CCMC critic agrees for construction to proceed

MANILA, Philippines —  As the Cebu City Government plans to already bid out the construction to finish the four remaining floors of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos, a vocal critic of its delays and issues, said she already agreed for it to proceed, but only with the technical assessment of the Commission on Audit (COA).

It can be remembered that de los Santos, who initiated the investigation into the delays in finishing the CCMC building, called upon the Cebu City Mayor to halt the bidding until the issues hounding the project are ironed out.

Last Dec. 18, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia told reporters that the city plans to begin the bidding for CCMC today, Dec. 23, with the last day falling on Dec. 27. Garcia said they would bid out the construction to finish the third to sixth floors.

The bidding process would include soliciting proposals for the P700-million project.

In another interview, de los Santos expressed that she wanted the CCMC to be finished, saying that it had been her advocacy since 2015.

It was her who first sought clarifications on the work accomplishments in the construction of the hospital building, which has already taken over 10 years since the original building was rendered unfit for use during 2010 earthquake.

The council then conducted several executive sessions, tackling in particular the solicited funds for the project during the time of former mayor Michael Rama.

According to de los Santos, the executive sessions only showed that the work accomplishments weren't clear.

Among the issues she highlighted was the alleged unpaid payment to the contractor, CE Padilla, which was left unsettled.

Engr. Lowell Corminal, head of the City’s Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), had said that Phase 1 has already been completed, while Phase 2 has ended at 91-percent complete.

It was also stated that the construction of Interior Masonry Works and Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire systems for the 5th and 6th floors was included in Phase 1 and awarded to CHARLZ Construction.

The construction of CCMC Phase 2 was stipulated to be awarded to C. E. Padilla Construction Inc., while Phase 3, which includes the completion of CCMC from the first, lower, and upper ground floors to the second floor, was awarded to C. B. Garay Philwide Builders.

It was then indicated that CCMC Phase 4 was awarded to M. E. Sicat Construction Inc./AVECS Corporation.

De los Santos also raised another concern regarding M. E. Sicat Construction, whose award was terminated on the basis of a "Gentlemen's Agreement."

"What is the accountability? Natubag na ba ni? Wala. Then if ato ning ipa-let go, this is setting a bad precedent," said de los Santos.

She added that, as ten years have already passed and CCMC is still unfinished, with funds close to one billion already spent, it is high time for the COA to step in.

"So, I agree, if they want to pursue the bidding, as long as they ask the COA to conduct a technical assessment," said de los Santos.

De los Santos further said that among the things overlooked in the CCMC construction is the lack of a technical person to consult. She added that there must be a go-to technical person who will oversee the overall project.

De los Santos also acknowledged that governance should not be held hostage by stopping the CCMC construction every time an issue arises, and that such issues should be ironed out and complied with.

She added that there must be accountability and transparency regarding the one billion pesos already spent on the CCMC project, noting that this is the only thing she has asked from the mayor.

"We have to address it because it is the taxpayers' money," said de los Santos.

While she can no longer control if the mayor wants to begin the construction, she pleaded that they might as well "start it right."

"Ikaw (Garcia) naman, kahay ganahan muhuman ani, sugdi og tarong," said de los Santos.

To do it right, she added, the work accomplishments must be laid out. She also highlighted that the executive sessions are still ongoing to shed light on the CCMC issues.

She also made a jab at Corminal, saying that the latter does not have the expertise to build a hospital.

De los Santos further said that no engineer from the DEPW has the technical expertise to oversee the project, regardless of the explanations they presented before the council.

"Para nako, we need a third party there," said de los Santos.

It can be remembered that the remaining floors of the CCMC, namely the eighth, ninth, and 10th floors, were planned to be completed with funding from a donation drive coursed through the Cebu Medical Society (CMS).

However, its tripartite agreement is under review after the Cebu City Legal Office raised multiple issues, leading Garcia to suggest that these donations be directed instead to the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office.(CEBU NEWS)