It’s for Operation Smile: Ongoing construction in CCMC legal

CEBU, Philippines — The ongoing construction inside the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) is for the Operation Smile facility while a tripartite agreement for the donation drive coursed through the Cebu Medical Society (CMS) is being pushed, this according to acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Previously, the members of the City Council scrutinized the alleged ongoing construction of the CCMC despite having no bidding or a contractor awarded with the project yet through an executive session last August 15.

However, Garcia clarified that what is going on now is the construction of the Operation Smile facility. It was disclosed that the ?700-million rebidding for the 3rd until 7th floor has been halted following the request of the City Council to solve first the issue hounding the CCMC.

The 8th to 10th floors will be constructed through the donation drive coursed through the CMS.

“So if you will go there you will really see construction because they also have their deadlines,” said Garcia referring to the construction of the Operation Smile facility which is located at the 7th floor.

It was also discussed during the executive session that the ongoing construction being observed has Dakay Construction as its contractor. Garcia however cannot confirm such.

When asked if he is open to further halting the rebidding of the CCMC construction as requested by the City Council, Garcia said that he can no longer prolong the completion adding that they have already complied with what has been asked by the council.

“Nangayo naman sila og presentation. Nangayo na sila og breakdown, and then no less than the city engineer niadto didto made the presentation og pila nay nagasto….so I think nahatagan na g’yud nato og information ang Cebu City Council and as such it really requires na g’yud to finish as soon as possible the CCMC,” said Garcia.

“So ipadayon gyud nato na atong bidding,” he added.

As for the ongoing donation drive to finish the 8th to 10th floors of CCMC, Garcia said he already asked for a report to consolidate all the money that came in.

He also admitted that there is a lack of tripartite agreement on the said donations between the city government, the CCMC, and the private donors.

Currently, Garcia said that he already directed to finish the tripartite agreement so that the City Council can give the city mayor the authority to sign on behalf of the city. —/BRP (FREEMAN)