Council asks Ombuds to probe ‘anomaly’ on CCMC scraps

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City Council yesterday requested the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate the possible anomaly in the disposal of metal scraps retrieved from the demolished old Cebu City Medical Center building.

Quoting a local newspaper columnist, Councilor Sisinio Andales, who delivered a privilege speech before the council, said that Manila-based businessmen offered a city official P2.5 million to allow them to undertake the demolition of CCMC and, in return, obtain the scrap metal.

“I am dismayed and annoyed over the CCMC issue kadtong mga scrap from the hospital that was allegedly sold by somebody,” he said, pushing for a “discreet and serious” investigation.

Andales also said they have to “trace out” who benefited from the scraps through an executive session on December 4, inviting the Commission on Audit and the City Department of Engineering and Public Works.

“It is proper for Ombudsman to investigate and for us to conduct an executive session to know who the culprits are really. We should remember that public office is a public trust,” he said.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo agreed, saying the move would settle the issue at hand.

“We will ask who handled the scraps. Was there an inventory conducted. Where the items were now placed somewhere or whether this was sold already? Who benefited out of the scraps? We wanted to have specific parameters of the investigation,” he said.

The city was able to retrieve P13.38 million worth of items including generator sets, electrical wires and breakers, thread mill, aluminum water tank, compressor with motor, and tiles worth P9,000,641 from the demolished hospital.

These have been placed under the custody of CCMC and DEPW, based on the report submitted by the CCMC ad hoc committee to Mayor Michael Rama in April.

Other items including medical and computer equipment and furniture worth P4,380,530.30 have also been turned over to the General Service Office for safekeeping and disposal.

The 3,960 cubic meters of debris from the demolished medical facility were dumped by DEPW in two sites along the road leading to the Tent City at the South Road Properties and at Pond A.

The demolition started on Feb. 24 and was completed on April 2, a few months after the earthquake last year which ruined the city hospital. — (FREEMAN)