Super health center crisis: DOH reveals 297 unfinished projects
(UPDATE) THE Department of Health (DOH) revealed on Wednesday that almost half of the 600 super health centers — or 297 out of 600 — funded nationwide have not been built. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said based on their investigation, some super health centers were completed, while some were in different phases of completion. “When we investigated, some were completed only on paper, others were stuck in Phase 1 — just foundations covered in weeds. So... after investigating, we have 297 nonoperational or nonfunctional super health centers funded since 2021.” Super health centers are facilities designed to decongest hospitals and to provide accessible health care at the community level, which started in 2021. Herbosa added that a super health center can be constructed in a span of two years. During his inspection at the Concepcion Dos Super Health Center in Marikina, he revealed that the project should have started in 2022, but it was only in 2023 that its first phase began. “According to the billboard, it started Dec.15, 2023. So it should have been completed,” he said during the inspection, implying that only Phase 1, or its foundation, has been completed. The two-story health center was initially funded at P11.5 million in 2022, but the Marikina local government unit (LGU) later modified the design to a four-story building with a birthing center, leading to additional funding and project delays. “The LGU decided to expand it, so they took funds from other Super Health Centers to cover the new design. The total funding reached P21.4 million, but what’s been built is still only the foundation,” Herbosa said. Marikina debunks DOH claim The government of Marikina debunked these claims, however, saying the city completed all works covered by the funds released by the DOH. Marikina City Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro said the project’s delay was due to the DOH’s failure to provide the remaining funds needed for the succeeding construction phases. “The facts are clear. The funds released by the DOH were only for the first phase of construction. It is therefore false to claim that the entire facility could have been completed with such limited funds,” she said. She added that the city government had finished the entire first phase — covering foundation and structural works — as certified by the DOH itself. Teodoro said Marikina has decided to use its own local funds to continue the project to ensure that residents receive the quality health care services they rightfully deserve. “DOH should not mislead the people about the truth. When they release funds, it should be complete. The public suffers because of what DOH is doing,” she said. Teodoro said Marikina has always cooperated with the national health agency, even providing city-owned lands for the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center. “Marikina stands for transparency, accountability and genuine public service — not excuses or misinformation,” the mayor stressed. City administrator Dr. Mark Castro explained that the Phase 1 scope only covered foundation works, which the city has already completed. “The city really finished it. There’s nothing being hidden here. We requested additional funds, but none were given. The funds were insufficient,” Castro said. He added that the local government has been following up with the DOH for an additional P180 million to complete the ground to fourth floors. Because of the delay, the city allotted P200 million from its 2026 Annual Implementation Plan to continue the project. “Once the P180 million is funded, there will be a new completion date. But we’ll make sure the LGU does not neglect this kind of program, especially since it’s for health. The people of Marikina will benefit from it, so we will not abandon it,” Castro said.
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