By Rachel Magday
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has given provincial government hospitals and the Provincial Health Office a two-week window to submit the requirements for accreditation under PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), as part of his drive to bring healthcare services closer to Novo Vizcayanos.
The directive was issued during the governor’s recent meeting with Ret BGEN. Llewelyn R. Binasoy Regional Vice-President of PhilHealth Region II, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anthony S. Cortez, chiefs of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital (NVPH), Dupax District Hospital(DDH)Kasibu Municipal Hospital, Lt. Tidang Memorial Hospital, Bagabag Hospital, and Diadi Emergency Hospital, along with members of the Local Finance Committee. Discussions centered on PhilHealth’s revitalized primary care benefit package, YAKAP.
YAKAP expands the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) package to include more primary and outpatient care services such as medicines, check-ups, and basic laboratory tests.
Cancer screening tests will also be available to members for free at selected hospitals through valid prescriptions from accredited primary care providers. The program further broadens access to essential medicines under the strengthened PhilHealth Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program.
According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anthony S. Cortez, PhilHealth members can enroll in the YAKAP program by registering through the eGovPH app, the PhilHealth Member Portal, or any PhilHealth office and selecting a YAKAP Clinic. After registration, they should visit their chosen YAKAP Clinic for a consultation to obtain a prescription for essential medicines, which will then be dispensed at an accredited GAMOT provider.
“Timely accreditation will enable Novo Vizcayanos to access these expanded benefits through local health facilities—from medicines and check-ups to basic lab tests and cancer screening—without having to travel far or pay out of pocket,” Governor Gambito said.
