The intention of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa regarding his alleged exposé on the Super Health Center in Marikina City was came into question after his remark was caught on the Facebook live of DOH.
While inspecting a Super Health Center (SHC) in Marikina City, Herbosa was heard in a live TV interview seemingly trying to dodge blame when he said, “At least tayo ang nag-expose. It’s better na tayo nag-expose kaysa tayo ma-expose. Bahala na sila magpaliwanag.”
However, the DOH cut Sec. Herbosa’s comment short in its Facebook Live broadcast.
Sec. Herbosa’s statement referred to the SHC in Concepcion Dos, which he called non-operational.
The local government, however, responded by saying it decided to shoulder the construction expenses after the DOH failed to release funding for the succeeding phases of the project.
The local government conveyed its intention in a letter to Herbosa dated October 9, 2025.
“Dahil kailangan ng tao ang serbisyong medikal, kami na ang kusang nagdesisyon magallocate ng P200 million budget dito sa aming budget for 2026. The super health center will not just give basic health services but also integrate an autism center for people with special needs,” said Marikina Mayor Maan Teodoro.
Marikina had also written to the DOH in 2024 requesting an additional ₱180 million to complete the four-story Super Health Center, but the agency did not provide any funding.
Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2024, funded with ₱21 million under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), which only covered the so-called foundational works.
“To be clear, we have done our part as the local government to complete the first phase of the project in line with the budget provided by the DOH. Ang DOH ang may pagkukulang,” said Mayor Teodoro.
