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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH: Antipolo Super Health Center suddenly opens after year-long inactivity ahead of visit

DOH: Antipolo Super Health Center suddenly opens after year-long inactivity ahead of visit

Ongoing probe reveals millions in idle public health funds; other LGUs under scrutiny

Published Oct 16, 2025 04:51 pm
The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that the long-idle Antipolo Super Health Center abruptly opened its doors this week—just hours before the scheduled visit of DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday, October 16—after more than a year of inactivity.
The Department of Health (DOH) expects the speedy activation of idle Super Health Centers amid its nationwide inspection of non-operational facilities. (DOH)
The Department of Health (DOH) expects the speedy activation of idle Super Health Centers amid its nationwide inspection of non-operational facilities. (DOH)
The sudden activation has drawn scrutiny from the DOH, prompting a broader probe into millions of pesos in unused public health funds and other similarly stalled facilities in various local government units (LGUs).
Documents obtained by the DOH Central Office from DOH Region IV-A revealed that the Antipolo City government received P11.4 million in funding for the facility’s construction.
The first phase, worth P6.4 million, was completed in October 2023, followed by a P4.9-million second phase finished in July 2024, according to the DOH.
By mid-2024, the DOH noted that the structure was already fully completed—and that medical equipment worth P7 million had also been turned over to the local government in 2022 and 2023.
Yet despite the availability of funds, facilities, and equipment, the center remained non-operational well into 2025, the agency pointed out.
It was only after the DOH confirmed that Herbosa would visit the site—with members of the media in tow—that the health center suddenly began operating.
For months, the DOH had reportedly been quietly investigating dozens of Super Health Centers nationwide that remained unused long after completion.
These facilities were funded under a national initiative to expand access to primary care services in communities.
The DOH explained that the P12-million benchmark cost for a medium-sized health center already includes essential facilities for outpatient, laboratory, and birthing services—suggesting that the Antipolo project had sufficient resources to begin operations months earlier.
With the issue now public, the DOH said it expects local governments to expedite the activation of completed but idle health facilities across the country. 

Related Tags

Antipolo Super Health Center Ted Herbosa DOH investigation idle health facilities public funds Philippines health infrastructure Super Health Centers Philippines
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