Cagayan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Cagayan province to inspect the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy at a local hospital and lead the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) caravan. Marcos began his visit at the Alfonso Ponce Enrile Memorial District Hospital (APEMDH) in Gonzaga, welcomed by Governor Edgar Aglipay, Mayor Rellie Dalmaceda, and hospital chief Dr. Rowena Sion. He engaged with healthcare workers, visited patients, and examined the execution of the ZBB program.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Presidential Communications Office stated that the President observed the zero balance billing initiative at the district hospital, fully supported by the provincial government. This program ensures eligible patients do not incur out-of-pocket expenses during confinement in government hospital wards. Marcos also revealed plans to expand the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program and establish specialty wards in provincial hospitals for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and dialysis care, enhancing access to essential medical services.
APEMDH, a Level 1 district hospital with a 25-bed capacity, is crucial for healthcare in Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita, and parts of Buguey, attending to an average of 210 patients daily with the support of 95 medical and non-medical personnel.
In Sta. Ana, Marcos led a medical mission at the Fishery National High School under YAKAP, a flagship health initiative in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The mission provided health services to learners and school personnel, benefiting around 500 teachers, students, and parents with medical and dental services, psychological first aid, and free medicines.
YAKAP, an expanded version of PhilHealth's Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama program, now offers additional medicines, essential drugs, laboratory procedures, and cancer screening, operating in 3,582 facilities nationwide and reaching 91 percent of cities and municipalities. Marcos also supervised the distribution of emergency kits to 100 learners and food packs to 100 teaching and non-teaching staff. Sta. Ana Fishery National High School has a student population of 2,044.
Prior to the caravan, Marcos conducted a situation briefing on recent calamities in Cagayan, attended by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, and local officials. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported PHP655.6 million in damage to agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and infrastructure, with 41,001 houses affected-2,616 destroyed and 38,385 partially damaged.
