CCMC donors told: Redirect funds to City Hall

CEBU, Philippines — Following the revelation of former Mayor Mike Rama that private donors for the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) have already withdrawn their pledges, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is now hopeful that the funds will be rerouted directly to Cebu City Hall.

This was the challenge posed by Garcia during a news forum yesterday (Wednesday), May 7, 2025.

“If they withdrew, then I hope that they will donate it now directly to the Cebu City Government,” said Garcia.

While Garcia acknowledged that the donation drive was initiated before his term, he suggested that former Mayor Rama should address the reasons behind the withdrawal of these donations.

It can be recalled that former Mayor Rama, who initiated a donation drive to complete the CCMC, revealed that several private entities withdrew their pledges for the project.

When Rama sat down with The Freeman’s “Know Your Candidate,” he vowed to fast-track the completion of the CCMC within two months if reelected as mayor.

He stressed that this would be possible through the help and pledges of the private sector, citing a People-Privately-Driven Governance program.

Upon his unexpected exit from office after he was dismissed from government service, the donation drive became a subject of heated discussion, while Mayor Garcia called for the redirection of these donations to City Hall instead.

Rama, on the other hand, called on the private sector not to route their donations directly to City Hall, as it may be labeled as an “attraction,” which he did not elaborate on further.

According to Rama, the partnership with the private sector can be made possible as long as it is free from corruption.

Garcia, however, questioned the placement of these donations with the Cebu Medical Society (CMS) instead of sending them directly to the Cebu City Government.

“Why did they leave the money with an organization, ang CMS, nga di man na gobyerno ang CMS? Nganong gihatag man na didto nganong wa man na gi direkta sa Cebu City Government?” said Garcia.

He added that it would have been better if the donations were directed to the City Government so they could continue the construction of the CCMC, particularly the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors.

In line with this, Garcia said that he could only hope that the donations were withdrawn so they could be routed directly to the city government.

Despite this, Garcia said that the withdrawal will not affect the ongoing construction, as they are going to use government funds to finish the edifice that has long been stalled.

Previously, Garcia said that in the absence of these donations, they included funding for the CCMC’s 8th, 9th, and 10th floors in Supplemental Budget 1, which has already been approved.

Garcia then said that should the private entities not want to donate directly to the City Government, he would recommend that they donate medical equipment instead for the CCMC.

“And hangyo ko ni Mayor Mike Rama, the former mayor, nga ambi ra gud kuno ng lista sa mga donors, aron akoy makaistorya nila directly,” said Garcia.

“If they have the pure intentions to help the city of Cebu, especially the CCMC, show me the names, so that I can talk to them,” he added.

As for the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors, Garcia said they already have the lowest bidder, but they do not have a winning bidder yet.

It can be recalled that Rama also disclosed that before his departure, numerous private sector groups had pledged support for the completion of the CCMC, including SM Corporation, which committed P100 million.

He also mentioned Andrew Tan of Megaworld, who pledged support for one side of the facility, as well as Manny V. Pangilinan, who pledged for the Wellness Centers.

However, Rama revealed that a “good friend,” whom he did not name, became “pissed off” and withdrew a P100 million donation. Another private entity also removed its P20 million pledge, and a foundation similarly withdrew its P100 million donation. – /ATO (FREEMAN)