THE Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) stands firm in its decision to use the second floor and other portions of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) building despite BFP’s insistence to take back the occupied space.
“The City Government maintains that we are still utilizing the space of the second floor,” said CCMC chief of operations for administration Atty. Rey Cris Panugaling.
But BFP 7 now wants the space they originally gave to CCMC.
A larger portion of the second floor of the BFP building is used by CCMC as storage rooms for medical supplies and hospital equipment.
Of the six rooms in the area, only one is used by BFP for its Special Rescue Unit (SRU).
“Kuhaon gyod namo kay (We will take it back because) we want to be fully operational,” said BFP 7 information officer Senior Insp. Ethel Margaha.
Margaha said their office wrote CCMC a second letter last June 15 regarding the matter, and that they are now waiting for a response.
Negotiation
According to Panugaling, CCMC is negotiating with the city administrator and the mayor.
An official declaration will be done but as of the moment, they will continue occupying the area, he said.
Last April 14, the BFP sent a letter to CCMC Hospital Chief Dr. Gloria Duterte, saying they want to utilize the vacant rooms.
A separate letter on the same day was also sent by the BFP to Gov. Hilario Davide III, asking for a lot donation.
There has no clear communication yet between the two parties, Margaha said.
She said they are renting a place in Barangay Zapatera for some of their responders and logistics division.
“Daghan na ang naapektohan, of course. Mangita pa mig lugar nga layo sa sentro sa atong aktibidades (We are badly affected of course, we have to look for a place far from our center of activity).” she said.
Donation
Meanwhile, a medical waste treatment company gave to the City Government the first of its monthly financial donation for the construction of the new CCMC.
Pollution Abatement Systems Specialist, Inc. (PASSI) donated a P20,000 check for the project.
PASSI president Engr. Julito Pogoy gave the check to Mayor Michael Rama in City Hall yesterday morning.
In an interview, Pogoy said that as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR), PASSI will donate an amount monthly until the construction is done.
“(This is) to assist the City Government in delivering the health services to its constituents,” said Pogoy.
As the sole provider of hazardous and infectious treatment service in Cebu, PASSI has around 169 clients.
Pogoy said the donation will be 100 pesos per client, amounting up to 16,900 per month.