By Brian Campued
As the Department of Education (DepEd) intensifies preparations ahead of the opening of the School Year 2026–2027 on June 8 through the annual “Brigada Eskuwela,” the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is also strengthening its school-based YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) initiative.
This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. not only to ensure that public schools are ready for the opening of classes, but also to protect the welfare of students, teachers, and school personnel.
In a news release Friday, PhilHealth reported that a total of 7,084 beneficiaries across 66 schools have already benefited from YAKAP. This number is expected to rise in the coming weeks as the program continues to expand in more schools.
YAKAP is PhilHealth’s expanded primary care benefit package, providing members free consultations as well as laboratory and diagnostic services through accredited primary care providers.
It also includes the GAMOT benefit, covering 75 select essential medicines amounting to P20,000 annually.
Members may register through the eGovPH app, PhilHealth Member Portal, or through the state insurer’s Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs).
Once registered, members and dependents may choose their preferred PhilHealth YAKAP Clinic where they will undergo a medical assessment with accredited YAKAP doctors, who will then issue valid medicine prescriptions or referrals to partner clinics for further diagnostic, laboratory, or cancer screening tests.
With the continued collaboration between PhilHealth and DepEd, essential healthcare services are brought closer to schools and communities—allowing for early detection and treatment of illnesses that often cause students to miss classes.
“Ang aming pakikilahok sa Brigada Eskwela ay higit pa sa paghahanda ng kanilang kapaligiran. Layunin naming makabuo ng isang matibay na proteksyong pangkalusugan para sa ating mga mag-aaral,” PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng YAKAP, isinasakatuparan natin ang bisyon ng Pangulo na mabigyan ng kapanatagan ang mga magulang tungkol sa kalusugan ng kanilang mga anak bago pa man magsimula ang pasukan,” he added.
-jpv
