The façade of the PhilHealth Head Office in Pasig City on September 5, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. assured lawmakers they will be more conscious and prudent of its spending following issues on its anniversary celebration budget. 

Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing brought up the reported "excessive funding" of a supposed Christmas party revealed by Dr. Tony Leachon last week.

In his social media post, the public health advocate slammed the state-run health insurer by sharing a document for different anniversary-related projects amounting to P138 million.

"I would like to thank you for calling our attention on the based on your language, outrageous or unacceptable amounts. I can assure honorable chair and this committee, 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 when asked about the issue.

READ: PhilHealth urged to expedite expansion of benefits, smoother payments

Dr. Leachon later clarified the document was for PhilHealth's 30th anniversary.

The state-run health insurer will mark its 30th anniversary on February 14, but the celebration will last for the whole year.

PhilHealth Senior Vice President for Fund Management Renato Limsiaco Jr. then explained that the breakdown in the document is a proposal and is not final. 

"As discussed with the board last night, this amount reduced already. Binaba po siya. The amount for the anniversary celebration of PhilHealth for the year 2025 is 48 million pesos," he said. 

The source of funding for the anniversary projects will be from the corporate operating budget of PhilHealth.

The Nueva Ecija congresswoman said it was "comforting" to know the original amount was slashed from P138 million to P48 million.

"Kung hindi ito nasilip at hindi ito kumalat sa social media, ang tanong sa aking isipan ay babawasan ba ito ng PhilHealth? O makakalusot ba ito yung gastos na ganito kalaki for their 30th anniversary celebration," Suansing said. 

"It calls into question for our committee whether the expenditures for PhilHealth are within reasonable limits or guidelines," she added.

Department of Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert Domingo said the board disapproved of P37.5 million worth of collateral for its anniversary celebration.

READ: Philhealth board disapproves almost P38 million from anniversary celebration budget

These include umbrellas, perforated mesh stickers, t-shirts, jackets, katsa bags and button pins.

"Ang ginawa ng board, merong prinopose na P30 million pesos na ichacharge sa 2024 corporate operating budget…. Hindi pumayag yung board. Yung P30 million talagang tinagga binaba to P323,000 for postage stamps only," he said.

Domingo assured Suansing the expenses will only be P323,000 for the commemorative stamps.

The PhilHealth President and CEO guaranteed they will be more conscious of their expenses following the incident.

"I intend to convene our team and really reiterate the importance of using our expenses wisely. Again, I would like to thank you personally, on behalf of PhilHealth, for pointing this out," Ledesma said.

"I would like to assure you hindi po mangyayari yan. Thank you for the reminder, thank you for alerting us. As President, I will see to it na hindi ito mangyayari ulit," he added.

Ledesma reiterated that the expenses will be austere and simple.

"We have to be more careful. We have to be cognizant of the fact na people will see paano ginagastos ang pera," he assured.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier called on government agencies to avoid lavish Christmas parties "in solidarity with millions" affected by typhoons.

RELATED VIDEO: