
ICI gets report on alleged ‘ghost’ super health centers
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has briefed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on its ongoing investigation into so-called “ghost” Super Health Centers, or facilities funded by government but still idle or incomplete despite reported completion, on Friday morning. In a press conference, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said around 300 facilities remained non-operational based on the department’s latest review, up from 297 earlier reported. He clarified that out of 818 funded centers, about 500 have been completed, while 300 are still under construction. “When we reviewed the Super Health Centers, there are 818 that have been actually funded. About 500 were completed, and the remaining 300 are ongoing,” Herbosa said. “Among those completed, we checked how many are functional and how many are not — that’s the 300.” He explained that the DOH was now using the term “ready for occupancy” to better classify centers that are physically built but not yet operational. “Some projects were marked ‘completed’ but turned out to be only phase one,” Herbosa noted. Herbosa said the agency would continue case-building to identify whether these projects were delayed, misreported, or neglected, with the ICI providing oversight. He added that not all inactive facilities involve anomalies, as some remain non-operational due to missing utilities or staffing delays. “What we’re seeing are “obstacles to operations” — sometimes no power, no water, or no local personnel. The local government is responsible for connecting utilities and hiring doctors, nurses, and midwives. The DOH only provides the infrastructure grant,” Herbosa said. The health chief also noted that health facilities underwent stricter controls than other public works, since contractors must first submit detailed architectural and engineering designs approved by the DOH’s licensing bureau before construction begins. A permit to construct is only issued once requirements are met, followed by a license to operate after completion. Preliminary ICI figures show that since 2021, 878 Super Health Centers have been funded under the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP). Of these, 365 are in various stages of construction, 196 are operational, 17 are partially operational, and 300 remain non-operational.