More than 300 residents and students benefited from healthcare services during the “YAKAP na Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Pangkalusugan, Proteksiyong Pangkalahatan” held at the Legazpi City National High School Covered Court in Rawis on Monday.
The activity was part of the nationwide initiative, which brings PhilHealth services closer to communities through school- and community-based platforms.
In his opening message during the activity, PhilHealth Regional Vice President for Bicol Alberto Manduriao said YAKAP supports efforts to strengthen access to primary healthcare under Universal Health Care.
He said PhilHealth Bicol paid PHP5.46 billion to accredited healthcare facilities during the first half of 2026, covering more than 415,000 claims.
In an interview, Manduriao said bringing healthcare services closer to communities is important because some Filipinos tend to delay consultations due to concerns over treatment costs.
“It is very important that we bring medical or health services closer to our communities and to all members,” he added.
Manduriao said YAKAP members who register with accredited YAKAP facilities may avail themselves of covered services, including consultations, laboratory tests and X-rays, as well as medicines for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.
Patients who may require cancer screening may also be referred by YAKAP doctors to accredited facilities, while those diagnosed with illnesses such as dengue may be referred to government or private hospitals for further treatment and applicable PhilHealth hospital benefits, he added.
Manduriao said covered YAKAP services are provided without payment from members, with PhilHealth paying accredited YAKAP clinics for the services rendered.
Bernard Cruz, a teacher of Legazpi City National High School and a PhilHealth YAKAP member, said the program makes healthcare more accessible, particularly to people with limited time and financial resources.
“This is a big help because the consultation is free, especially now that life is difficult. It is a significant assistance to people like me who do not have a considerable salary and have to prioritize food and medicine,” he said.
Cruz, who attended the activity to avail himself of a free consultation, said he also plans to use the program’s free checkup and medicine services, noting the importance of accessible healthcare for families facing financial difficulties.
Meanwhile, Russel Jay Astor, a student at Legazpi City National High School, said the activity helped students learn about YAKAP and the healthcare services available to them.
“Thank you very much to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for this program because it can help every student, not only their parents but also students like us. We can learn about the YAKAP program and avail ourselves of different health services,” Astor said. (PNA)
