A lawmaker has called for a Senate investigation into the reported delays and unfinished projects under the government’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
Concerns were raised over persistent reports involving abandoned construction works, incomplete health facilities, substandard structures, and the lack of essential medical equipment in several public health projects.
In filing Senate Resolution No. 384, Senator Christopher Go said the Senate Committee on Health and Demography has repeatedly reminded the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that health facilities funded under the program are completed, properly equipped, and fully operational.
Despite these reminders, the senator said problems surrounding the implementation of the program continue to surface.
According to the lawmaker, delays and inefficiencies in the program not only result in possible waste of public funds but also affect the delivery of healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved communities where access to medical facilities remains limited.
He noted that while the DOH oversees the implementation of HFEP projects, local government units also play a key role in managing, staffing, and operating health facilities within their jurisdictions.
The HFEP is one of the government’s flagship healthcare programs aimed at upgrading, constructing, repairing, and maintaining public health facilities nationwide.
Based on DOH data as of March 2025, the country has a total of 41,963 health facilities, including 1,338 hospitals, 630 infirmaries, 2,674 rural health units, 26,239 barangay health stations, and over 11,000 other health-related facilities.
Go said the proposed Senate inquiry aims to identify the causes of project delays and determine measures needed to improve the implementation and monitoring of health infrastructure projects across the country.