CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Aligned with the priorities outlined in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) launched the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) – a major step forward in strengthening preventive healthcare and enhancing benefit packages for Filipinos.
During his fourth SONA, the President highlighted the enhancement and expansion of Philhealth benefits, especially for illnesses that are prevalent in the country.
“Lahat po tayo ay miyembro ng PhilHealth. Pinataas at pinaganda na natin ang mga benepisyo, lalo na para sa mga karamdaman na laganap dito sa ating bansa,” he said.
Formerly known as PhilHealth Konsulta, YAKAP retains coverages for consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines but is now expanded to include cancer screening for lung, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. It also significantly increased the number of covered medicines from 21 to 75 essential medicines.
PhilHealth Region 3 Benefit Administration Section B Head Dr. Julieta V. Diaz shared that the state insurance company also introduced new benefit packages including optometry care for children aged 0-15 years including eye exam, prescription glasses, and follow-up; outpatient mental health, emergency outpatient care for less than 24-hour admissions; and preventive oral health and emergency tooth extraction.
“Pati po ang sari saring serbisyong outpatient kasama rin sa PhilHealth. Kapag may kailangan kayong dalhin sa emergency, huwag po kayong mag-atubiling itakbo sa ospital covered na rin po iyan ng PhilHealth,” he mentioned.
PhilHealth also implemented a 50 percent increase in rates for over 9,000 benefit packages starting this year, including dengue fever from P10,000 to P19,500; severe dengue from P16,000 to P47,000; caesarean section from P19,000 to P37,050; hemodialysis from P2,600 to P6,350 per session or 156 sessions per year; and Z-benefits such as breast cancer from P100,000 to P1.4 million and kidney transplant from P600,000 to P2.1 million.
Alongside this, PhilHealth Region 3 intensified its efforts to inform the public that they can now register and access YAKAP services through the eGov PH App for more convenient access to their healthcare needs.
“With eGov PH App, members can now access their records, PhilHealth ID, and see their assigned YAKAP clinic,” Philhealth Public Affairs Unit Head Monifer S. Bansil explained.
From January to June 2025, Philhealth has disbursed ?20.7 billion in benefits across Central Luzon, including expanded outpatient and preventive services under YAKAP.
The region now has 12.56 million registered members and dependents, representing 96 percent of the total population.
Philhealth Region 3 assured the public that local health facilities, including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, are being mobilized through partnerships with the Department of Health, local government units, and the education sector to bring YAKAP services to all.
“Universal healthcare means immediate eligibility. Even if a patient is not yet registered when admitted, they can enroll onsite and access benefits,” Diaz said.
She likewise stressed that prevention is at the heart of YAKAP, adding that early detection through screenings and wider medicine coverage aims to reduce admissions and improve overall health outcomes.
“Our number one boss is the members. These enhancements are designed so Filipinos can be healthier and avoid severe illnesses,” Diaz said.
Source: PIA Region 3/Mark Anthony G. Pangan
