CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Sunday urged state health insurer Philhealth to drastically scale down its “extravagant” February 2025 anniversary celebration costing at least P138 million.

“Government agencies like Philhealth should heed the appeal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for austerity not only during the Christmas holidays but in the months ahead, in solidarity with Filipino families in many communities still suffering and recovering from the onslaught of recent super typhoons, and with poor Filipinos,” he said.

He said the state health insurer is resorting to wasteful spending in its anniversary celebration in February since the bulk of its expenses would be devoted to giveaways like tokens, coffee table book and similar disposable items.

“The P138 million Philhealth has budgeted for the event could better be used for patient dialysis. At the increased rate of P6,350 per session, P138 million could fund 21,732 dialysis treatments and benefit the same number of patients,” he said.

He added that Philhealth members would be more appreciative of spending the huge amount for their benefit than for giveaways.

“Anong gagawin ng mga miyembro sa coffee table book o token? Mas kailangan nila ng subsidy sa dialysis, gamot o hospitalization,” he stressed.

Rodriguez also accused Philhealth officials of being “mentally dishonest” for labeling the revelation of Dr. Tony Leachon about the P138-million planned expenditure as “fake news.”

“It is not fake news. Dr. Leachon was mistaken in saying the amount was for a Christmas party but later corrected himself that it was for next year’s anniversary celebration. But he was right about the spending plan, which

Philhealth officials themselves have admitted,” he said.

“Nagpapalusot lang sila by claiming it was fake news,” he said.

He suggested that of the budgeted amount of P138 million, P130 million should be spent for members’ benefits and P8 million for the anniversary celebration.

In calling for strict austerity on the part of Philhealth, Rodriguez said it is especially more important for the state health insurer to conserve its resources now that Congress has scrapped the P74-billion national government subsidy President Marcos Jr. has proposed for it in the 2025 budget.

He said the subsidy is intended for the premium contribution of “non-contributory” members like the poor, senior citizens, those with disability, and other Filipinos who cannot pay for their health insurance and who are now covered by Philhealth under the Universal Health Care Act.

He said the so-called non-contributory members comprise around half of the more than 110 million Filipinos Philhealth is mandated to provide health insurance for.

“Because of the scrapping of next year’s subsidy, Philhealth will now shoulder the cost of premium for Filipinos who cannot afford to pay for their health insurance,” he added.

The Mindanao lawmaker reminded officials of the state insurer that the agency’s resources have already been depleted with the “illegal transfer” of about P60 billion to the national treasury.

Health advocates have questioned the transfer before the Supreme Court, and it was Rodriguez who urged the tribunal to hear the complaint before the end of the year instead of in January next year.

Rodriguez said though the high court has prohibited further transfers, “this issue is still hanging.”

“What if the Supreme Court says the remittances are constitutional and legal? Philhealth will have to transfer an additional P29.9 billion, further depleting its funds,” he said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco