Davao: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation-Davao Region (PhilHealth-11) paid PHP447 million in claims under its YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) preventive care program last year, benefiting 661,000 members, officials reported Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, despite the payouts, PhilHealth-11 noted that only 30 percent of regional members are registered for the YAKAP program. This program, an expansion of the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) initiative, aims to shift the focus from treatment to prevention and enhance healthcare accessibility at the community level.
Germaine Tan, the officer-in-charge for field operations, emphasized the importance of the program for promotive and preventive care during a press briefing. Tan encouraged members to utilize YAKAP clinics regularly to avail of PhilHealth benefits without needing to fall ill.
Regional Vice President Harvey Carcedo appealed for media assistance in promoting YAKAP, highlighting that limited staff resources are a challenge for widespread outreach. Carcedo stressed the need for member education regarding the consultation opportunities available through the program.
Launched in July 2025, the enhanced primary care package includes 20 tests, an increase from the original 15 basic laboratory tests. The package also offers free cancer screening for colorectal, lung, liver, and breast cancers at select hospitals, PHP20,000 annual outpatient medicine coverage, and unlimited consultations at 173 accredited facilities in the region.
To facilitate access to the primary care packages, registration will be made more convenient through the eGov PH app.
