The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported that 297 Super Health Centers nationwide remain incomplete or non-operational, while the city government of Marikina defended itself against claims that one of its facilities was among the “ghost projects.”
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the finding came after inspections and reviews of government-funded health infrastructure projects that failed to open or deliver services.
Among the flagged facilities was the Super Health Center in Barangay Concepcion Dos, Marikina City, which Herbosa personally inspected on October 15. The ₱21.4-million project, envisioned as a four-story health facility, remains in its first phase, with only a steel framework standing on-site.
The unfinished structure, surrounded by tall grass, was meant to be completed years earlier under the DOH’s Super Health Center Program. “This project cost ₱21 million in public funds and began in December 2023, yet nearly two years later, it remains unfinished and has yet to provide any health services,” Herbosa said.
The DOH said the project was initially funded at ₱11.5 million to build a two-story center, but the local government revised the design to a four-story structure, raising the cost to ₱21.4 million for Phase 1 alone and ₱201 million for full completion.
Herbosa said the design changes caused delays and cost overruns. “Some centers are complete but not operational, while others remain half-built. We need to find out how to make them serve the people as soon as possible,” he added.
The DOH will submit the list of idle facilities to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on October 17 for review.
In response, the Marikina City government denied that its Concepcion Dos project was abandoned. It said the ₱11.5-million first phase was completed and validated by DOH inspectors.
“It is misleading and irresponsible for the DOH to suggest the entire facility could be finished with such limited funds. The city repeatedly followed up on additional funding, but none was released,” the LGU said.
The city said it has decided to continue construction using local funds “to ensure that Marikeños receive the quality healthcare services they rightfully deserve.”
