The Cebu City government has officially launched Phase 5 of the construction for the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) this week, marking a significant step forward in the long-delayed hospital project. Mayor Nestor Archival emphasized that this phase represents a crucial campaign promise of his administration, aimed at enhancing local healthcare services.
Inauguration and Construction Timeline
Mayor Archival Sr. led the inauguration ceremony for the CCMC areas under Phase 5 construction on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The construction work is now underway, managed by Dakay Construction, with a scheduled completion date set for December 2026. Following this, the hospital is expected to be fully operational by February 2027, providing much-needed medical facilities to the community.
Scope of Phase 5
This phase focuses on completing the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh floors of the hospital building. Work commenced immediately on February 11, 2026, as announced during the inauguration. Mayor Archival has urged the contractor to ensure timely completion by December 2026 to allow these additional floors to start serving patients without further delays.
Current Hospital Challenges
Currently, the CCMC is designed to accommodate 400 to 500 beds, but it only has the capacity for 150 beds. Due to this severe overcrowding, some beds are being shared by up to three patients simultaneously, according to Archival. This limited capacity forces many patients, especially those with serious illnesses, to be referred to other facilities such as the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and private hospitals.
Patient Statistics and Health Issues
Mayor Archival noted that over 50 percent of patients at CCMC suffer from primary illnesses like fever, diarrhea, cough, and other common conditions. This highlights the urgent need for expanded facilities to handle both routine and critical healthcare demands effectively.
Funding and Equipment Needs
The Phase 5 project has a budget of P700 million. Additionally, the city plans to seek assistance from the Department of Health (DOH) for essential equipment and machinery to be installed in the completed floors. This includes MRI and X-ray machines, laboratory equipment, and dialysis units. However, Archival pointed out that DOH support has been delayed due to a lack of suitable space for placing this equipment, underscoring logistical challenges in the project's implementation.
Overall, the launch of Phase 5 is a pivotal move toward alleviating healthcare shortages in Cebu City, with the goal of transforming CCMC into a fully functional medical hub by early 2027.
