Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has ordered an investigation into the nursing staff at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) following online complaints from patients alleging humiliation and unequal service. The complaint, posted on a Facebook page for senior citizens in Cebu, urged the mayor to look into the behavior of nurses assigned to the Internal Medicine (IM) section and OPD Triage at CCMC.
Complaint Details
According to the complainant, the first-come, first-served policy was not being followed. Some patients who arrived as early as 6 a.m. were only attended to in the afternoon because staff prioritized their acquaintances. The complaint also cited arrogance from some young nurses toward patients, especially senior citizens who merely inquired about their queue numbers. When asked for updates on line numbers, patients were allegedly answered rudely and humiliated publicly instead of being given proper responses.
CCMC Administrator's Response
Kenneth Siasar, CCMC administrator, explained that patient care is based on triage protocols. Under triage, patients are prioritized according to the severity of their condition, following the ABC principle: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Those in critical condition are given priority. Siasar added that it would be better if the exact date and time of the incident were provided so they could conduct a proper investigation and identify the staff involved.
Recent Recognition
The complaint comes despite CCMC recently being recognized as the "Most Outstanding Department" at the 89th Cebu City Charter Anniversary PRAISE Awards 2026. OIC Anton Reposar stated that the award was a result of the sacrifices of doctors and nurses despite facility limitations.
Ongoing Transition and Redevelopment
Currently, CCMC is undergoing a major transition under Mayor Archival's administration. Phase 5 of the redevelopment project is underway to improve hospital services. The project is expected to increase the hospital's capacity from 150 beds to 400 by 2027. Mayor Archival aims to address the long-standing issue of patient congestion at CCMC that Cebuanos have endured for years.
