President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered an expansion of the country’s primary healthcare coverage for workers, as government agencies launched the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) in Laguna and Ilocos.

“Primary healthcare at gamot, abot-kamay ng mga manggagawang Pilipino. Ito ang direktiba ng Pangulo,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Castro said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) launched YAKAP at the Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing, Inc. in Calamba City, Laguna, on Tuesday, September 16.

Castro said under PhilHealth’s YAKAP, members will receive free essential medicines and primary healthcare, including medical check-ups, cancer screenings, and laboratory tests.

The program aims to promote prevention and early detection of diseases, thus helping to alleviate financial burdens for members, according to PhilHealth.

“Hindi na hadlang ang busy schedule sa pag-aalaga ng kalusugan. Inilapit na ng PhilHealth sa mga opisina, eskuwela at komunidad ang health services para sa mga mamamayan,” Castro said.

“Walang maiiwan, lahat maaalagaan, lahat ng Pilipino ay puwedeng maging miyembro ng YAKAP.”

Castro urged the public to register for free with PhilHealth’s YAKAP using the eGov app, PhilHealth member portal, or by visiting the local offices of PhilHealth and YAKAP clinics.

Meanwhile, DOLE said it partnered with PhilHealth for a regional launch of YAKAP in the Ilocos region on September 16 to ensure that workers are properly enrolled and can access medical benefits.

A total of 1,300 workers in the region were able to register with YAKAP and received check-ups.

By working hand in hand, DOLE and PhilHealth strengthened the social safety net for Filipino workers, reaffirming the commitment of President Marcos to inclusive and responsive government service under the Bagong Pilipinas vision. | PND