Still not enough funds to rebuild Cebu City Medical Center bldg

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has so far raised P45.2 million for the construction of a new Cebu City Medical Center building.

The amount includes a P23-million donation from the Department of Health and the P5-million financial assistance from Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the P23 million, which the city received last December, was only partial, as DOH promised to give P50 million as financial assistance.

She said that based on an agreement, the amount would solely be used for the procurement of medical equipment.

As requested by the city government, DOH-7 earlier endorsed to DOH-Central Office in Manila to include a P1-billion allocation from the department’s budget for the new hospital building.

MPTC’s check was turned over to the Office of the Mayor yesterday.

MPTC President Ramoncito Fernandez said the undertaking was part of their corporate social responsibility program.

“This is our assistance to the earthquake-torn city medical center. Our intention is really to help the city rebuild its hospital,” he said.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. has also pledged to shoulder the construction of the second or third floor of the hospital that would cost P146 million, while Operation Smile, a non-profit medical organization, would finance the construction of one whole wing.

On top of the donations, a P300-million supplemental budget that the City Council has approved and the P17.2 million proceeds from the “Piso Mo Hospital Ko” fund drive will be utilized as seed money to begin the construction.

Of the P17.2 million, P3.3 million came from Cebu City’s sister cities such as Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands (P976,706); Yeosu City, South Korea (P1.2 million); Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (P429,478); and Xiamen, China (P692,020).

The city also received donations from other local government units such as the cities of Davao and Taguig, which out P500,000 each; Ormoc City (P300,000) and Mati City of Davao Oriental (P200,000).

The total amount raised, however, is still not enough to fund the P1.5-billion, 10-storey hospital building, which would be built in phases on the 500-square meter property located at the corner of N. Bacalso Avenue and Panganiban Street.

Mayor Michael Rama, though, said his administration will not stop until the city is able to raise enough funds to rebuild the “people’s hospital.”  (FREEMAN)