Legazpi: Over 4,000 private employees can now access free consultations, medicines, and laboratory tests through PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) after it was launched simultaneously in the cities of Legazpi, Naga, and Sorsogon on Tuesday. In an interview, DOLE Bicol Regional Director Imelda Gatinao said the program aims to strengthen preventive and outpatient healthcare services for workers in Bicol.
According to Philippines News Agency, the YAKAP program is designed for outpatient and preventive healthcare. Workers no longer need to wait until they are sick to benefit from PhilHealth. Even ordinary employees, not just those who can afford it, can now easily consult and avail themselves of these services. Gatinao added that the program benefited 2,000 employees from LCC Malls, 238 from the Sorsogon II Electric Cooperative (SORECO II), and 1,800 from Quantrics Enterprises, Inc.
Gatinao shared that the YAKAP program is already making a difference in workplaces. The aim is to expand its reach so that more workers, especially those who are not yet aware, can experience the support and benefits of preventive healthcare. Johnson Garcia, a 43-year-old resident of Barangay Tinago, Legazpi City, expressed his gratitude for the program, saying it provides much-needed relief. He mentioned that the registration process was quick and efficient, and the explanations from DOLE and PhilHealth were very clear.
Another beneficiary, Eden Pilolo, 35, from Malilipot, Albay, said the accessibility of the program makes it easier to avail of medical services. Pilolo appreciated knowing that there is support for health issues and praised the approachable PhilHealth staff. Anecia Gomez mentioned that she enrolled in YAKAP due to the accessible healthcare services provided by a facility she trusts, highlighting that easy access to medicines, check-ups, and laboratory tests will not be a burden.
PhilHealth Bicol spokesperson Leri Ilagan noted that the partnership of the agency with other government agencies enhances the program’s reach. The goal is to encourage enrollment and raise public awareness about the availability of these services for members.
