Employees urged: register for PhilHealth YAKAP, get free meds
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
October 16, 2025
A representative from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) encouraged faculty and staff of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) to enroll in the “Yaman ng Kalusugan Program” (YAKAP), which now provides up to ₱20,000 annually in essential outpatient medicines through the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) initiative.
The YAKAP program serves as an enhanced version of the Konsulta outpatient benefits scheme, which was first implemented in 2021 to broaden healthcare access for members.
During an orientation held on September 3, 2025, at the University Accreditation Room, PhilHealth Senior Social Insurance Officer Eusebio V. Vidal outlined the features and benefits of the YAKAP program to CatSU employees.
To enroll, employees must have a valid PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN). Those who are not yet registered may access online through the PhilHealth Member Portal or by visiting any nearby PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office.
Once their PhilHealth membership is confirmed, employees may proceed to register under the YAKAP program through several available platforms: the eGovPH App, PhilHealth’s online portal, any PhilHealth office, or directly at a YAKAP-accredited clinic.
Upon successful registration, members may schedule a consultation at their chosen YAKAP clinic. If medication is prescribed during the visit, the attending physician will issue the prescription via the GAMOT App.
Prescribed medicines, worth up to ₱20,000 per year, can then be claimed from any GAMOT-accredited pharmacy by presenting a valid ID and the Unique Prescription Security Code (UPSC).
At present, according to the PhilHealth official, no GAMOT-accredited pharmacies are operating in Catanduanes, as the initial implementation is focused in Metro Manila.
However, PhilHealth has assured CatSU employees that more partner pharmacies will be added soon, in line with the program’s phased national rollout.
Meanwhile, in her closing remarks, CatSU Medical Officer III Dr. Abegail M. Abundo extended her gratitude to her team for organizing the event and acknowledged the support of PhilHealth representatives and staff from Catanduanes Doctors Hospital Inc.
“Taking care of our health is not just a one day activity but a lifetime commitment,” Dr. Abundo expressed.
Following the orientation, employees gathered in the third-floor lobby to access free health services offered through the university’s health caravan.
The wellness activities included complimentary medical consultations, therapeutic massages, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure checks, random blood sugar (RBS) testing, as well as dietary and nutritional counseling.