Photo courtesy of PNA
Healthcare services were brought directly to a Legazpi City school on Monday, allowing more than 300 students and community members to receive consultations and learn about benefits available under PhilHealth’s YAKAP program.
The medical outreach was conducted at the Legazpi City National High School Covered Court in Rawis as part of a nationwide effort to expand access to primary care through schools and community-based activities.
PhilHealth Bicol Regional Vice President Alberto Manduriao said bringing services closer to residents could encourage people to seek medical attention earlier instead of postponing consultations because of concerns about expenses.
Manduriao reported that accredited healthcare providers in Bicol received Php 5.46 billion from PhilHealth for more than 415,000 claims during the first six months of 2026.
Members enrolled with accredited YAKAP providers can access covered primary-care services without paying at the point of service. These include medical consultations and selected diagnostic procedures, as well as medicines for certain conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
The program also provides a pathway to more specialized care. YAKAP physicians may refer patients who require cancer screening to qualified facilities, while those found to have illnesses requiring hospital treatment may be directed to public or private hospitals where applicable PhilHealth benefits can be used.
Legazpi City National High School teacher Bernard Cruz, who sought a consultation during the event, said having medical services available nearby was particularly helpful to people who have limited income or little time to visit healthcare facilities.
Student Russel Jay Astor said the outreach also gave young people an opportunity to become familiar with YAKAP and understand what health services they could access.
The activity was conducted under the “YAKAP na Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Pangkalusugan, Proteksiyong Pangkalahatan” initiative, which seeks to connect PhilHealth members with primary healthcare providers closer to where they live, work or study.
