CEBU City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has rejected a proposal for a public-private partnership (PPP) to complete the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), calling the process “impractical.”
Garcia said the PPP Code, which took effect in 2023, requires a more stringent and lengthy process, which could delay the project by up to a year.
“I don’t know if she’s aware of the new law, and I don’t know if she’s aware of the new process and the procedure. But for me, I’m open to a PPP. However, it is very impractical,” Garcia said during a press conference at the City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
This was the mayor’s reaction to City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos’ suggestion that a PPP would be better than the initially proposed tripartite agreement among donors, the Cebu Medical Society (CMS) and CCMC.
De los Santos cited the Cleft Care Center, located on the seventh floor of CCMC, as an example of successful collaboration with private entities.
Garcia clarified that the Cleft Care Center, operated by Operation Smile, is under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and not a PPP.
Meanwhile, Garcia announced that the bidding process for the P700 million CCMC project will open within December but did not specify the exact date.
He added that donations for the hospital will be placed in a trust fund under the City Government to ensure transparency and accountability. Program of works and estimates will be charged to the trust fund.
In the meantime, Garcia urged donors to direct their funds to the City Treasurer’s Office while no dedicated city account or agreement is in place.
“Daghan kaayo’g (There are so many) questions as to accountability and transparency. So, I would like to see it donated to the City of Cebu,” he said. / JPS