Metro Manila, Philippines – The board of directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has vetoed tens of millions worth of marketing collateral for the corporation’s 30th anniversary.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dec. 18, the Department of Health said the PhilHealth board, which it chairs, called for proper spending of resources for the benefit of the health insurer’s members, amid public criticism that the corporation is awash with cash due to inefficiency in processing claims.
The board turned down the following proposed items totaling roughly P37.5 million:
+ jackets – P13.65 million
+ umbrellas – P7.9 million
+ perforated mesh stickers – P7.3 million
+ anniversary shirts – P3.64 million
+ marketing shirts – P1.94 million
+ tote bags – P1.82 million
+ katsa bags – P750,000
+ button pins – P545,000
“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
The agency said the proposal reached the PhilHealth board on Monday and was “immediately vetoed.”
It was also at Monday’s meeting that the board approved around P284 billion as PhilHealth’s operating budget for 2025.
Congress scrapped PhilHealth’s request for P74 billion in subsidy for next year amid the corporation’s P150-billion surplus in the current year.
Senators’ ire
PhilHealth has proposed close to P138 million in spending for its 30th anniversary year-round celebration next year. Former DOH special adviser and health reform advocate Tony Leachon posted the breakdown on social media, assuming it was for a Christmas party budget.
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