The management of Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (OMPH) is reviewing CCTV footage and considering legal action after a social media post criticized the behavior of laboratory personnel, OMPH administration announced Friday, May 23, 2025.

The controversy began when a man, believed to be a certain Mr. Corona, posted on Facebook alleging poor treatment by hospital staff.

As of May 24, 2025, the post has gathered more than 1,900 shares on Facebook.

The photo posted by Ian Corona contains the following caption with hashtags: “HINDI DAPAT KAYO TINATANGGAP SA TRABAHONG GANYAN MGA ATTITUDE KAYO NAGTATANONG KAMI KUNG SAAN NAGPAPA BLOODCHEM SASABHN NYO SAMIN!! PABASA PO!! MAY SENIOR PO AKUNG KASAMA KAYA KAMI NAGTATANONG PARA ALAM NAMIN TAPOS NAGTATANONG KAMI KUNG ANO NEED AT SAAN NAKUHA NG REQUEST! DI KAYO NASAGOT DALAWA KAYO JAN DI KAYO NASAGOT!! MAG ASSIST DI NYO MAGAWA! PERO MAG CHISMISAN NAGAGAWA NYO!! WAG KAYO MAG TRABAHO JAN KUNG GANYAN UGALI NYO!! INFORMATION DESK PERO ANO SAGOT NYO SA TANONG KO PABASA PO!! #provincialhospital #OrientalMindoro #governorbonz #BonzDolor”

OMPH officials said they conducted an immediate investigation using security camera footage to verify the incident.

According to the hospital’s public statement, the footage shows patients queuing for blood extraction and other laboratory procedures when the complainant approached the counter to ask questions.

“Agad namang sumagot ang aming personnel at pinayuhang basahin muna ang mga nakapaskil na impormasyon sapagkat sila ay kasalukuyang nakatutok sa mga sensitibong gawain gaya ng pagkuha at pag-aasikaso ng blood samples,” the hospital statement says.

The video allegedly shows one technologist focused on blood extraction while another processed samples.

After the initial interaction, the man reportedly stepped away from the counter and appeared to secretly take photos before leaving with an elderly companion without asking additional questions, contrary to his social media claims.

Hospital officials stressed that clinical laboratory work requires intense concentration and focus.

“Maaaring hindi po agad nasagot ang inyong mga tanong sa paraang inaasahan, hindi dahil sa kawalan ng respeto o ‘tsismisan,’ kundi dahil sa pagkakaroon ng mahigpit na atensyon sa trabaho upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at katumpakan ng bawat proseso,” the statement explains.

The hospital is reportedly consulting legal authorities regarding the social media post, which included photos of the laboratory and staff faces.

Officials said the post caused embarrassment and cyberbullying of employees.

The incident has triggered responses from healthcare workers familiar with hospital conditions.

One former OMPH employee commented on Facebook about the difficulties facing staff.

“Matagal po ako nagtrabaho sa OMPH..sa sobrang dami po ng pasyente at trabaho na need tapusin..Hindi po tlga agad agad matututukan isa isa..dhil n rin sa kakulangan ng staff,” the worker wrote, explaining that despite heavy patient loads and staffing shortages, most employees ensure proper patient attention despite working while tired and sometimes with delayed salaries.

“Pero hndi lng kami nagtatrabaho dhil sa sahod..kundi dhil mhal nmin ang trabaho at msaya kmi sa ginagawa nmin..alamin din muna sana natin ang sitwasyon ng mga health care workers bago nyo cla husgahan,” the former employee added.

Hospital administration urged individuals with complaints about staff conduct to formally report issues with specific employee names to the hospital office for proper disciplinary or administrative action.

“Kami po ay nananawagan ng pag-unawa, respeto, at tamang pakikitungo sa ating mga health workers, lalong-lalo na sa mga nasa frontline ng serbisyong medikal,” the statement concluded.

In a related development, and according to General Appropriation Ordinance No. 854-2024, the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro has allocated P677.1 million for healthcare services across five healthcare facilities: Provincial Health Office: P287.4 million; OMPH: P237 million; Oriental Mindoro Southern District Hospital: P70.4 million pesos; Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital: P57.7 million; and Naujan Community Hospital: P24.6 million.

The allocation does not include additional funding for facilities and modern medical equipment.

(photo lifted from the actual FB post of Ian Corona)