By Christopher Hedreyda
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) rolled out its newest healthcare program in Laguna to encourage workers to seek preventive consultations prior to acquiring sickness and diseases.
The Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) Para Malayo sa Sakit program is Philhealth’s enhanced disease prevention and early detection services under the Marcos administration’s Universal Health Care agenda.
The program, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), was launched on Sept. 16 at the Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing Inc. in Calamba City.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said all employees, regardless of employment status, are entitled to the program as part of their right to social protection.
“Kailangan kahit na anong klaseng status ng empleyado ay dapat ma-cover siya ng mga programa na magbibigay ng proteksyon sa kanya. Kung may pangangailangan, dapat mabigyan siya ng tulong ng pamahalaan,” he said.
The labor chief added that YAKAP is one of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s priority initiatives in bringing government services closer to the grassroots.
“Sabi ni Presidente bumaba tayo at iparamdam na may serbisyo at programa ang gobyerno, lalo na para sa mga nangangailangan. Alam natin dito sa Region 4A, may mga lugar na kailangang maabot natin, lalo na ang mga Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) communities, para maramdaman nila ang mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan,” Laguesma stressed.
For Kristine Joy Vivas, a Yazaki-Torres manufacturing employee, the YAKAP program ensures that workers have access to essential healthcare.
“Yung ganitong programa ay nagabibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga empleyado at kanilang pamilya na magkaroon ng access sa healthcare services. Given yung inflation at hindi naman sumasapat ang sahod, maganda na andyan ang PhilHealth na nagbibigay ng suporta. Tayong mga Pilipino ay makaka-avail ng healthcare services,” she shared.
PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado was also present at the launch which was witnessed by Yazaki-Torres employees and officials and representatives from private companies and organizations.
Under the program, primary care services—including first-patient encounters, consultations, and diagnostic laboratory tests—will be covered with a maximum co-payment of ₱900.
Cancer screening tests are also included, such as mammogram, breast ultrasound, CT scan, alpha fetoprotein, liver ultrasound, and colonoscopy, subject to case-based rates.
Additionally, patients will be eligible for an annual subsidy of ₱20,000 for about 75 medicines under the PhilHealth GAMOT program. Covered medicines include those for infectious diseases, dyslipidemia, blood clot prevention, asthma, hypertension, diabetes, supportive care, and nervous system conditions.
PhilHealth members can avail of YAKAP benefits by registering at a designated YAKAP clinic or through the eGov PH app. Once registered, members may consult doctors, undergo laboratory or cancer screening tests, and receive prescriptions for medicines.
