Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the agency will investigate the 297 “ghost” super health centers that were discovered.
During an ambush interview at Barangay Concepcion II in Marikina City, Herbosa said that the projects are not operational, despite being declared as completed by the local government.
“We have discovered 297 super health centers na ganito ‘yung status. I don’t know, ‘yung iba completed, ‘yung iba in different phases of completion. So ito nung inimbestigahan namin parang malayo pa. Malayong malayo pa bago makapag serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” Herbosa said.
During an inspection, Herbosa likened one of the super health centers to a “manananggal,” stating, “Diba ‘yung manananggal hati, ‘yung itaas wala, ‘yung ibaba naiiwan. Ewan ko, siguro lumilipad ‘yung manananggal dito.”
The inspected area in Marikina was among the 297 ‘ghost’ super health centers that were discovered nationwide, with Luzon having the most ‘ghost’ centers.
According to Herbosa, the project was supposed to be completed by December 15, 2023, as construction supposedly began in 2022.
Although the local government unit was able to begin construction, Herbosa said they were unable to begin phase 2 of the project.
“Ako ang objective ko lang as Secretary of Health, is to make all these 297 [health centers] function. Diba ang ganda noon? Kung I have 297 functional super health centers or primary care. Hindi na magsisiksikan sa ospital, pupunta na lang ‘yung pasyente sa komunidad nila,” he said, citing Concepion II as an example where residents can walk or take a short commute to the health centers.
When asked whether 297 is a fixed number, Herbosa responded, stating it is possible that more ‘ghost’ health centers would emerge as their investigation continues.
The initial plan
Meanwhile, Herbosa said the local government modified the initial plan they had in mind for the health center in Marikina, adding that the latter wanted to make a four-story building.
Upon inspection, however, the DOH personnel were met with unfinished construction and metals that had leaves wrapped around them.
Mark Castro, the Marikina City Administrator, said in an ambush interview that in 2024, they had requested a letter for an additional P180 million so they could complete the four-story building.
Despite this, he said that the DOH was unable to provide the said amount.
“Ni-request po namin na ang city na ang magpopondo. Naglaan po ang city ng P200 million para po ma-complete po itong proyektong ito,” he explained.
