Amid the Issue, PhilHealth Vows To be More Prudent in Spending Fund
PHILHEALTH – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. assured the lawmakers that they will avoid “unexplainable expenses” and be more prudent.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. earned a lot of bashing after Dr. Tony Leachon took to social media the alleged spending of the state health insurer for its Christmas party and 30th Anniversary celebration. Many of their members were left surprised and disappointed regarding the multi-million budget set for its events.
Based on the viral post, PhilHealth has set a P138 million budget for its Christmas Party and Anniversary celebration. A huge part of its budget are set for the tokens in the aforementioned events.
Several netizens slammed the state health insurer over the alleged multi-million budget for its events. Recently, a lawmaker brought up the said issue and it earned a reassurance from the state entity.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing brought up the issue on the alleged budget set for the Christmas Party and the 30th Anniversary celebration of the health insurer.
PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. thanked the lawmaker for bringing up the issue. He assured the honorable chair and the committee that they will be more prudent and careful in their spending.
“As President of PhilHealth starting today, I will see to it and I will make sure that for all future events and celebrations and future expenses we will really be cognizant and aware of our mandate to the Filipino people on being more prudent. On avoiding ostentatious or unexplainable expenses,” Ledesma said.
A PhilHealth official also claimed that the board has already reduced the budget set for the Christmas Party and the 30th Anniversary celebration. The state health insurer’s Senior Vice President for Fund Management, Renato Limsiaco Jr., claimed that the budget is now down to P48 million from P138 million.
Based on the report, the Nueva Ecija congresswoman said it is comforting to know that the budget was lowered. However, she admitted that she is wondering if the state health insurer will result to the same move in case it has not become an issue.
Amid the lawmakers denying it of a government subsidy, PhilHealth reassured its members of continuous payment on the member benefits.