MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Board of Directors (Board) vetoed the proposed procurement of collaterals worth PHP37.5 million included in the marketing and promotional expenses for the state insurer’s 30th anniversary.
In a statement Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH) disclosed that official proposal for the marketing and promotional expenses reached the Board only on December 16.
“The PhilHealth Board of Directors reviews and decides on proposals coming from the PhilHealth Management, such as the marketing and promotional expenses for the official events of the corporation,” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who chairs the PhilHealth Board, said.
“The Board will always prioritize the benefits of PhilHealth members,” he added.
The PHP37.5 million worth of collaterals include umbrellas worth PHP7,910,550, perforated mesh stickers worth PHP7,300,000, tote bags worth PHP1,820,000, anniversary shirts worth PHP3,640,000, marketing shirts worth PHP1,940,000, jackets worth PHP13,650,000, katsa (cloth) bags worth PHP750,000, and button pins worth PHP545,000.
Herbosa urged the state insurer to practice financial responsibility as the Board canceled the proposed procurement to save government funds and ensure its proper allocation for members’ benefits.
The Board has four other ex-officio members that include the Secretaries of the Departments of Finance, Budget and Management, Social Welfare and Development and Labor.
It also has three expert panel members and four sectoral members. Another seat for a representative of local chief executives remains vacant.It is separate and distinct from PhilHealth’s executive officers led by president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. and executive vice president and chief operating officer Eli Diño Santos. (PNA)