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DOH’s version of flood control scam? 600 health centers but only 200 operational

Article (news)

Darylle Sarmiento

ABS-CBN News

Over the last decade, the Department of Health has allocated P400 billion to local government units for its Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).However, only 200 out of 600 health centers across the country are currently operational, according to DOH data.This was raised during recent budget deliberations by Akbayan Party-list Representative Atty. Chel Diokno, who pointed to DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s earlier remarks comparing the HFEP to the controversial “flood control” projects.“Yun po ba ang dahilan kung bakit itinuring ni Secretary Herbosa na yung HFEP ang ‘flood control’ version ng DOH?” Diokno asked.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/9/herbosa-on-non-functional-health-centers-yan-ang-flood-control-ng-doh-1936">Herbosa on non-functional health centers: &#x27;Yan ang flood control ng DOH&#x27;</a></div>Responding on behalf of the department, DOH budget sponsor and Bataan 2nd District Representative Albert S. Garcia denied that the HFEP is a “ghost project” scheme.“Hindi po ibig sabihin nito na ghost project itong mga health centers. Nandun po sila. Kaya lang, dahil kakulangan po ng mga taong o healthcare professionals na magpapatakbo nito so they are not functioning. But, they are there waiting to be activated,” Garcia explained.Diokno pressed further, questioning what actions the DOH Secretary had taken to address the situation.“Since according to Secretary Herbosa ay ito ngang HFEP ay ang flood control version ng DOH ano po ang nagawa ng kalihim para ayusin itong problema?” he asked.Garcia responded that to help address the 400 non-functional health centers and improve primary care services, the DOH has opened 55 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers nationwide.Still, Diokno expressed concern over the slow pace of reform. “I’m wondering why it’s been 7 years since this performance audit report was made, but only now that these control are being strengthened by the Department.”Garcia acknowledged challenges within the HFEP’s implementation.“Every year po ay gumagawa ng catch up plan and modifications ang Department of Health.” he said, while also admitting, “Pero, talagang andami pong challenges pagdating po sa implementation ng HFEP.”To accelerate the program, the DOH recently issued updated guidelines to add to the modes of implementation.While there is a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with LGUs requiring them to assign personnel to the health centers, discussions during the deliberations revealed that many LGUs lack the necessary funding to hire healthcare workers, rendering the facilities non-functional despite their physical completion.

Only 200 out of 600 health centers across the country are currently operational, according to DOH data.

Only 200 out of 600 health centers across the country are currently operational, according to DOH data.

DOH's version of flood control scam? 600 health centers but only 200 operational

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DOH's version of flood control scam? 600 health centers but only 200 operational

Darylle Sarmiento,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 30, 2025 08:21 AM PHT

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DOH version

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