ILOILO City — In a major stride toward universal health coverage, nearly 88 percent of Capiz’s population is now enrolled in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the highest in Western Visayas.
Joe Frederick T. Diaz, chief of PhilHealth Capiz, reported that 736,706 residents out of the province’s total population of 837,577 are now covered under PhilHealth, ensuring wider access to essential health services.
Capiz also topped the region in health insurance contributions, recording over ₱63.16 million in payments under PhilHealth’s YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan) program — an achievement reflecting the province’s strong commitment to improving healthcare access and financial protection for its people.
The YAKAP program is an expanded version of the Konsulta Program, offering comprehensive primary care benefits that include medical consultations, laboratory tests, cancer screenings, and essential medicines at accredited health facilities. It aims to reduce the financial burden of healthcare and promote early detection and prevention of illnesses.
Among its key features is access to cancer screening services such as mammograms, low-dose chest CT scans, and colonoscopies — crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Authorized physicians under the program can also prescribe essential medicines, further supporting preventive and continuous care.
PhilHealth’s efforts in Capiz highlight the growing importance of health insurance in achieving equitable healthcare for all Filipinos. With programs like YAKAP expanding their reach, the province continues to pave the way toward a healthier and more resilient Western Visayas./PN