Billions worth of the so-called “haunted health centers” are being linked to the controversial flood control contractors, such as the Discayas, according to Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian.
In an exclusive interview at DZRH Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, October 2, Gatchalian revealed that there are 11 billion uncompleted projects for health centers and hospitals. The term “haunted” was used to describe the health centers that have established foundations and structures, but were not completed.
Moreover, Gatchalian said these projects were left desolate for about two or three years.
"Kaya ganito 'yung mga palpak na pagpaplano ng Department of Health [DOH]. Na sabi namin dapat hindi na maulit. In fact, for 2026, hindi muna kami magpapatayo ng mga health centers dahil nga ang daming health centers na hindi nag-ooperate. At dapat ibahin nila yung pagpaplano nila kasi halos ₱3 bilyon ang nasayang dito sa mga walang taong health center," he said.
Almost 319 “haunted health centers” were logged into the report, with most of them in various provinces nationwide.
"At nagtuturuan, tinuturo ngayon ng LGU [local government unit] pero sabi ng LGU, hindi naman namin kaya, wala namang kaming pondo magbayad ng kuryente o kumuha ng doktor. So sayang...May pera ang gobyerno, nasasayang lang sa mga ganitong palpak na proyekto," Gatchalian said.
How the contractors connect
From the 11 billion projects they discovered, the senator said that some of those are even connected to the controversial contractors facing scrutiny over the anomalous flood control projects. Among them are Pacifico “Curlee” and Sarah Discaya.
"Kahapon, lumabas rin sa pagdinig na merong 11 billion na mga projects na hindi tapos, uncompleted projects. 11 billion 'yun na discover namin. At meron din doon iba na konektado doon sa mga controversial na contractors tulad nila, Discaya,” Gatchalian said.
“So merong isang, I think regional hospital 'yun. O hindi, drug treatment facility na hindi natapos. Pero nakasulat doon sa report na tapos na. So ibig sabihin [ito] ay anomalous projects na nakatawid from flood control, pumunta na ngayon sa health department," he added.
When asked whether the said projects mirrored the system from the flood control, specifically insertions from legislators, Gatchalian said they cannot tell for now, as the Department of Health (DOH) has different procedures compared to other agencies.
Although they have yet to establish other links, the senator affirmed, "May 11 billion na non-completed na project, hindi tapos, may three billion na haunted health centers. At meron din mga contractor na konektado kay Discaya.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Gatchalian said there is a high possibility that corruption is also present in the said projects. For 2026, however, he stated that the Senate will ensure such incidents do not repeat. Adding to what he said, Gatchalian stated that ₱15 billion is left desolate, adding, “Aminado rin ang DOH na naaksaya ang pondo dahil sa...mahinang pagpaplano.”
"Ito patunay na 'yung mga contractors ay naghahanap ng oportunidad sa iba't-ibang departamento. Kung may pwedeng gawing negosyo, doon sila papasok. So ito, nakita natin sa health centers at sa mga health facilities," he asserted.
