This city is prioritizing the completion of the long-delayed Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), while Mayor Raymund Alvin Garcia is advocating for transparent handling of donated funds for the project.

Garcia, speaking at Wednesday’s Open Line News Media Forum, announced that bidding process for the completion of the fourth to sixth floors of CCMC is underway, with contract signing expected soon.

While the first three floors of the medical center are operational, floors four through 10 remain unfinished.

Following the bidding for floors four to six, the local government will proceed with bidding for floors eight to 10, Garcia said, citing the goal to make the hospital fully operational within two to three years.

In addition to city funds, the private sector has donated PHP210 million for the CCMC completion, an effort initiated by former mayor Michael Rama.

However, these funds are currently under the care of the Cebu Medical Society (CMS), not directly transferred to the Cebu City government.

Garcia believes that direct transfer of the funds to the city government is crucial for transparency and accountability, thus the call for donors to consider redirecting their contributions to the city government.

Garcia wants the funds to be subject to Commission on Audit (COA) regulations which, he says, will streamline the procurement process and enable the city to complete the hospital efficiently. (PNA)