KMJS: Amid flood control scandals, PH health centers also struggle with corruption

Beyond anomalous flood control projects, the Philippines also faces corruption in the Department of Health (DOH) through its health center projects.

DOH budget sponsor and Bataan Representative Albert Garcia said that over the last 10 years, the government has allocated approximately P170 billion for the DOH's Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), totaling P400 billion when commodities and human resources are factored in.

The DOH also launched other projects, such as the expansion of primary care facilities dubbed Super Health Centers and multi-storey facilities called Mega Health Centers. However, these projects were deemed corrupt.

Mega Health Center in Cagayan de Oro

For instance, one of the supposed Mega Health Centers located in Sitio Macanhan in Brgy. Carmen, Cagayan de Oro, is now being used as a "sampayan" or clothesline. 

Construction began in March 2024 but remained unfinished due to the contractor, Nurben Engineering, allegedly abandoning the project. This Mega Health Center is a project initiated by the local government.

A patient in CDO named Jenepher said it would be a great help if the health center were finished because other nearby public hospitals in their area are always full.

"Nanghinayang kami. Kesa magalit pa tayo, wala tayong magawa," she said. "Sana mapatuloy na nila ang project dyan sa Macanhan kay maraming tao din ang lumalapit dyan."

["We felt regret. Instead of getting angry, there's really nothing we can do. We hope they can continue the project there in Macanhan because many people go there."]

Barangay Health Center in Miagao, Iloilo

A health center completed in 2015 in a remote area in Miagao, Iloilo, was never used and is now rotting.

"Nagulat ako nu’ng nakita ko na ganu’n na pala 'yung itsura doon sa loob. Kaya laking hinayang po namin," a resident named Jessa said.

["I was surprised when I saw what it looked like inside. That's why we felt such regret."]

"Laking panghihinayang talaga na abot-kamay mo 'yung makakatulong po sa mga tao dito pero parang walang silbi," she added.

["It's really a huge disappointment that something that could help the people here is already within reach, yet it seems useless.”]

Miagao Mayor Richard Garin Jr. claimed the health center was a project implemented by the previous administration that was never turned over.

Super Health Center in Cadiz

A P17 million Super Health Center in Cadiz, Negros, was left unfinished by its July 2024 deadline.

Durabuild Construction, the contractor behind the project, claimed that its almost P10 million contract "covers structural works only" and doesn't include finishing works.

Meanwhile, Cadiz Mayor Salvador G. Escalante Jr. said that their office shifted priorities to building a P380 million city hospital.

"I'm building a P280M hospital plus another probably P100M to fit the beds, the hospital equipment, and so on and so forth. It's a P380M project funded by the city," he said.

The DOH revealed that out of 800 health centers funded over the past four years, more than 300 are currently non-operational.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa  acknowledged that some of the same top 15 contractors implicated in DPWH fraud are also working on DOH projects.

Meanwhile, internist and cardiologist Dr. Anthony Leachon, said in an interview with Jessica Soho that if the Philippines were a patient, "Tayo po eh nasa ICU na ngayon. In fact, malapit nang mamatay. Malapit sa morgue na."

[“We are now in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). In fact, our country is close to dying– close to the morgue."]

He also highlighted the controversy surrounding the PhilHealth funds in 2024, where over P89 billion surplus was ordered returned to the National Treasury by the Department of Finance, allegedly becoming a source of corrupt funds.

However, Leachon remains hopeful, demands justice, and the imprisonment of corrupt officials.

"Habang hindi natin nakakamit ang justice, hindi tayo mapapatahimik," he said. "Ikulong 'yung mga kurakot, 'yan."

["As long as we don't achieve justice, we will not be silenced. Jail the corrupt people, that's it."]

"Hindi lang sa flood control, hindi lang sa edukasyon, sa kalusugan at lahat ng sangay ng pamahalaan. 'Yan ang kailangan natin," he added.

["Not just in flood control, not just in education, but in health and all branches of government. That's what we need.”]

# —Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News