ILOILO City – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region 6 has launched a healthcare access program that promises free primary care services and up to P20,000 worth of outpatient medicines annually for workers to bring Universal Health Care benefits closer to underserved sectors.
Unveiled on May 1 in time for Labor Day, the “YAKAP para sa Manggagawa: Yakap sa Pamilyang Pilipino” initiative aims to directly deliver essential health insurance services to Filipino workers and their families across Western Visayas, including those in precarious or contractual employment.
The program streamlines frontline services such as membership validation, registration, and integration into the eGovPH digital platform, while also providing hands-on assistance in choosing accredited healthcare providers under designated YAKAP Clinics.
At its core, the YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) allows registered members and their qualified dependents to access a wide range of services without out-of-pocket expenses, including free primary care consultations, preventive health checks, laboratory tests, and essential medicines.
It also ensures timely referral to higher-level healthcare facilities when needed, strengthening continuity of care and improving overall health outcomes.
“This initiative embodies our dedication to bringing government services closer to the people, especially our hardworking employees. Through YAKAP, we are not only empowering workers and their families with the tools necessary for disease prevention and early detection but also ensuring they can thoroughly enjoy the spectrum of benefits provided by PhilHealth,” said PhilHealth Regional Vice President Lazaro Tabsing.
The rollout includes multiple service sites across the region, such as CityMall Kalibo in Aklan, Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in Antique, CityMall Roxas in Capiz, Robinsons Jaro in Iloilo City, Estancia Covered Gym, Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City, CityMall Kabankalan, and the San Carlos City Auditorium.
On-site personnel assist members in registration, updating records, validating membership, enrolling dependents, and transitioning to preferred YAKAP providers.
The initiative builds on and enhances the previous Konsulta Program, introducing the GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) component, which covers 75 essential medicines with an annual benefit ceiling of P20,000 per member.
PhilHealth said the expanded package is designed to strengthen preventive care, reduce hospitalizations, and promote early intervention.
As of February 28, 2026, a total of 1,418,716 members and dependents have been registered under YAKAP across Western Visayas, including 202,964 in Aklan, 228,106 in Antique, 253,356 in Capiz, 74,639 in Guimaras, 306,709 in Iloilo, and 352,942 in Negros Occidental.
PhilHealth urged workers and their families to visit the nearest YAKAP site to maximize the benefits, describing the program as a cornerstone of its mission to deliver accessible, responsive, and quality healthcare services nationwide./PN
