COA notes P242-M idled equipment for still-unfinished gov’t hospitals

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged P242.358 million worth of idle medical equipment in 2025 mainly because recipient government hospitals and health centers were not operationally ready yet.

The agency observed the deficiencies yet again in the implementation of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), one of the banner programs of the Department of Health, in its 2025 annual audit report.

The program provides funding assistance for the infrastructure and equipment of government health facilities, including barangay health stations, rural health units, district and provincial hospitals, and specialty centers.

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The COA noted that medical equipment worth P69.818 million was undelivered to the Center for Health Development (CHD) in Western Visayas due to “ongoing procurement processes, deferred fund releases, or project modifications.”

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It also found that P172.54 million worth of equipment for several other medical facilities remained unused.

Of this, P58.067-million idle equipment was traced to the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province, due to “pending operational readiness of facilities.”

Meanwhile, at Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, equipment worth P32.524 million was unused because this was procured ahead of a medical facility’s completion, according to the COA.

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‘Prolonged delays’

State auditors also found that P26.699-million equipment was unused at the CHD in Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City) due to “prolonged delays in the operation of [super health centers].”

P25.998-million idle equipment was also traced to Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol province, due to a “pending application” with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

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The COA also identified unused equipment in CHDs in Ilocos Region (P16.895 million); Caraga Administrative Region (P10.792 million) and Cordillera Administrative Region (P1.564 million).

The COA recommended that the DOH ensure the readiness of facilities before procuring equipment and require CHDs to submit proof of installation, commissioning and initial use of supplies within 30 days of delivery.

The DOH has yet to respond to the Inquirer’s request for comment as of press time.

‘Systemic dependencies’

In the COA report, the DOH explained that it had issued two administrative orders establishing “stricter” guidelines on the preparation and implementation of HFEP projects.

The COA also said that “while the audit findings highlight critical implementation bottlenecks, it is essential to consider the complex, decentralized landscape in which the HFEP operates.”

It noted that the “observed delays do not signify a failure of intent, but rather reflect external systemic dependencies,” including the need for multiagency regulatory approvals and local infrastructure readiness.

“Rather than indicating an unattainable goal, these deficiencies pinpoint specific operational areas where interagency coordination can be tightened,” it said.

Flagged deficiencies

At the House plenary debates on the DOH’s proposed P253-billion budget for 2026 in October last year, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno questioned why only 200 out of the 600 health centers built under HFEP were functional.

The budget sponsor, Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia, explained that several health centers were not functioning “because of the lack of personnel and healthcare professionals who could run them.”

To address gaps, the DOH said last year it had launched a “catch-up plan” in the second half of 2025 by revising HFEP guidelines to expand implementation modes, and opening 55 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service centers nationwide to temporarily provide primary care while idle facilities await personnel.

In a 2017 performance audit, the COA flagged deficiencies in HFEP implementation, including problems with procurement of equipment not aligned with the actual needs; undistributed equipment at DOH regional offices; and the construction of health stations on ineligible and nonworkable project sites.

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The Philippine Institute for Development Studies, in a 2025 study, also found inequities in the HFEP’s grant distribution, with some local government units receiving funds despite not being among those most in need. /cb