Unused hospital extension asked to be investigated

BAUKO, Mountain Province --A private contractor is awaiting a response from the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding his request for an investigation into the unused hospital extension at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province.

The facility has reportedly been completed for nearly two years but remains closed to the public amid unresolved issues involving contract modifications and project documentation.

Engr. Bernard Banta, owner of Khatib Construction, said he had sent three letters to the auditing agency since September 2025, seeking a formal review of project records, including price lists and signatures suspected of being forged.

According to Banta, the request for an audit stemmed from disputes over changes made to the original construction contract.

Banta said his firm had kept records of its submissions but had yet to receive a response to its latest letter, dated February 6, 2026. He also raised concerns over an alleged yearlong delay in transferring documents from the provincial auditing office in Bontoc to the regional office, which he said had prolonged efforts to clarify the matter.

In his appeal, Banta cited Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which requires government officials and employees to act on public communications within 15 working days and inform the sender of the action taken.

The contractor is asking COA to clarify the status of the submitted documents and determine whether irregularities occurred during the project.

The continued closure of the hospital extension has raised questions about when the facility will become operational and serve residents in the province.

The reasons for the facility’s prolonged closure and the allegations of document irregularities have yet to be independently verified. COA has also yet to issue an official statement on the matter.