Cebu City dad calls for transparency in CCMC construction progress

Local

AS THE Cebu City government prepares to launch the bidding process for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), a city councilor reiterated her concerns regarding ongoing delays and issues surrounding the project.

Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos, a vocal critic of the CCMC’s prolonged construction, expressed her support for the project’s completion but underscored the need for greater transparency regarding the work accomplished thus far.

During her privilege speech addressing the delays and other issues related to CCMC, she called for executive sessions to discuss the situation further.

The rebidding for the construction of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of the hospital has began this week with the deadline for submission of proposals scheduled for December 27, 2024.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia revealed that the works will be subjected to a regular procurement process, with an allocated budget of more than P700 million.

Among the issues raised by De los Santos was the outstanding payment owed to contractor C.E. Padilla, which has not yet been resolved.

Reports from October 30, indicated that C.E. Padilla had been awarded the contract for Phase 1 of the construction, while Phase 2, involving interior masonry works as well as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire systems for the fifth and sixth floors, was granted to CHARLZ

Construction.

Phase 2 of the construction, intended to complete the upper floors of the hospital, was awarded to C.E. Padilla Construction Inc., while Phase 3, covering the lower, ground, and upper floors up to the second floor, was granted to C. B. Garay Philwide Builders. Phase 4 was allocated to M.E. Sicat Construction Inc./AVECS Corporation.

De los Santos also expressed concern about M.E. Sicat Construction, whose award was reportedly terminated under a "gentlemen's agreement."

With the project having already exceeded 10 years in development and costs reaching up to P1 billion, she emphasized that it is now time for the Commission on

Audit to intervene and conduct a technical assessment of the project.(MyTVCebu)