Kapihan sa PIA highlights YAKAP

By Benilda Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- Reaffirming the Marcos administration’s commitment to inclusive and accessible healthcare, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Sorsogon featured the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) para Malayo sa Sakit of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) through its Kapihan sa PIA forum.

The forum, held September 30, 2025, at SM City Sorsogon in Brgy. Balogo, Sorsogon City, gathered leaders and focal persons from various sectors, including women’s groups, solo parents, the LGBTQIA+ community, senior citizens, the Muslim Association, vendor associations, Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, barangay local government units, and members of the media.

During the discussion, PhilHealth Social Insurance Officer I Vicente B. Ardales presented the YAKAP, highlighting the importance of PhilHealth membership for every Filipino to ensure equal access to healthcare benefits.

“Every Filipino should be a PhilHealth member because it is the agency’s duty to ensure that everyone has equal access to benefits,” said PhilHealth Social Insurance Officer I Vicente B. Ardales.

He added that PhilHealth provides hospitalization, which is curative, and YAKAP, which focuses on prevention—striking a balance so that all Filipinos can benefit. No one should be left behind in the YAKAP since it is designed to be accessible to everyone.

Ardales explained that through the YAKAP, PhilHealth now extends its coverage beyond doctor consultations to include laboratory tests and prescribed medicines, making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and comprehensive for every Filipino.

“It is already a complete package, which is why we encourage everyone to stay active as PhilHealth members and register under the YAKAP,” he said.

DICT Sorsogon Planning Assistant I Michelle D. Agua highlighted the role of technology in making the registration process more convenient through the eGovPH application.

“Through the eGovPH App, enrolling in PhilHealth’s YAKAP has become simpler. In just a few steps, users can select their YAKAP-accredited clinic for consultation and treatment and immediately begin the registration process. This innovation makes healthcare services faster, easier, and more accessible to every Filipino,” Agua said.

She added that the eGovPH App, developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), serves as a one-stop platform that integrates the services of various national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), and partner institutions to simplify and speed up transactions for citizens via the online platform.

Indigenous Peoples (IP) leader Wellington A. Bien of Brgy. San Rafael, Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon, said he was grateful for the opportunity to join the discussion.

“Most Indigenous Peoples are not fully aware of government programs, especially those related to healthcare. I am thankful to PIA, PhilHealth, and DICT for giving us this chance to learn more about the YAKAP. This will help me share and spread the information with my fellow IPs,” he said.

Marilou Barcela, president of the Women’s Association in Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon, said she also intends to share the information to their members.

“This way, our members will understand how they can benefit from this government program.”

The YAKAP expands PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) package, shifting the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention. It offers free access to primary care services such as consultations, medicines, laboratory tests, and cancer screenings.

Under the expanded package, the number of free essential medicines has increased from 21 to 75, allowing members and their dependents to receive up to ₱20,000 worth of medication per year—ensuring that more Filipinos can access life-saving medicines without the burden of high costs.

By featuring the YAKAP in its Kapihan sa PIA forum, PIA Sorsogon continues to fulfill its role as a development communication arm—bringing vital information closer to the people and helping ensure that no Filipino is left behind in the pursuit of better health and well-being. (With reports from Bertuldo Jr. Bueza)