A year has passed already and there has been no progress regarding this request. That’s why I made a follow up for CCMC because maybe the President is unaware of our request. We need the amount for the rebuilding of our hospital,” Rama said.

The original letter was sent to the Office of the President on October 20, 2013, days after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake wrecked the Cebu City Medical Center.  The structure was subsequently demolished in February.

In a letter to the President, Rama said the money generated from the “Piso mo, Hospital Ko” campaign will not suffice, as rebuilding entails a “huge” budget and massive work.

To date, the city has collected about P30 million from the fund drive, which includes the P12.6 million from the Association of Barangay Councils. The amount is on top of the P13.6 million and $36,000 (P1.58 million with an exchange rate of P44 to a dollar).

The city expects to spend P1.5 billion for the new 10-story building.

Rama said De Lantar has promised to facilitate the processing of the financial aid.

“Based on our conversation over the phone, you promised that you will help me bring this concern to the attention of the President. Thus, I would like to earnestly ask you time indulgence to facilitate this request,” the letter to De Lantar reads.

Rama is also hoping that DOH will provide equipment for the hospital, as reportedly promised by former health secretary Enrique Ona.

“I hope this will materialize. I am hoping that you will give attention to this selfless endeavor for the people of Cebu. You help might be the missing part for us to be able to complete the whole CCMC,” Rama’s letter reads.

Design

Architect Mico Espina who made the site development plan for the new CCMC said the design has a “splash of modernism”.

“The design elements were taken from the old CCMC building incorporated in the façade to inculcate a feeling of familiarity among users especially the staff who considered it as their second home. This is paying tribute to the old CCMC,” he said.

The hospital plan features a hanging garden; spacious conference and function rooms; parking areas situated at the hospital’s ground and upper floors;  modernized emergency medical services, security office, mortuary, commercial spaces, supply storage space, housekeeping space, workshops, and a chapel, among others. – Kristine B. Quintas/JMO (FREEMAN)