CANDELARIA, Quezon Province — Governor Helen Tan recently shared her observations on the ongoing state of QPHN-Candelaria hospital, highlighting both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain. When she first visited the facility in 2022, the hospital was reportedly in poor condition, with significant issues affecting cleanliness, infrastructure, and overall patient care. Since then, a series of initiatives and interventions have led to noticeable improvements, reflecting the government’s commitment to upgrading public healthcare services.

“Even before, this hospital was the first we targeted for change. Today, improvements are visible, but much of what we’ve built is still at risk of being neglected. Continuous monitoring is essential,” Governor Tan said. Her statement underscores a common challenge in public health management: while upgrades and renovations can bring immediate improvements, sustaining them over time requires consistent oversight, accountability, and engagement from both administrators and the community.

The governor’s remarks also raise broader questions about the state of public hospitals nationwide. Many facilities see bursts of progress during project periods or under new leadership, only to regress when attention shifts elsewhere. Without mechanisms to ensure long-term maintenance, investments in healthcare infrastructure may not translate into lasting improvements in service quality or patient outcomes. Governor Tan’s message serves as a call to action: development is only meaningful if it is protected, monitored, and continuously nurtured. As the public looks toward better healthcare, the pressing question becomes: Can public hospitals truly sustain improvements if oversight and accountability are not prioritized? (Larawan: Doktora Helen Tan / Facebook)