ILOILO City — More than P2 million benefit claims for outpatient medicines have been paid by the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Regional Office 6 under its newly launched GAMOT program – a major push to expand access to essential healthcare and ease the burden of rising medical costs in Western Visayas.
The rollout, which began following the program’s official launch on March 16, 2026, has already benefited 2,826 patients across the region, highlighting both the scale of demand and the urgency of addressing gaps in medicine access.
PhilHealth-6 said the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program is a key component of its YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), aimed at reducing out-of-pocket spending and ensuring uninterrupted access to vital treatments.
Under the initiative, qualified members and their dependents may avail of up to P20,000 worth of free outpatient medicines annually, covering a wide range of conditions such as infectious diseases, hypertension and cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyslipidemia, nervous system disorders, pain management, allergies, and other support therapies.
“Preventive care is most effective when medicines are accessible, promoting early intervention and improved health outcomes,” said PhilHealth-6 head Lazaro Tabsing.
He noted that access to medicines is being reinforced by an expanding network of 69 GAMOT-accredited providers and 210 YAKAP clinics serving as primary care access points across Western Visayas.
The aggressive rollout comes amid alarming data on chronic disease trends in the region. PhilHealth identified chronic kidney disease, pneumonia, hypertensive emergencies, stroke infarction, and upper respiratory tract infections as among the leading causes of paid claims — conditions that can be mitigated through early treatment and proper medication.
Currently, 7,988 patients in the region are undergoing hemodialysis, a figure that underscores the growing burden of unmanaged non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
“A strong primary care system not only minimizes the onset and progression of chronic diseases but also enhances the overall health of our communities,” Tabsing added.
PhilHealth said the GAMOT program represents a critical step toward equitable healthcare, reinforcing its commitment to improve health outcomes while reducing financial barriers for Filipinos seeking essential medicines./PN
