Hospital workers urge DPWH to resume stalled annex project

Medical workers at the Justice Abad Santos Memorial Medical Center, a Manila City-owned public hospital, have appealed to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to resume construction of its stalled annex building.

Hospital director Dr. Ted Martin told the DAILY TRIBUNE that the project remained at the excavation stage, a year after the newspaper reported on its status. He said a DPWH team had conducted an inspection, but construction had yet to progress.

The project began in 2018 under then-Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, with City Engineer Roberto Bernardo overseeing it.

The P400-million project aims to build a seven-story annex behind the main hospital, adding 100 beds to the facility’s existing capacity of 100.

Information gathered by the DAILY TRIBUNE indicated that P200 million had already been released for the project.

Great Pacific Builders was awarded Phase 1, while Amethyst Horizon Construction was awarded Phase 2. The latter has been linked to the couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya.

Despite the initial phases, the site remains at the excavation stage.

Martin said the hospital remains congested as it serves patients from densely populated communities, including Parola and parts of Sta. Cruz. Many patients seek maternity services, adding pressure to the hospital’s 100-bed capacity.

He appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Dizon to prioritize the project and complete the long-delayed facility.

“We are appealing to President Marcos or Secretary Dizon to resume construction of this public hospital because our hospital is already extremely cramped and congested. Even if you just visit, this is a hospital for the poor, so please give it priority and allow construction to be completed after eight years of being stalled,” Martin said.