Tom open to P130M annual budget for CCMC

CEBU, Philippines - Contrary to the speculation of the opposition and critics, Mayor Tomas Osmeña is amenable to an increase in appropriation for the Cebu City Medical Center.

He also tasked the Association of Barangay Councils to study the health program models of Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar and the City of Tagbilaran.

Osmeña, in a recent interview, said that he is open to an increase in the annual appropriation of around P130 million to the city hospital but on condition that everything should be itemized.

“Why not? What do you want me to do, just throw money? Look, people have to submit their proposals and I have to approve it. I just don’t throw away money; this is not my money, this is the money of Cebu City,” Osmeña said.

He also said that CCMC will have to submit a detailed list - from needs in facilities to requests for manpower augmentation.

“What they want is that you throw us money because when we do that we use that for the airconditioning of their auditorium, and they will use that to buy personal things for their offices. They have to be very specific, I’m sorry,” he said.

The mayor said that the city is increasing allocation to the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation as well as the funds for the barangay health units because CCMC, according to him, had failed.

“I challenge them to show a request that I turned down,” Osmeña said.

On the other hand, the mayor said he tasked ABC head Councilor Eugenio Faelnar to study two models of health programs – that of del Mar’s and the other in Tagbilaran City in Bohol.

“Del Mar’s model in giving medicines directly to the people is very efficient, unlike Tony Cuenco’s (Cebu City South District representative) which is only good for press releases. There is a control factor in del Mar’s. Because when there is no control, mayabo gyod na like Cuenco’s fictitious patients,” Osmeña added.

Also a team is to be sent to Tagbilaran City to observe the implementation of health programs particularly in the giving of medicines.

“Its very good. The city assigns a doctor in each hospital whether private or public, and then you go there and get your medicines,” he said.

The team will be headed by Basak-Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak.

He said he is not pushing through with the distribution of health cards since local studies showed that only P300,000 is availed of by the public for every P1 million spent by the government.

He said the city will have to pay for the medicines or accept donations.

An initial P25 million will be appropriated for the realization of the said programs. It also includes the establishment of Botika ng Barangays solely for senior citizens.

Opposition had criticized Osmeña for being anti-poor, for not investing much at CCMC where the indigents flock. – Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV  (THE FREEMAN)