MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating why the Antipolo Super Health Center remained idle for more than a year despite being fully completed and equipped as early as 2024.

In a statement on Thursday, the DOH said the Antipolo City government had received around ₱11.4 million in funding for the project, split into two phases — ₱6.4 million for Phase 1 completed in October 2023, and ₱4.9 million for Phase 2 finished in July 2024.

The agency added that it also provided ₱7 million worth of medical equipment between 2022 and 2023 to ensure the facility’s immediate operation.

However, DOH monitoring reports showed that the health center remained non-operational until this week — reportedly opening only after local officials learned that Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and members of the media were visiting the site.

“The DOH has been quietly assessing non-operational Super Health Centers across the country to ensure that public funds are properly utilized and that communities benefit from these facilities,” the agency said.

Each medium-sized Super Health Center costs around ₱12 million and should begin serving residents once completed, the department emphasized.

Following the Antipolo case, the DOH said it expects local government units to expedite the activation of other completed but still idle health centers nationwide. (PNA)