The PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office in Caloocan. Photo from PhilHealth’s website
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Board of Directors “canceled” the P37.5-million spending for the agency’s 30th anniversary, citing financial responsibility, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.
The DOH said the proposal only reached the PhilHealth board on Monday and was immediately vetoed.
“Urging for financial responsibility, the Board of Directors decided to cancel the proposed procurement to save government funds and ensure its proper allocation for the benefits of PhilHealth members,” the DOH said in a statement.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, chairman of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, said in the same statement that the board “reviews and decides on proposals coming from the PhilHealth Management, such as the Marketing and Promotional Expenses.”
The proposed P37.5-million anniversary spending includes the following:
- Umbrellas (P7,910,550)
- Perforated mesh stickers (P7,300,000)
- Tote bags (P1,820,000)
- Anniversary shirts (P3,640,000)
- Marketing shirts (P1,940,000)
- Jackets (P13,650,000)
- Katsa bags (P750,000)
- Button pins (P545,000)
READ: PhilHealth: P138M allocation for 2025 anniversary not Christmas party
The state-run health insurer has denied allegations that it allocated P138 million for its Christmas party, saying that the funds were intended for its 30th-anniversary celebration.
Dr. Tony Leachon posted on Facebook a list of supposed Christmas party activities and expenditures and said that PhilHealth’s leadership was “abusive” for not spending the funds wisely.
The insurance agency said the approved activities are “reasonable [and] budgeted following existing limits set by the government.”
Meanwhile, the DOH said PhilHealth’s P284-billion budget for 2025 was approved, emphasizing that its funds are enough to sustain operations despite getting zero subsidy for next year.
READ: DOH: PhilHealth board approves P284-billion budget for 2025