Marikina pushes through with super health center despite lack of DOH funding

The Marikina City government on Thursday refuted claims by the Department of Education (DepEd) that it had wavered in its commitment to shoulder the completion of the super health center in Barangay Concepcion Dos, which was promised through a 2022 letter when the city had ample funds.

The certification from the Marikina local government, released by the Department of Health (DOH) in 2022, was part of the standard documentary requirements for establishing the super health center in Concepcion Dos.

However, the DOH was delayed in releasing the funds intended for the project, according to former mayor and now First District Representative Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro.

The former mayor said the project was supposed to start in 2021 and be completed by 2022, but because of the DOH’s late download of funds, implementation began only in November 2023, with the first phase completed on 19 April 2024.

Due to several factors—including government transition, post-election adjustments, and the suspension of several city officials—the local government was unable to provide sufficient funds to complete the health center. This prompted the city to request additional funding from the DOH in 2024.

Teodoro reiterated that the ₱21.5 million released by the DOH was insufficient to fully construct the four-story facility, which was designed to cater to people with special needs and serve as a specialty center.

He also noted that during that period, the city had multiple major health projects underway, including the Super Health Center in Concepcion Uno, the City Social Welfare Building, the Marikina Diagnostic Center, the Multi-Specialty Medical Arts Building, and the Mega Dialysis Center.

“Dahil hindi pa nga nasisimulan o tinatapos ang Concepcion Dos Super Health Center, nagtayo tayo ng Super Health Center sa Concepcion Uno, City Social Welfare building, multi-level Marikina Diagnostic Center, Multi-specialty Medical Arts Building, and Mega Dialysis Center,” Teodoro said.

Marikina City is among the first integration sites for Universal Health Care and was the first city to fully comply with the DOH’s primary care standards, with all 18 of its primary care facilities accredited.

On Wednesday, 15 October, the city government announced it would complete the Concepcion Dos Super Health Center using local funds after the DOH failed to release the next phase of funding requested by the City Health Office.

In a letter to DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa dated October 9, 2025, the city stated it has “decided to proceed with the construction and completion of the facility using locally-sourced funds or our own LGU funds.”

Teodoro stressed that the Concepcion Dos Super Health Center is not a “ghost project,” saying it was properly implemented and completed for its first phase in full accordance with the scope of work and funding released by the DOH.

“This misunderstanding could have been avoided through proper coordination and factual validation between the Department of Health in consultation with the Marikina city government,” he said.

“It’s a simple case of miscommunication that could have been avoided should the DOH conducted due diligence,” he added.

Teodoro also cautioned officials to ensure accuracy before making public statements, especially on government projects.

“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,” he said.

“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.”