MANDAUE City officials have turned to senators to rally support for two major infrastructure projects -- a new city hospital and the expansion of Mandaue City College estimated to cost a combined P1.5 billion.
In a recent visit, the City’s delegation, led by Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, and Opao Barangay Captain Nixon Dizon, personally met with Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, and Lito Lapid to push for funding and build partnerships crucial to the completion of these priority projects under Ouano’s administration.
City Administrator Sally Malig-on, in an interview on Thursday, August 7, 2025, said the visit was part of the City’s efforts to directly appeal for national assistance, particularly for infrastructure that the City’s current budget cannot fully cover.
Malig-on said the purpose of their visit was to seek assistance for the priority projects under Mayor Ouano’s administration.
He noted that the proposed city hospital alone could cost around P1 billion, making it a major undertaking.
“So the focus really is on two projects the hospital and the Mandaue City College,” he said.
Malig-on said the four senators were approached specifically because of their familiarity and prior ties with the Ouano family.
While the delegation received positive responses, he emphasized that the outcome will ultimately depend on what is allocated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“Okay ra man ang reception. But we cannot expect man gyud nga pila ihatag. Mag-depende ra na kung pila ilang mahatag,” he said.
He added that while some senators smiled and expressed openness, “we do not know until makita gyud siya sa GAA.”
Ouano submitted formal funding requests amounting to P50 million to P100 million, with hopes that these will be considered during budget hearings or included in the final GAA.
The projects are targeted for completion within two to three years. The city hospital, which is expected to be the more costly and complex of the two, is scheduled to break ground next year.
Meanwhile, construction of the new Mandaue City College building is also set to begin next year and may be completed within three years.
“If we rely on the city’s budget alone, mahimo siya but dugay mahuman,” Malig-on said.
"That’s why we’re seeking national support and also counterpart funding from Cong Lolypop to help jumpstart the projects," he added.
Malig-on said the goal is to make the new city hospital at least partially operational floor by floor as construction progresses. (CAV)