Cebu City Government Pursues P300 Million DOH Funding for CCMC Medical Equipment Amid Construction Revival
The Cebu City Government, under the leadership of Mayor Nestor Archival, has initiated a formal request for approximately P300 million from the Department of Health (DOH). This funding is earmarked for the procurement of critical medical equipment necessary to fully operationalize the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). The request comes as construction on the long-delayed hospital project resumes, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, on the fifth floor of CCMC. The event was attended by city councilors, CCMC officials, and representatives from Dakay Construction and Development Corp.
Funding and Equipment Details
In a press conference on Monday, February 16, 2026, Mayor Archival elaborated that the P300 million funding will cover major diagnostic and treatment machines. He emphasized that while the DOH has available funds for hospital equipment, it cannot release assistance until a completed and suitable space is ready for installation. "We have already started requesting assistance, but they cannot provide the equipment if there is no finished area where it can be placed," Archival stated.
The equipment package is expected to include:
- An magnetic resonance imaging machine and x-ray units for advanced diagnostics.
- Modern laboratory equipment such as automated blood chemistry and hematology analyzers.
- Dialysis machines for kidney patients, pending evaluation of maintenance capacity and trained technician availability.
- Surgical tables, anesthesia machines, operating room lights, and patient monitoring systems for the fourth-floor operating rooms.
- Additional ward equipment, hospital beds, and intensive care monitoring devices for patient rooms on the fifth to seventh floors.
Construction Timeline and Challenges
The continuation of CCMC construction is set to be completed by December 2026, with equipment delivery targeted for early 2027 to ensure operational readiness by January 2027. This timeline follows the resolution of earlier technical and contractual issues that had stalled the project. A contract worth over P700 million was previously awarded, but delays occurred due to problems with the Notice to Proceed and other technical matters, prompting a review at the start of Archival's term.
Structural works, including the targeted completion of the fourth floor for operating rooms, are expected to progress in the coming months. Approximately P400 million is projected to come from the City's Local Development Fund to cover rectification work and structural adjustments in the basement and lower floors, ensuring the building's full completion.
Impact and Commitment
Once completed and fully equipped, CCMC is anticipated to significantly expand its bed capacity and enhance public healthcare delivery in Cebu City. The upgraded facility will also support national health programs, such as the zero-billing initiative for basic ward patients, ensuring indigent residents can access essential medical services without financial burden. Mayor Archival reiterated his commitment to delivering a fully functional public hospital capable of meeting Cebu City's growing healthcare needs, underscoring the project's importance for community welfare and medical accessibility.
