A YEAR since assuming office as mayor, Michael Rama has outlined the policy direction his administration aims to pursue, including the completion of the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) before his term ends in 2025.
Earlier this year, Rama had said that he wanted the CCMC fully operational by the last quarter of 2023. The construction of the 10-story CCMC started on July 4, 2014. The old hospital building was demolished after it was damaged by the 2013 Central Visayas earthquake.
The mayor delivered a speech during a Thanksgiving Dinner at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel on Monday night, July 3, 2023.
In the speech, Rama wants to establish five mini hospitals in the city; create a boulevard and constructing boardwalks along the recovered three-meter easement; and complete socialized housing projects in both the south and north districts.
Earlier in the day, Rama delivered his State of the City Address (Soca) at Plaza Sugbu through an audiovisual presentation (AVP).
The presentation highlighted his achievements and outlined future plans, including the construction of a second dam, which was pledged by Filipino billionaire Enrique Razon. However, during a press conference after his Soca, Rama mentioned that he is still waiting for the feasibility study to be conducted. Currently, Cebu City’s only dam is located in Barangay Buhisan.
Rama’s AVP also mentioned the plan to install cable cars in the city’s hinterlands, among other projects.
Those in attendance included Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terrence Calatrava, and most of the city councilors. Diplomats from other countries also listened to Rama’s Soca—Japanese Consul General Hideki Yamaji, Korean Consul General Song Sewon and Chinese Consul General Zhang Zhen.
Committed
At the Thanksgiving Dinner, Rama said he is committed to finishing the construction of CCMC before his term ends.
In addition to the Guba Community Hospital, he plans to build more satellite hospitals across the city, with an initial focus on serving the north, south, east, west, and central parts of the city. He also intends to convert health centers into mini hospitals.
Addressing the issue of encroachment along the city’s riverbanks, Rama is determined to recover and clear the three-meter easement.
More than 6,000 families have been identified as residing within this zone. Once the recovery is complete, Rama said he envisions building boardwalks and a boulevard as part of the river rehabilitation efforts, aligning with the Gubat sa Baha initiative aimed at mitigating flooding.
Ensuring the completion of socialized housing projects, such as the South Coastal Urban Development and North Coastal Urban Development, within his term is another priority for Rama.
Rama has set several other goals to be achieved during the next two years of his term:
Creating a rubbish-free city by encouraging innovative solutions from the City’s contractors for the rubbish-free campaign.
Prompt payment of all payables to suppliers and service providers.
Ensuring no delay in salary payments for employees and job orders.
Efficiently managing payables under the City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program (CHAMP).
Utilizing intelligence funds to maintain peace and order in the city.
Engaging the shipping industry to revolutionize while ensuring efficient and cost-effective delivery of goods and materials to the city.
Exploring the possibility of relocating the container yard outside the city.
Establishing mass transit options such as cable cars, trains, monorails, and water buses. (JJL WITH RJM)