Davao: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation - Davao Region (PhilHealth-11) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government - Davao (DILG-11) have entered into a memorandum of agreement to expedite the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC) across the Davao Region.

According to Philippines News Agency, PhilHealth-11 Regional Vice President Harvey Carcedo emphasized that the partnership would facilitate easier access to healthcare services for Filipinos. The move addresses the concerns of families who defer medical consultations due to financial worries and communities awaiting medical services.

The joint effort is designed to optimize UHC by ensuring services are accessible directly in barangays, where residents usually seek primary healthcare. The initiative aims to inform, enroll, connect, and protect all residents in the Davao Region under the national health insurance scheme.

Carcedo highlighted the importance of bringing government services closer to the people by engaging barangay captains, who are pivotal in community interactions. The partnership emphasizes five core areas: advocacy, enrollment in the YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), empowerment through health advocates and knowledge officers, primary care access, and data collection.

DILG-11 Regional Director Abdullah Matalam expressed confidence in the collaboration's potential to reach numerous communities. Matalam noted that while DILG and PhilHealth have different mandates, their shared goal is to make government assistance impactful in the everyday lives of Filipinos. He reiterated the role of DILG and local government units as crucial links between communities and essential health services.