FACT CHECK: FB Posts Crediting Duterte For Fabella Hospital Modernization Need Context

Claim: Several Facebook posts claimed that the modernization of the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila was part of the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration. 

“Isa sa mga Duterte Legacy under the flagship project of ‘Build Build Build’ program. Ang Bagong Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital,” a Facebook post by “When In Tayuman Manila” on May 4 read.

The post added that the hospital would no longer be crowded because of its modernization and that more doctors would hopefully be hired. “Dito lang ‘yan sa Tayuman, no more siksikan, no more camping outside of (sic) hospital, higit sa lahat wala ng sharing of bed and hopefully mas madagdagan ang doktor para ma-accommodate ang lahat.”

Another Facebook post on June 9 by “Daily Duterte” stated that Duterte ordered the construction of the new facility without publicizing.

“Isa sa pangunahing pangangailangan sa Metro Manila ay ang paanakan. Batid ito ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte kayat walang news report, pinagawa niyang gusali ay makabago at maraming silid upang makayanan ang dami ng nanganganak (One of the needs of Metro Manila is a maternity hospital. That’s why President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, without having to publicize it, asked to build this new facility to accommodate all mothers who are giving birth),” the Facebook post read.  

Rating: Needs context 

Facts: The plan to modernize Fabella – known to be the country’s biggest maternity hospital —  started during the term of Duterte’s predecessor, the late former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. 

The plan to modernize the facility was announced as part of the Tri-Medical Complex Modernization Project made possible through a public-private partnership deal. 

The project, as per the official website of the Public-Private Partnership Center, was aimed at modernizing and integrating the three medical facilities located inside the compound of the Department of Health (DOH), namely Fabella, the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and the San Lazaro Hospital. 

Initially, the DOH pegged the modernization of the hospital at P750 million in 2013. A year later, the National Economic and Development Authority approved the project and allotted an even bigger budget of P2 billion. 

The DOH also gave a notice of award to J.D Legaspi Construction Corporation for the new hospital in October 2014. In February 2015, the DOH gave the go signal for the construction firm to proceed with the building.

It was not until June 2016 when the modernization program finally pushed through,  as it was decided that the new Fabella will move from the Old Bilibid Prison Compound in Santa Cruz to the nearby San Lazaro compound. 

Originally, the facility was expected to be completed by May 2017. However, due to various delays, it was only opened last May 4 with Duterte personally attending the inauguration and was covered by various media groups.

The new facility has an 800-bed capacity and is expected to provide services such as MRI, CT-scan, dialysis and several laboratory tests in the future.

Why it matters: 

The first Facebook post, shared by When In Tayuman Manila has garnered 2,800 likes and reactions, 728 comments as well as 3,700 shares as of this writing. 

The Daily Duterte post drew 15,000 likes and reactions 1,100 comments and 3,300 shares. This post is also being reposted by several other Facebook pages.

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