THE Mandaue City government has received pledges of more than P1 billion from national officials to fund a modern city hospital and a new Mandaue City College campus.
“Nalipay kaayo ‘ta ‘ani. At least mahuman na g’yud nato ang modern Mandaue City Hospital ug ang atong City College,” Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano said.
He said the total commitments now amount to nearly P1.5 billion following his visit to the Senate in August to request support for the city’s priority infrastructure projects.
For the Mandaue City Hospital, pledges total P1.002 billion. Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon allocated P387 million for Phase 1; Senator Christopher “Bong” Go committed P250 million for Phase 2; Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III pledged P300 million for Phase 3; and Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid set aside P65 million for Phase 4.
The planned 257-bed facility, estimated to cost between P800 million and P1 billion including equipment, will be built within the compound of the existing hospital.
Ouano assured residents the current hospital will continue operating throughout construction and will only close once the new facility becomes fully functional.
“I want to reiterate that we will not close our existing hospital while the new one is being built unless the modern hospital is already operational,” he said.
The new Mandaue City College campus has secured P490 million in pledges.
Congresswoman Ouano-Dizon committed P215 million for the first phase; Senator Raffy Tulfo pledged P200 million for the second phase; and Senator Lapid allocated P75 million for the third phase.
The seven-story campus will be constructed at Norkis Park in Barangay Looc to accommodate a growing student population and improve academic facilities.
The current campus is located at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex in Barangay Centro.
Construction for both projects is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and is projected to take two to three years, similar to the new Mandaue City Government Center in Barangay Tipolo.
Ouano emphasized that the city will not take loans for the hospital, relying instead on contributions from lawmakers and party-list groups.
City Administrator Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on noted that while the Senate pledges are encouraging, final confirmation depends on their inclusion in the General Appropriations Act.
“Kung dili ma-finalize, ug dili pa makita sa GAA, dili pa g’yud ta maka-ingon nga sigurado,” he said.
