CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the government’s commitment to teachers’ health and preventive care as he inspected the rollout of PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) program at Minuyan Elementary School in Barangay Minuyan Proper.
YAKAP, a flagship health initiative implemented by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), provides free primary care services including medical consultations, laboratory tests, cancer screening, and access to essential medicines to strengthen preventive healthcare under the Universal Health Care framework.
During the visit, the President interacted with more than 200 beneficiaries including teachers, students, and parents, who availed of the services.
PhilHealth Region III-Branch B Acting Manager Arlan Granali explained that the initiative goes beyond caravan-based services.
He said that apart from on-site YAKAP caravans, teachers, students, and parents may also avail of the benefits through PhilHealth-accredited healthcare providers, ensuring continued access to primary care services.
Granali added that the YAKAP rollout forms part of PhilHealth’s 31st anniversary, marking the enactment of Republic Act 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act of 1995.
The law has since been strengthened by Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act of 2019, which ensures health insurance coverage for all Filipinos.
Minuyan Elementary School has 3,085 enrolled students. According to data from the Department of Education (DepEd)-Division of San Jose Del Monte, the city has 59 public schools and 105 private schools, expanding the potential reach of preventive health initiatives like YAKAP.
The activity highlights the administration’s effort to bring essential health services closer to educators and communities, reinforcing the link between health security and education continuity. (MJSC/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
