PhilHealth Says P15B Funds Not Stolen But Used To Address Pandemic
PHILHEALTH ON P15B FUNDS NOT STOLEN – The controversial P15 billion missing funds of PhilHealth was said to be given to hospitals to address the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, PhilHealth was in the middle of controversy after controversy regarding “irregularities” in their funds. Afterward, amidst all the heat, several high-ranking officials of the state-run insurer left their post citing “Health issues”.
This led to the infamous P15 billion unallocated funds that were allegedstolen. However, the agency’s spokesperson Rey Baleña said the P15 billion went to hospitals to aid with their virus response.
During an interview with ANC, Baleña emphasized that:
The P15-billion issue they went to the hospitals, partner facilities of PhilHealth, 711 in all nationwide…
These funds were used to ensure that they are kept open, servicing our patients who will be affected by the pandemic
Furthermore, he stressed that the funds weren’t stolen as hospitals were “able to receive and use the funds”. Baleña explained that because of the liquidation forms PhilHealth received, this was proof enough that the funds weren’t stolen.
Along with this, he said that P13.8 billion or around 92% of the funds have already been liquidated. He added that PhilHealth could publicize a full liquidation report by next month.
Moreover, PhilHealth noted that allegations of padding, upcasing, and upgrading are being investigated. “If the hospitals will be found guilty of these violations, they will be meted with the corresponding penalty“, Baleña said.
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