President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over a situation briefing on recent calamities at Sta. Ana Fishery National High School in Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Saturday (Sept. 27, 2025). Marcos later led the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program healthcare caravan at the school, providing medical services to learners and staff. (Photo courtesy of PCO)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited patients at the Aparri Provincial Extension Medical and District Hospital (APEMDH) to see firsthand the implementation of the zero-balance billing (ZBB) program, which eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for eligible patients in government hospital wards.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said the initiative is fully backed by the provincial government, ensuring equitable access to essential healthcare.
Marcos also announced plans to broaden the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program and to establish specialty wards for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and dialysis care in provincial hospitals. The move aims to decentralize critical medical services, bringing treatment closer to local communities.
APEMDH, a Level 1 district hospital with 25 beds, serves as a crucial healthcare hub for Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita, and parts of Buguey. It caters to an average of 210 patients daily, with 95 medical and support staff.
YAKAP caravan at Sta. Ana
The President also led a YAKAP medical mission at Sta. Ana Fishery National High School. The program, an expanded version of PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama, now includes more medicines, essential drugs, laboratory procedures, and cancer screening.
About 500 teachers, students, and parents availed themselves of medical and dental services, psychological first aid, and free medicines. Emergency kits were distributed to 100 learners, while 100 teachers and school staff received food packs.
Currently, YAKAP operates in 3,582 facilities nationwide, covering 91 percent of Philippine cities and municipalities. Sta. Ana Fishery National High School, with 2,044 students, served as the host site.
Situation briefing on calamity damage
Prior to the caravan, Marcos presided over a situation briefing on recent calamities in Cagayan with key Cabinet officials and local leaders.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported PHP655.6 million in damage to agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and infrastructure. A total of 41,001 houses were affected—2,616 destroyed and 38,385 partially damaged.