By Nimfa L. Estrellado Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan visits the construction site of the Southern Luzon Multi-Specialty Medical Ce...
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| Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan visits the construction site of the Southern Luzon Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Barangay Potol, Tayabas City, on October 13, 2025 to check the current status of the project. (Quezon PIO) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Growing scrutiny over an unfinished multi-billion-peso hospital project has placed Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan in the public spotlight this week. The project has drawn attention because of its scale, cost, and its planned role as a major referral hospital for Southern Luzon.
Tan addressed public concerns over the delayed construction of the Southern Luzon Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Tayabas City after photos of unfinished structures circulated on social media on Wednesday, Jan 22. She said the project remains ongoing and has not been abandoned, citing funding and procurement setbacks that have affected construction timelines.
In an on-air interview, Tan said the hospital was established under Republic Act No. 11702, which was signed into law in April 2022 during her term as Quezon’s 4th District representative. She said the measure was authored in Congress in partnership with Mark Enverga to address the need for a large, specialized referral hospital in Southern Luzon.
Under the law, construction of the hospital is handled by the Department of Public Works and Highways, while operations will be managed by the Department of Health, placing the project under national government control. Once completed, the facility is intended to function as an end-referral multi-specialty hospital serving Quezon Province and nearby regions, including Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Bicol, Marinduque, Romblon, and Metro Manila.
The governor said the medical center is designed as a three-building tertiary hospital meant to serve Southern Luzon. Completing the buildings alone is estimated to cost ₱1.7 billion, not including site preparation and other support facilities.
Since construction began, around ₱480 million has been allocated through successive General Appropriations Acts, with funds released in stages rather than as a single, full project allocation. This phased funding arrangement has affected construction scheduling and limited the ability to complete multiple buildings at the same time.
Tan said portions of the 2025 budget were not implemented after bidding processes failed, requiring agencies to restart procurement. She added that operational constraints within DPWH also affected timelines, resulting in uneven construction activity across different sections of the site.
“The project is not abandoned, and it is not a ghost project,” Tan said. “Construction is visible on the ground, and work has continued. The delays are linked to funding levels and the timing of releases.”
Public records show that DPWH awarded construction contracts on a yearly basis beginning in 2023, with separate agreements issued for different phases of the project as funds became available. One contract has been completed, while others are either ongoing or have yet to begin, reflecting the phased release of funds and step-by-step implementation.
Funding has already been programmed for 2026 to allow construction to continue and move the remaining structures toward completion. These allocations are intended to sustain site activity and prevent further work stoppages.
The governor emphasized that while the provincial government does not finance or build the hospital, she continues to monitor its progress and coordinate with DOH and DPWH officials. She said the facility remains important because many Quezon residents still travel to Metro Manila for specialized treatments such as heart procedures and cancer care.
Large hospital projects of this scale typically involve multiple government agencies and require sustained funding and coordination before full operations can begin. This year, DPWH allocated an additional ₱200 million for the project, while the DOH has yet to announce a public timetable for completion and opening.
As of press time, no official statement had been issued by the Department of Health or the Department of Public Works and Highways regarding the current construction status, funding implementation, or projected timelines. The agencies have not publicly provided additional details on the next phases of the project or its expected completion.
Against the backdrop of widespread public discussion and heightened attention on social media, Tan said information about major public projects should be presented clearly and in proper context. She said accurate reporting is essential to prevent misunderstanding and to ensure the public can make informed judgments based on verified facts.
“Press freedom is important and respected, but accuracy and proper context also matter,” Tan said. “Misleading captions and images can confuse the public. I encourage everyone to rely on verified information and think carefully before sharing reports online.”
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