Flames of Neglect
PGH safety in shambles after recent fires, minimal restoration efforts
by Miguel Buzon and Liandrei Crisostomo
As the search for the next term’s PGH director approaches, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has yet to release statements and updates regarding its fire suppression system, leaving concerns about personnel and patient safety following four fire incidents during Gerardo Legaspi’s three-term directorship. Notably, three of these fires occurred quarterly this year alone.
The hospital’s official media outlets released no statements on the fire, but updates on restored services were shared on-site, leaving some patients to rely on unofficial Facebook groups for information.
Legaspi’s term and unexplained fires
All U.P. Workers Union-Manila/PGH (AUPWU) highlighted how Legaspi, who is seeking a fourth term, prioritizes infrastructure projects over improving the working conditions of the healthcare workers.
“Bagsak talaga ang pagtingin at pagtrato sa empleyado, lalong-lalo na ang mga deputy niya. Hindi siya [Legaspi] nag-act as director kasi ipinamahala niya sa mga deputy director niya ‘yung gawain dahil ang tutok niya ay ang usapin ng PGH expansion,” Benjie Santos, AUPWU-PGH vice president, protested on Legaspi’s leadership and its impact on PGH.
Santos also noted how there were no explanations heard from the management regarding the incidents. The only information received from firefighters was that the fires had been extinguished and there were no casualties.
“Dapat nag-e-explain ng usaping legal ‘yung management para sa susunod, ‘yung mga empleyado, alam nila kung ano ulit ‘yung pwedeng pagsimulan ng sunog. Dito kasi ay wala talagang maayos na explanation sa nangyari sa sunog through management,” Santos said.
The union also mentioned how numerous equipment and utilities were destroyed by the consecutive incidents, which has greatly affected the services given to patients, limiting the spaces and quality of healthcare provided in one of the biggest modern government hospital in the country.
During the past four and a half decades, PGH has experienced a total of six fire incidents, with two-thirds of these occurring during Legaspi’s term. Alarmingly, three of these incidents happened this year, with two fires originating from the audio-visual room and one from the storage room.
One of the most scarring incidents took place on May 16, 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A fire broke out in the operating room sterilization area on the third floor of the central block, which lasted for four hours.
This fire has prompted patients to immediately transfer to other hospitals, including infants. Infrastructure damages amounted to P300,000.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) suspected that the cause of the fire was faulty electrical wiring.
Last March 13, another fire led to the evacuation of approximately 200 patients at the Immaculate Conception Chapel of the hospital coming from wards 1 to 4, as well as patients from the medical and central ICU, where numerous babies were incubated. Damages were reportedly amounting to P1.4 million.
Two fires also broke out at PGH between April 20 and Sept. 16, both linked to faulty wiring in the storage and audio-visual rooms. The incidents resulted in the evacuation of 100 to 300 patients and damaged equipment yet there were no preventive measures reported from the administration.
Blowing out a big fire
Under the General Appropriations Act this year, PGH was allocated a budget of P260 million under the University of the Philippines’ overall budget to procure a fire suppression system.
The fire incident in 2021 prompted the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release emergency funds amounting to P50 million, a quoted price by Legaspi, with a reparation period of three to four months.
Despite receiving funds to implement an effective fire suppression system, the hospital made limited progress in addressing recurring fire incidents. The union reported an increase in fire extinguishers but emphasized the absence of updates on the promised suppression system, leaving safety concerns and sustainable measures unaddressed.
Regular fire drills and zoning measures aim to enhance safety and evacuation efficiency during disasters. However, the union criticizes these efforts, noting a stark mismatch between drills and actual fire emergencies.
“Sa Ward 3, ang nangyari ay dapat dadalhin ang pasyente sa evacuation zone niya. Ang problema roon ay ‘yung pasyente ng Ward 1 puro kritikal, puro mga naka-respirator, hindi mo madala ‘yung mga pasyente sa lugar (evacuation zone), ‘yung iba nilagay na lang sa atrium kasi ito ‘yung pinakabest na magagawa mo para malayo sa sunog ang pasyente,” Santos addressed when asked about their evacuation experience.
The collective calls for a PGH-specific Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) manual, as the current UP Manila-PGH manual is campus-focused and unsuitable for a hospital setting.
“Isa ito sa mga hindi na-accomplish sa loob ng nine years na makasulat ng Disaster Manual para sa PGH alone na hindi nakadikit ang UPM. Noong 2021 pa nag-convene ang Health and Safety Committee,” AUPWU Secretary Jessie Garcia stressed.
There have also been no updates in the financial statements of the University of the Philippines system on the acquisition of the fire suppression system of the hospital despite multiple fire incidents this year.
Tracing the roots
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. prompted the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Capital Region (NCR) in early March to conduct a “comprehensive electrical system inspection” at PGH following the March 13 fire incident. However, the only publicly disclosed cause remains faulty electrical wiring as no updates were provided by the BFP on the inspection.
Santos highlighted that the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS) shared that one possible reason for the recurring fire is the procurement of high-energy equipment without updating the hospital’s electricity line that may lead to overloading.
“Ironic nga dahil very same management ang nag-pu-push ng development ng infrastructure, same administration na nagkaroon ng sunog na sunod-sunod. Ang unang common na tanong, kung nakakapagpagawa ka ng building, bakit hindi ka nakakapag-install ng fire detection and alarm system at smoke alarms?” Garcia said.
The recurring fire incidents and the limited spaces in the hospital pose a crucial change in patient care as many patients, especially those confined, experience delays in treatment and recovery as an aftermath of the damaged facilities and equipment and inadequate systems in place.
Mayeth Saraza, a College of Pharmacy intern, raised concerns about unrepaired PGH facilities damaged by the fire, including a walkway still under renovation but open to bystanders.
“Dumaan kami sa nasunog na part tapos parang nakita ko kasi doon ‘yung daanan. Noong nag-tour kami [for internship], doon lang namin nalaman na nadadaanan na siya pero hindi pa rin ito gawa at kita pa rin ang ebidensya ng sunog,” Saraza highlighted on one of the damaged PGH passageways, commonly known as ER Dugtong.
Santos emphasized how the rehabilitation of facilities damaged by the fire consumed a significant amount of money. He noted that if only these incidents had been prevented through proper safety measures, the funds could have been redirected to services for the patients.
The union also accentuated the ongoing issue of understaffing, which remains unresolved despite repeated campaigns. Santos stressed that as a hospital giving public service, sufficient staff are required to ensure that appropriate medical services are given.
“May mga pagkakataon na yung mga basic services na parang pangangailangan ng hospital ay hindi napapriority. Parang mas nakatoon talaga sa trabahong panlabas, ‘yung PGH expansion,” Santos emphasized.
On plans for better administration and spaces
Legaspi mentioned during the Oct. 28 public forum and presentation of flagship projects of the nominees for the next UP-PGH Director that he will be focusing on the PGH Masterplan that aims to expand hospital spaces, as well as, rehabilitate the current electrical system and numerous facilities including the renovation of the central block.
The union expressed their dismay when Legaspi seemed to focus more on his additional projects such as the development of the Neuroscience Center, Adult and Pediatric Specialty Center, and a Cancer Care Center which are all geared towards PGH expansion rather than addressing the improvements needed in the existing PGH Ermita facility.
“Sa iba nakatingin ‘yung administration eh, samantalang ‘yung existing infrastructure nabubulok, naagnas, nasusunog lang,” Garcia said.
With 700,000 patients every year, the Philippine General Hospital continues to be one of the biggest tertiary hospitals in the country. As the hospital caters to a majority of the population, the absence of an available fire suppression system exposes all its stakeholders to greater risks.
The UP-PGH community maintains its call for a pro-worker and pro-people leader, one that will listen and prioritize the constituents, reinstalling democratic consultations and regular dialogues with them to address long-standing issues like fires in the hospital.
