• NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER
All the nine barangay health centers in this highly urbanized city are now accredited clinics under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) Program.
These include the Alijis Barangay Health Station, Banago Barangay Health Station, Bata Barangay Health Station, Handumanan Barangay Health Station, Pahanocoy Barangay Health Station, Singcang Barangay Health Station, Taculing Barangay Health Station, Villamonte Barangay Health Station, and Senior Citizen Center at the Bacolod City Government Center Annex.
PhilHealth-Bacolod information officer said the certificates of accreditation were turned over in a ceremony held at Sugarland Hotel on Oct. 9.
An engagement forum or Social Health Insurance Academy training followed, where the YAKAP concepts and the role of YAKAP to the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) were discussed among the personnel of the barangay health centers.
Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who attended the ceremonial turnover of the certificates of accreditation, said the development brings essential healthcare services closer to every Bacolodnon.
“Through YAKAP, PhilHealth members can access free consultations, basic laboratory tests, and essential medicines,” Benitez said in a Facebook post.
As provided under PhilHealth Corporate Memo No. 2025-0039, YAKAP integrates primary care services with outpatient laboratory diagnostics and pharmaceutical benefits and refines the model by expanding access points, improving provider incentives, and strengthening care coordination.
The PhilHealth YAKAP offers free primary care services such as routine checkups, laboratory tests, cancer screening and outpatient medications under the PhilHealth GAMOT package.
Available are 75 types of medicines for free at select clinics and pharmacies, with a limit of P20,000 per year. | NLG
