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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Super Health Center not a ghost project - Marikina gov't

Super Health Center not a ghost project - Marikina gov't

Published Oct 16, 2025 05:36 pm
Marikina City Hall
Marikina City Hall
The Marikina City local government belied claims that it has wavered in its commitment to the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the construction of the Concepcion Dos Super Health Center project, stressing that it will shoulder the expenses in the facility's development.
According to former Marikina City Mayor and now 1st District Rep. Marcy Teodoro, the certification issued by the Marikina local government in 2022, released by the DOH, was part of the health department's standard documentary requirements for establishing the facility.
Teodoro said the construction of the medical facility was originally scheduled to begin in 2021 and be completed by 2022.
However, implementation only began in November of 2023, with its first phase completed in April of the following year, after delays in DOH's release of project funds.
Teodoro explained that Marikina City was unable to fully provide the substantial funding needed to complete the health center due to several factors, including government transition, post-elections, and suspension of several city officials. These challenges prompted the city government to request for additional funding from the DOH to complete the four-story building in 2024.
While the construction of the Super Health Center is still ongoing, the city government has already built several major health-focused facilities to boost its health services. These include the Super Health Center in Concepcion Uno, City Social Welfare building, multi-level Marikina Diagnostic Center, Multi-specialty Medical Arts Building, and Mega Dialysis Center.
"The Concepcion Dos Super Health Center is not a ghost project. It was properly implemented and completed for its first phase, in full accordance with the scope of work and funding released by the DOH," the official said.
“Pinagsisikapan nating magbigay ng serbisyong medikal para sa mga taga-Marikina (We are doing our best to provide the much needed medical services to those living in Marikina)," Teodoro said, adding that the city is one of the first integration sites for the Universal Health Care (UHC).
It was also the first city to comply with the Primary Care Standards of the DOH, having 100 percent of its primary care facilities accredited by the agency.
The city government has also fulfilled its promise to hire skilled doctors, nurses, and health workers to man its major health facilities.
In a letter sent to DOH Sec. Teodoro Herbosa dated Oct. 9, the city government has "decided to proceed with the construction and completion of the facility using locally-sourced funds or our own LGU funds," after the DOH failed to release funds for the succeeding phases of the project, as requested by the City Heath Office of Marikina.
Miscommunication
According to the solon, the misunderstanding regarding the project could have been avoided through proper coordination and factual validation between the DOH and the Marikina city government.
“Inaasahan lang sana natin magkaroon ng tamang koordinasyon at komunikasyon ang DOH at local government. Nabigla ang local government na may bigla na lang pumunta at wala namang nagsabi tungkol sa inspection at nagbigay pa ng pahayag na para bang may maling ginawa o ginagawa na nakakasira sa magandang partnership ng national at local government. Nawawala ang whole-of-government approach. Ang katotohonan ay hindi pinapa-vlog -- ito ay dapat bine-verify, iniimbestigahan, at pinanagutan (We had hoped for proper coordination and communication between the DOH and the local government. The local government was surprised when someone arrived without prior notice of an inspection and issued a statement that implied wrongdoing, damaging the strong partnership between the national and local governments. The whole-of-government approach is missing. The truth should not be vlogged -- it must be verified, investigated, and accounted for)," Teodoro explained.
He also reminded officials that before making public statements, especially about government projects, facts must first be reviewed, validated, and investigated.
“When officials speak, our words have consequences, we must be responsible enough to ensure that what we say is based on truth— not speculation, not social media noise. Governance is built on coordination, prudence, and respect. Being a Cabinet Secretary and alter ego of the President, the Secretary of Health is expected to be circumspect, factual, and responsible in making public statements," he noted.

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