SEN. Bong Go expressed concern over reports of inefficient implementation of the government’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
The HFEP is a government initiative aimed at improving hospitals, rural health units, village health stations, and other medical facilities nationwide through infrastructure development, equipment acquisition and modernization projects.
During the Senate Committee on Health and Demography hearing on May 11, Go urged the Department of Health and local government units to strengthen coordination to ensure that completed health care facilities are operational for public use.
Lawmakers during the hearing raised concerns over implementation bottlenecks that reportedly affect the delivery of health care services in several provinces, including delays in project completion, insufficient manpower, and the absence of operational equipment despite completed structures.
The senator stressed that health care infrastructure projects must deliver tangible benefits to communities, particularly in underserved and remote areas where access to medical services remains limited.
Go cited the success of Super Health Centers established in Tingloy, Batangas; Anilao, Iloilo; and parts of Bukidnon as examples of effective collaboration between the national government and local governments.
He said such synergy prevents completed health care projects from becoming unused or underutilized.
“I want to express my support for this committee in assessing the status of our health care facilities nationwide, identifying implementation gaps, and ensuring that public funds allocated for health care infrastructure translate into accessible, functional and quality health care for every Filipino,” Go said.
