Bacolod: A group of beneficiaries in this city commended the vital support they receive from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), particularly the benefit from the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT).
According to Philippines News Agency, in observance of the 124th Labor Day, PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office Bacolod launched the GAMOT Program during the "YAKAP para sa Manggagawa: Yakap sa Pamilyang Pilipino" event at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central here on Labor Day.
"We enjoin residents of Negros Occidental to register with PhilHealth to avail of the benefits of YAKAP," PhilHealth Bacolod head Edgar Yocariza said.
GAMOT provides members and their dependents with access to 75 essential medicines for common and chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes, asthma, infections, and selected cardiovascular and neurological conditions. Each beneficiary, whether a member or a dependent, is entitled to up to PHP 20,000 worth of medicines per year.
Marc Kenneth Morano, 33, of Barangay 9, shared how the GAMOT Program is helping him get free medicines and reduce personal expenses. "Being able to receive PHP20,000 worth of free medicines will lessen my expenses amid the rising prices of everyday needs," Morano said. He obtains a prescription and receives free medicines from the YAKAP clinic and pharmacy at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here.
"This is such a big help. I can relax and get my free maintenance medicines," Orville Quezon, 45, of San Dionisio Subd., Barangay Granada said. Instead of spending about PHP3,000 monthly for essential medicines, he gets to save money by visiting YAKAP clinic ICM Manila Inc. for prescription and claims free medicines from any GAMOT provider.
Jovy Lachica, 54, of Barangay Alangilan, said the amount he saves from free medical consultation and medicines will be spent on food and other family expenses. "For poor families who cannot afford to buy medicines regularly, this program is a big help," the father of two said. Lachica goes to Medisense Laboratory Center Inc. for consultation and free medicines from LGE Pharmacy.
Pharmacy owner Marichu Trinidad said her family is able to serve the community by being a partner of the PhilHealth YAKAP and a GAMOT provider. M.C. Trinidad Blessed Pharmacy in Silay City is one of the GAMOT providers in Negros Occidental as of April 30, 2026. "We really want to help the patients in Silay City by improving their access to medicines. We are really able to serve the Silaynons," she added.
