Cebu City Medical Center Construction Finally Resumes After Decade-Long Journey
After enduring years of frustrating stops and starts, the Cebu City Government has officially announced the resumption of construction work on the long-awaited Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). This significant development marks a crucial turning point for a healthcare project that has faced numerous obstacles since its inception over ten years ago.
New Construction Timeline and Phase Details
Mayor Nestor Archival has confirmed that construction activities will recommence on February 12, 2026, following the issuance of a formal notice to proceed to Dakay Construction and Development Corp. The company emerged as the winning bidder for Phase 5 of this ambitious hospital project.
This critical phase will concentrate on interior finishing works for the third through seventh floors of the planned 10-story medical facility. Mayor Archival has established a firm deadline, stating emphatically that "the project must be completed by November" of this year.
Due to substantial financial considerations, the City Government has made the strategic decision to temporarily postpone construction of the eighth to tenth floors. The current phase carries an estimated cost of approximately P700 million, which will be fully shouldered by the City.
Partnership for Medical Equipment and Enhanced Capacity
While the City covers construction expenses, equipping the newly completed floors presents a separate challenge. Mayor Archival revealed that the City will actively seek partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) to procure necessary medical equipment and furnishings for the operational areas.
Once fully equipped and operational, these additional floors are projected to dramatically transform healthcare delivery in Cebu City. The expansion is expected to increase the hospital's patient capacity significantly, with Mayor Archival projecting that by January 2027, the facility will accommodate at least 400 additional patients. This represents a substantial improvement from the current capacity of just over 100 patients.
A Troubled History of Delays and Setbacks
The journey to complete the Cebu City Medical Center has been marked by persistent challenges and complications:
- The project originated in 2015 as a replacement for the original hospital structure damaged during the devastating 2013 earthquake
- Construction faced repeated interruptions due to contractual disputes, missing engineering documentation, and concerns raised during structural reviews
- Although the hospital partially opened in 2020, operational issues continued to plague the facility
- In November 2022, the City terminated a major construction contract after the contractor consistently failed to meet project deadlines
- Subsequent assessments revealed a critical lack of complete as-built plans, essential documents for verifying completed work and guiding future construction phases
According to records from the Department of Engineering and Public Works, the project has already consumed more than P1.1 billion in funding through various phases and attempts at completion.
Looking Toward the Future
With construction finally resuming this month, Cebu City officials express renewed optimism about delivering the modern healthcare facility that residents have patiently awaited for more than a decade. The successful completion of Phase 5 represents not just structural progress but a commitment to improving public health infrastructure and medical services for the entire community.
The Cebu City Medical Center project stands as a testament to the complexities of large-scale public infrastructure development, demonstrating how perseverance and renewed commitment can overcome even the most challenging obstacles in delivering essential services to the people.
