Under Ouano admin, new hospital, college buildings to rise in Mandaue

Local

A SEVEN-STORY college campus and a 257-bed city hospital will rise within the next three years as Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano launched a reform-centered executive agenda focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance.

Ouano made the announcement during the inaugural session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod on Monday, July 7, where he outlined what he described as a “people’s agenda."

He said the existing 25-bed city hospital, long classified as an infirmary, stood as a symbol of institutional neglect.

He pointed out that despite a P7-billion city budget last year, less than one percent, only about P40 million, was allocated to hospital services.

This year, under a reduced P4.5-billion budget, he committed to reshaping the city’s priorities to improve access to medical care.

The planned Mandaue City Hospital will be a full-service Level 2 public facility developed in coordination with Dr. Gerry Aquino, chief of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Ouano said it will reflect the city’s commitment to equity, dignity, and health access for all.

He also highlighted the urgent need for a permanent campus for Mandaue City College, noting that students continue to study in overcrowded rooms and under makeshift tents exposed to the elements.

He said this situation will end with the construction of a new college campus at the former Norkis Park in Barangay Looc.

The building, he added, will not just be a structure but a symbol of hope and opportunity for the city’s youth.

To further strengthen higher education access, Ouano revealed that the city is in advanced talks with Cebu Technological University for the relocation of its entire engineering department to Mandaue.

If finalized, the new CTU campus will rise beside the city college, forming what he called a hub for affordable, competitive, and quality tertiary education.

Beyond health and education, Ouano addressed the city’s persistent flooding problems.

He cited poor fund utilization, revealing that the development fund was unused in 2024 and barely reached 3.7 percent in 2023.

He said this underutilization contributed to flooding along the Butuanon River and Mahiga Creek, which the city now aims to address through coordinated efforts with national agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Ouano also underscored the need to modernize the city’s waste management systems, noting that even as one of the country’s wealthiest cities, Mandaue still suffers from uncollected garbage and neglected public spaces.

His administration is now exploring public-private partnerships to overhaul garbage collection, disposal, and recycling systems.

He announced plans to open a city-run dialysis center within the next six to twelve months, also through a public-private partnership.

To accelerate similar life-saving projects, he called on the City Council to update Mandaue’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code.

Among other key projects, Ouano pledged to restore the public market and plaza, beautify Pajara Park beneath the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, complete the long-delayed Paknaan Sports Oval, and upgrade the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

He said the city will improve street lighting along major roads and inner communities while also enhancing access to medicines at barangay health centers.

He added that his administration will support secure land tenure and expand socialized housing initiatives for informal settlers.

Ouano committed to reducing red tape and streamlining government transactions through digitized services and faster turnaround times for permits and inspections.

He said doing so would make Mandaue more efficient and business-friendly.

He appealed to the City Council for full legislative support, saying that these major infrastructure and service reforms are designed not just for the current generation but for future Mandauehanons as well.

The executive agenda was adopted by the City Council through a motion by Councilor Joel Seno.

Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede presided over the session, which was attended by all 19 council members, including Councilors Carlo Fortuna, Joel Seno, Maline Cortes-Zafra, Jun Arcilla, Eugene Andaya, Fritz Villamor, Ben Basiga, Ting Sol Cabahug, Jennifer del Mar, Raul Kevin Cabahug, Anjong Ouano-Icalina, SK President Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as, and ABC President Dante Borabajo.

Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon was also present.(MyTVCebu)