THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Friday night clarified that the agency was complying with the directive of Malacañang in scaling down celebrations this Christmas.
PhilHealth’s statement on Friday night came amid accusations from health expert Dr. Tony Leachon that they had an excessive budget for its Christmas party, saying that the doctor was misinformed.
“We wish to clarify that PhilHealth is fully complying with the directive of Malacañang to scale down celebration for the Christmas season,” the state health insurer said.
After PhilHealth management issued Management Advisory 2024-003, which called for the scaling down of Christmas celebrations, the agency’s committee ordered the cancellation of some activities and donated their savings to communities affected by recent destructive typhoons.
Also, the agency clarified that a breakdown of expenses, which Leachon shared on Friday morning, intended for the insurer’s 30th anniversary celebrations next year with the theme “Panatag Kami Dito” (We are safe here), is not yet final.
Among the items in the supposed P138 million budget of the PhilHealth allotted for their celebrations included a coffee-table book, a sports meet, an anniversary logo, as well as memorabilia and special tokens for their employees.
“These activities are year-round and nationwide in scope and will be participated in by the employees, stakeholders, champions, and advocates, and more importantly, our members,” PhilHealth’s statement read.
According to the health insurer, “The approved activities are reasonable, budgeted following existing limits set by the Government, and will be procured under Republic Act 9184 [Government Procurement Reform Act].”
“These activities aim to mount a meaningful observance of this milestone year and will be leveraged to further engage our members and stakeholders to drum up interest and awareness on the many reforms that the Corporation is pursuing, especially on the enhancement of the benefit packages as envisioned in the Universal Health Care Law,” it added.
In a post on X on Saturday, Leachon insisted that the breakdown of expenses for the PhilHealth anniversary is lavish.
“It’s still lavish given the financial debacles facing the Filipino people and the zero subsidy in addition to the 90-billion diversion to the national treasury to unprogrammed appropriations. Whether it’s the final list of items or not, the amount speaks of the lack of discretion in spending public funds,” Leachon wrote.
He added that the amount earmarked for the event is “tone-deaf and ostentatious” when millions of Filipinos are suffering.
“We must not lose sight of the bigger picture. The Filipino people are enduring relentless hardships — from the lack of health care subsidies to the diversion of 90 billion to the national treasury for unprogrammed appropriations. Meanwhile, PhilHealth’s members continue to carry the burden of unpaid claims and rising out-of-pocket expenses. Whether the budget list is final or not, the amount still reflects a glaring lack of discretion in spending public funds,” Leachon said.
“Contrast this kind of celebration with the reality of mothers skipping meals to feed their children, fathers working two or three jobs yet still unable to afford basic health care, and countless families who have lost everything to recent typhoons and calamities. These families cling desperately to the hope that government institutions such as PhilHealth will prioritize their welfare,” he added.
He also said the anniversary celebrations must take the backseat “for the greater good of the Filipino people.”
“Let this serve as a wake-up call! We need fiscal responsibility and compassion from our institutions now more than ever. The Filipino people deserve leaders who are willing to forgo pomp and ceremony for the greater good. Public funds are not for lavish gatherings; they are for life-saving programs, for health care access, and for restoring dignity to those who are suffering,” he said.
Leachon on Friday decried the budget intended for the anniversary as one of the reasons they were not given a budget, due to the “abusive” leadership team of the agency for not using the funds wisely.
“The funds of PhilHealth are being used properly — for Christmas parties, contrary to [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.]’s request not to spend much this Christmas, and for its upcoming 30th anniversary, which has a budget of P138 million,” he said in a social media post.
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