In celebration of Labor Day on May 1, 2026, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Office V and the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur joined the nationwide simultaneous launch of the Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) and Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) Programs, registering over 600 residents and workers in Pili.
Centered on the theme, “YAKAP para sa Manggagawa, YAKAP sa Pamilyang Pilipino,” the initiative aims to enhance public understanding of PhilHealth benefits while bringing primary care services and essential medicines directly to Filipino workers and their families. This effort supports PhilHealth’s mission to improve healthcare access by streamlining empanelment, coordinating care, and expanding outpatient drug benefits to ensure members receive both preventive care and continuous treatment support.
The launch featured YAKAP on-site empanelment, consultations, and registration, alongside GAMOT information and assistance desks designed to provide immediate guidance to members.
“Isa po itong malaking tulong dahil katulad sa ibang bansa na mayroong mga Health Maintenance Organization, dito po sa atin ay marami ang wala nito dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo at dahil na rin sa kamahalan ng HMO coverage. Kaya naman ang PhilHealth ay nag-isip ng paraan para mapangalagaan ang inyong kalusugan—at ito ay sa pamamagitan ng programang YAKAP. Malaking tulong ito dahil kapag nagkasakit o bago pa man lumala ang nararamdaman ng isang empleyado, maaari na kayong agad pumunta sa ating YAKAP clinic upang mabigyan ng pangunahing lunas,” explained Dr. Ronald Santelices, Chief of the Field Operations Division of PhilHealth Regional Office V.
Dr. Santelices also clarified that YAKAP is a long-term commitment rather than a one-time medical mission. Once assigned to a clinic, members enter a mutual care agreement with the facility and its physicians to ensure dedicated healthcare coverage throughout the year.
The YAKAP program emphasizes proactive health maintenance by providing members and their dependents access to a comprehensive primary care package. This package includes free medical consultations and check-ups, essential medicines covering common and chronic illnesses, basic laboratory services, and cancer screening services for early detection.
Meanwhile, the GAMOT program focuses on making maintenance and treatment drugs for common illnesses more accessible through accredited pharmacies. Beneficiaries can access up to 54 essential medicines with an annual benefit limit of ₱20,000 per member and their qualified dependents an allocation that resets at the start of every calendar year.
“Very much happy ako. Maogma [asin] naa-appreciate ko ining programa kang PhilHealth. Dakulang tabang ini samo na arog ko na mayo naman trabaho. Dakulang bagay na makalibre ning serbisyo siring kaini. Salamat na maray,” shared 70-year-old Rodolfo Mancita from Pawili, Pili, one of the successful registrants of YAKAP.
Due to poor eyesight, Mancita availed himself of the free eye check-up and eyeglasses provided by the Dental Clinic on Wheels of the Provincial Government.
“Naoogma akong maray sa aldaw na ini ta yaon na ang gabos. Dai na ako mamomroblema sa pambulong asin kan iba pang kaipuhan ko na ikakarahay kan sakuyang salud. Nakalibre na gabos. Sa tabang kan gobyerno na nag-initiate kung anong dapat nindang maitabang sa kapobrehan, dakulang maray na bagay ini,” he added.
As of this writing, PhilHealth Region V has 194 YAKAP-Accredited Clinics, with 56 located in Camarines Sur across the municipalities of Pili, Bula, Bato, Ocampo, Libmanan, Sipocot, Ragay, San Jose, Tinambac, and Caramoan. There are also 72 GAMOT-Accredited Facilities, with 29 in Camarines Sur, located specifically in Pili and standalone pharmacies in Bato, Iriga, and San Fernando.
Through the partnership with PhilHealth, CamSur strengthens its commitment to providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare, ensuring that constituents can maximize their benefits and access essential services closer to home.
