Bicol: The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in the Bicol Region (PhilHealth-5) has successfully registered over 1.41 million members and dependents for the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) package. This package offers free basic medical services and preventive care to Filipinos.
According to Philippines News Agency, Leri Ilagan, head of the public affairs unit of PhilHealth-5, explained that YAKAP is an expansion of the former PhilHealth Konsulta program, aiming to provide more accessible healthcare services. In Bicol, Camarines Sur leads the registration numbers with 396,452 members and 74,053 dependents. It is followed by Sorsogon with 245,785 members and 90,412 dependents, Albay with 190,475 members and 61,096 dependents, and Camarines Norte with 135,348 members and 59,295 dependents.
Masbate and Catanduanes have also shown significant participation, with 93,695 members and 27,728 dependents, and 26,048 members and 12,513 dependents, respectively. Ilagan noted that more than 6.3 million Bicolanos are PhilHealth members, with a target to enroll up to 2.5 million members and dependents in YAKAP this year.
As of May 14, PhilHealth-5 reported that 908,000 YAKAP-registered members had their first patient encounters in 2025 and 2026. The agency has disbursed PHP683 million for 1.53 million beneficiaries for those years.
Out of 194 YAKAP clinics accredited in the region, 155 are government-run facilities, while 39 are private clinics. These clinics are required to accept all members selecting their facility unless they reach full capacity. In addition, YAKAP caravans are being held in various local government units to encourage further enrollment.
