“Piso mo” for CCMC raises P7.8M

CEBU, Philippines - One month after it was launched, the “Piso Mo, Hospital Ko” campaign of the Cebu City government has already reached P7.8 million.

As of November 21, the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office has calculated bills and coins totaling to P7,811,092.16, which will be used to fund the rebuilding of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) has been declared unsafe to use following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Visayas last month.

Although still far from the estimated P1.5 billion cost for the reconstruction of the hospital, the Cebu City government is optimistic about the project where individuals and groups have been dropping their contribution into mineral water gallons placed in key areas inside the City Hall and the Bureau of Fire Protection 7 compound where the CCMC is temporarily operating.

The fund drive recognizes even the smallest contribution as Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama dubs the proposed new building as the “people’s hospital.”

During the observance of All Saints’ and All Soul’s Days, the city government was able to raise P65,000 from setting up booths in five major cemeteries.

Carreta Cemetery raised P20,626.50, Pardo Cemetery with 18,828.70, Queen City Memorial Garden with P14,282.15, Calamba Cemetery with P7,823.50, and Cebu Memorial Park (CemPark) with P4,437.60.

CCMC employees also raised P12,943 last month through their contributions.

Those who wish to donate may also deposit to the Banco de Oro account opened by the city government under the account name “City of Cebu-Trust Fund” with account number 0026800-7933.

A private group, Championing the Advancement, Restoration and Establishment of the CCMC Movement (CARE CCMC), is also helping the City Government in raising funds for the feasibility study for the new CCMC building.

The movement is composed of Cebuano doctors, architects, engineers, urban planners and other professionals whose technical expertise were pooled together to help rebuild the city hospital. — /ATO (FREEMAN)