Council wants review of city hospital plans

THE Cebu City Council wanted to see the site development plans of the proposed new city hospital that Mayor Michael Rama wanted built at the South Road Properties (SRP).

“I would also like to ask for a copy of the declaration of Manila engineers (who went to see the old Cebu City Medical Center building) which says that the building is already unfit for occupancy,” Councilor Sisinio Andales said.

Councilor Margot Osmeña also wanted SRP manager Roberto “Bu” Varquez, who proposed the lot at the back of the Calungsod chapel as the new hospital site, invited to next week’s executive session.

Rama said a group consisting of Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, CCMC chief Gloria Duterte and private sector experts who prepared the architectural design of the new city hospital are looking into the technical preparations of the project.

Jose Daluz III, Rama’s executive assistant, said the city government could start by building a four story and 500 room capacity structure.

They could later expand to build the 1,000 bed capacity hospital that the mayor wanted.

When the new hospital project is built, Rama said the old hospital building along N. Bacalso Avenue will have to be demolished.

But he would not yet say what he intends to do with the property.

“Anything can happen to that property. Huwaton usa nato,” he said.

Councilor Leah Japson in last Wednesday’s session filed a resolution that called for the approval of the site development plan of the SRP hospital.

“There is a need for the council to be appraised of the site development plan and proposal,” Councilor Noel Wenceslao said. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac