PhilHealth urges Negrenses to register in YAKAP

A PhilHealth medical specialist is encouraging residents of Negros Occidental to register for the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), which aims to prevent diseases and promote wellness among Filipinos.

PhilHealth Medical Specialist Mary Ellen Grace Bolido said that YAKAP is a rebranded and enhanced version of the existing “Konsulta Program,” designed to address the outpatient health needs of Filipinos.

By 2026, PhilHealth plans to increase the number of free medicines from the current 21 to 75 under the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient (GAMOT) initiative, she said.

The program entitles every Filipino to P20,000 worth of medicines annually, available at YAKAP-accredited medical facilities, she noted.

At a YAKAP clinic, patients can access free consultations, medicines, laboratory tests, and a recently added service: cancer screening.

Bacolod PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Officer Edgar Yocariza reported that only 29% of PhilHealth members in Negros Occidental are registered for the YAKAP program, urging more Negrenses to enroll.

There are currently 49 YAKAP-accredited facilities in the province, with more clinics seeking accreditation, he added.

He mentioned that Bacolod City currently has three YAKAP providers: Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), Bacolod City Health Office (CHO), and Medisense, a privately-owned clinic.

To register for YAKAP, individuals can download the eGov App, visit the PhilHealth Member Portal, go to local PhilHealth offices, or register directly at a YAKAP clinic.

According to Bolido, the program is intended for all Filipinos, regardless of socioeconomic status, including OFWs, government and private sector workers, domestic workers, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), infants, indigents, and dependents.

“PhilHealth envisions healthy Filipinos, free from diseases. We welcome everyone,” she added.* (Lorenzo Lambatin)