The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has dismissed criticism of the agency’s proposal to spend more than P137.7 million for a yearlong celebration of its 30th anniversary.
PhilHealth also said the multi-million spending plan follows government guidelines.
PhilHealth was responding to a post by health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon questioning the proposed expense in light of criticism against the state health insurer for having supposedly idle funds.
According to a breakdown that Leachon posted, PhilHealth has allocated P3.5 million for the production and publication of a coffee table book, P6.8 million for newspaper features, and more than P17 million for gala nights at its central office and at regional offices, GMA News reported.
PhilHealth said the breakdown of expenses that Leachon posted was “not yet final” and that activities planned for 2025 will benefit staff, stakeholders “and more importantly our members.”
PhilHealth said the “approved activities are reasonable, budgeted following existing limits set by the government” and will be procured under Republic Act No. 9184.
The Government Procurement Act requires competitive bidding to help prevent overpricing and graft.
PhilHealth added that it has canceled some activities and donated the savings in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for agencies to avoid lavish celebrations in light of the impact of recent typhoons on millions of Filipinos.
“PhilHealth assures the public that it is committed to transparency and prudence in the stewardship of the member’s funds,” it said, as it “reminded” Leachon to be “more responsible and cautious” about his social media posts.
Leachon, in response to PhilHealth’s statement, said the planned spending for its anniversary is “still lavish given the financial debacles facing the Filipino people and the zero subsidy in addition to the P90-billion diversion to the national treasury to unprogrammed appropriations.
“Regardless of how it is framed, the staggering amount earmarked for such events is tone-deaf and ostentatious at a time when millions of Filipinos are suffering,” Leachon, quoted by GMA News, said.
