First phase of CCMC hospital ‘ahead of schedule’

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama (second from left) with city officials and Dr. Shawn Espina and Arch. Miko Espina lead the ceremonial concrete pouring of suspended slabs at the Cebu City Medical Center building. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

CONSTRUCTION of the first phase of the new Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) continues to be ahead of schedule, with city officials showing the hospital’s four-floor wing during yesterday’s 79th  City Charter Day celebration.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama led the ceremonial concrete pouring of the structure’s suspended slabs at noon.

“The target for this time is 26.23 percent. This means that the project is almost four percent ahead of schedule,” City Engineer Jose Marie Poblete said in a press conference after yesterday’s ceremony.

In his speech, Rama recalled that there were several “doubters” of the project.

“Let’s not fail the poor. Let’s address the poor. And we can only address the poor if this building is constructed even with the doubters,” he said.

Rama said it is the city’s aim to make the new 10-story CCMC a globally competitive hospital for the poor.

During his birthday celebration last October, Rama challenged the project contractor C.E. Padilla Construction, Inc. (Cepci) to erect four floors of the building by the city’s Charter Day Celebration.

Glenn Domanais, Cepci operations manager, said they had to implement three work shifts for their 200 crew so that work is done 24/7 to reach their target.

Construction is divided into four sectors since the lot where the hospital stands is curved. The contractor targets to finish the first phase of the hospital project by April next year.

The first phase covers the entire 10-story building but only its floors and structural frames. Domanais said the foundation for the entire building is already done.

The CCMC management launched the new set of uniforms for the administrative and medical personnel to distinguish them from City Hall employees.