Bigfoot studio as CCMC site? No way, says Rama

An unused Bigfoot sound studio at the South Road Properties (SRP) was proposed as a temporary site for a hospital but Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama would have none of it.

“Forget it. That is a wrong suggestion. That is an indication of the lack of all things being considered,” Rama said in response to Councilor Michael Ralota’s proposal which was broached at yesterday’s City Council session.

Ralota said the studio owned by businessman Michael Gleissner is even bigger than the regional Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) building which the Cebu City government is now using as a temporary hospital.

Rama said he prefers that the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) continues to operate at the BFP building.

The city-run hospital implemented a “zero admission” policy last week to allow the renovation of a portion of the BFP building.

The City Fire Department vacated the building and hospital operations are expected to resume this week. But this time, the city will only run a 60-bed hospital, Rama said.

Rama said the city will have to screen cases for admission.

He said hospital operations will be expanded if the BFP regional office vacates the building.

Rama wrote BFP regional director Ma. Luisa Hadjula last Oct. 22 asking that they vacate the BFP building in 15 days. He said the city government owns the lot occupied by the BFP.

Vice Mayor Edgar Labella said they will wait until the mayor’s order lapses before they bring the case to court.

“I am very patient. I can wait (for them to vacate), but the (CCMC) patients cannot wait,” Rama said.

Councilor Margot Osmeña supported Ralota’s suggestion to use the Bigfoot studio as an alternative venue for a city hospital.

“It may be far but the area is safe. Transportation concerns can be handled by the city,” she said.

Rama said he ordered City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete to oversee the demolition of the abandoned CCMC building within the week.

He wanted a new, bigger and well equipped hospital worth P1.2 to P1.5 billion to rise in the area.

Councilor Gerry Carillo said the executive department should prepare the plan for the hospital which Rama asked before building a new one.

Osmeña said Rama should also oversee the transfer of P85 million in unspent balance from the prior year’s calamity funds to retro-fit or build a new hospital.

But City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the P85 million funds cannot be touched because it was already set aside for disaster preparedness.