For many Filipinos, a visit to the doctor often means setting aside money for consultation fees and medicines.
For Albert Clemente, a government employee at Catanduanes State University, that burden was eased by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), which provides members with access to primary healthcare services and medicine benefits.
“I am happy to be a recipient of YAKAP because it is very convenient. You no longer have to pay for consultations, since they are free,” Clemente said in a recorded interview provided by the PhilHealth-5 (Bicol) on Monday.
Like many beneficiaries, Clemente enrolled in the program through the PhilHealth website and selected Catanduanes Doctors Hospital Inc. (CDHI) as his healthcare provider.
In April 2025, he visited the facility, completed the required validation process, and then proceeded to his medical consultation.
After his consultation, Clemente went through the final validation step and left the facility without paying any consultation fee.
For Clemente, the biggest benefit of the program was being able to consult a doctor without paying a fee. What would normally require additional spending became easier for him to access through a simple process.
Through these facilities, PhilHealth has expanded access to consultations, laboratory services, and medication benefits, bringing primary healthcare services closer to communities nationwide.
In addition to free consultations, the program allows beneficiaries to obtain prescribed medications through accredited providers. Qualified members may receive up to PHP20,000 in medication benefits annually, helping reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and support continuity of treatment.
Clemente sees the program’s value primarily in the savings it provides, particularly for individuals and families who struggle to allocate funds for healthcare expenses. Beneficiaries can access free consultations and medication benefits through the program, allowing them to seek medical care without immediate costs.
“The PhilHealth YAKAP program is very convenient, especially for marginalized sectors, because consultations are free, medicines are free, and PhilHealth allocates PHP20,000 per year for medicines,” he said.
Leri Ilagan, PhilHealth-5 spokesperson, said the agency has registered over 1. 41 million members and dependents for the YAKAP package.
Among the provinces in the region, Camarines Sur recorded the highest number of registrants, with 396,452 members and 74,053 dependents; followed by Sorsogon (245,785 members and 90,412 dependents); Albay (190,475 members and 61,096 dependents); and Camarines Norte (135,348 members and 59,295 dependents).
The island province of Masbate has 93,695 members and 27,728 dependents, while Catanduanes has 26,048 members and 12,513 dependents.
Ilagan said that according to their data, more than 6.3 million Bicolanos are PhilHealth members.
YAKAP caravans are also being held in various local government units across the region to encourage more members to sign up. (PNA)
