Nearly 4,000 Ilonggos avail of free healthcare services through YAKAP Program in Iloilo City
“Sang una mangita pa’ko kon diin ko manghulam, subong ya, libre na ang bulong.”
This was the heartfelt statement of Jocelyn Facto of Molo District, a beneficiary of the PhilHealth YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), as she expressed her gratitude to the Iloilo City Government through Mayor Raisa Treñas.
Facto is among the nearly 4,000 Ilonggos who have benefited from the program in 2025, implemented by the city government through the City Health Office (CHO) and the city’s accredited District Health Centers.
The YAKAP program is PhilHealth’s enhanced and expanded primary care benefit package, replacing and improving the previous Konsulta program. It aims to provide accessible and comprehensive outpatient healthcare services for all PhilHealth members and their dependents.
Data from the CHO showed that as of 2025, a total of 15,569 beneficiaries and dependents have been registered under the program, with 3,990 recording their first patient encounter or actual availment of services.
Under the program, beneficiaries are entitled to free consultations, essential laboratory examinations, and outpatient medicines, including maintenance drugs worth up to ₱20,000 annually through the Guaranteed Access to Medicines (GAMOT) benefit.
Complementing YAKAP is the city’s free medicine program available in pharmacies located in the nine district health centers, where patients may also avail themselves of essential medicines at no cost.
Mayor Treñas also shared another piece of good news regarding the upcoming opening of the city’s own Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Center later this year.
“This is part of our commitment to bring faster and more accurate diagnostic services closer sa aton mga pumuluyong Ilonggo — especially when it comes to early detection and preventive care. Paagi sa pagpabaskog sang aton health systems, masiguro naton nga ang aton health services magapabilin nga accessible kag dekalidad para sa tanan,” the city mayor said.
The implementation of YAKAP in Iloilo City is anchored on the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act or Republic Act No. 11223, which seeks to guarantee equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services for all Filipinos.
CHO Asst Dept Head Dr. Jennifer Castro said this initiative helps reduce the financial burden of healthcare, especially among vulnerable and underserved sectors, while encouraging early detection and continuous management of diseases.
It is implemented through the collaboration of PhilHealth, the Department of Health (DOH), the Iloilo City Government, Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), and PhilHealth-accredited healthcare providers.
To further improve service delivery, the city government continues to upgrade and license healthcare facilities while strengthening referral systems through partnerships with higher-level healthcare institutions, including a memorandum of agreement with WVMC for specialized care and referrals. (Iloilo City PIO)
