BALER, Aurora (PIA) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary care as it gears up Central Luzon for the full implementation of the YAKAP program.
During the Media Forward and Appreciation Day, Acting Vice President Henry Almanon said the region is actively preparing for the program’s full implementation, emphasizing that this readiness signals significant progress in expanding primary care services across communities.
He said the state firm conducted a series of capacity-building activities for YAKAP providers, pharmacies, and partner facilities to ensure that all implementers can seamlessly deliver services once the program goes live.
These activities include system connectivity training, IT readiness checks, and simulations of virtual prescription processes, all aimed at preparing providers to support the digital workflows required under YAKAP.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth Region III Acting Branch B Manager Arlan Granali highlighted that Central Luzon’s preparedness reflects the state firm’s broader policy direction of strengthening primary care as the foundation of universal health care.
“It is actually primordial to strengthen and develop primary care in order for us to successfully fulfill the mandate of universal health care,” Granali emphasized.
Likewise, Department of Health OIC-Assistant Regional Director Lailani Mangulabnan noted that sustained efforts across the health sector remain vital in ensuring that universal health care translates into accessible and meaningful services for families.
“As we move forward, we will continue to champion universal health care and bring meaningful, accessible, and comprehensive health services closer to each home and every family,” Mangulabnan said.
The YAKAP program serves as an expanded primary healthcare package that reinforces preventive care through free consultations, laboratory tests, and cancer screenings for Filipino families.
It also extends financial protection by offering up to P20,000 worth of medicines annually to beneficiaries, strengthening support for both routine treatments and long-term disease management.
By enhancing both service access and financial coverage, the program is expected to help families seek care earlier, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and ultimately improve overall health outcomes across the region. (CLJD/MJRD, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
