THE construction of the new 10-story Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) has been ongoing for nearly a decade now, and a local legislator said that its “undue retarded” development has been caused by a “disease called politics.”
Opposition City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos described the still-incomplete hospital as “a pathetic symbol of our City’s current state.”
De los Santos told SunStar Cebu in a text message on Sunday, July 2, 2023, that the current state of CCMC is caused by “personal political interests” that are “put ahead of the public interest,” but she did not elaborate.
Tuesday, July 4, marks the eighth year since the construction of the new CCMC began. The government-run hospital’s very first contractor is still reviewing the structural design to facilitate the completion of the three remaining floors.
The City Government, under the leadership of Mayor Michael Rama, held a groundbreaking ceremony to pave the way for the construction of the new CCMC on July 14, 2014.
The construction began on July 4, 2015, during Rama’s second term as mayor. The hospital is being built to replace the old CCMC building, which was damaged by the 2013 Central Visayas earthquake.
Since 2015, the City has spent almost P2 billion on the construction of the hospital — P566.085 million for Phase 1, P36.33 million for Phase 1.1, P299 million for Phase 2, P99.72 million for Phase 3, and P907.99 million for Phase 4.
The contract with M.E. Sicat Construction Inc., which was working on the seventh to 10th floors, was terminated in November 2022.
Still under review
City Administrator Collin Rosell said in an interview on Sunday, July 2, that C.E. Padilla Construction Inc., the contractor who undertook the first and second phases of the construction, is currently reviewing the structural aspect of the hospital. Some repair work is ongoing, including the correction of surface defects like honeycombs and bug holes.
Rosell said C.E. Padilla started its repair works and review in April.
On April 24, the City disclosed that some defects were found from the fourth floor to the sixth floor of the CCMC building during an investigation conducted by an independent body led by consultant Pericles Dakay, chief executive officer of Dakay Construction and Development Corp. (DCDC).
However, the lower floors were not included in the investigation as they are already occupied.
The investigating body made the following recommendations:
Provide epoxy-bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer wrap or strip for the columns that were found to be inadequate.
Correct surface defects, including honeycombs, bug holes, and shrinkage cracks.
Repair concrete surfaces that are peeled or have hollow defects to ensure the long-term reliability and performance of the structure, as well as the static component of the structure.
No details on deadline
Rosell was unable to provide specific details on the timeline or deadline given to C.E. Padilla for its review of the structural aspect.
Once C.E. Padilla completes its task, the independent investigating body and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) will assess its work, according to Rosell.
Other contractors involved in the CCMC construction include Charlz Construction for Phase 1.1, C.E. Padilla for Phase 2, C.B. Garay Philwide Builders for Phase 3, and M.E. Sicat Construction Inc. for Phase 4.
Rosell said the other contractors will also be engaged to carry out the necessary repairs under their respective contracts.
Upon completion of the retrofitting and repair works, the construction of the remaining floors will commence immediately, and timelines have already been set for each floor.
Some floors are targeted to be completed by November and December of this year, while another floor is targeted for completion in February, according to Rosell.
Rosell had said in previous interviews that the City would pay the contractors if there were any unpaid balances, emphasizing that the City always pays before projects start.