
28/08/2025
PhilHealth brings primary care closer to Mandauehanons...
Mandaue City, Cebu – PhilHealth Region VII has marked another milestone in its mission to bring primary care services closer to Sugboanons by officially launching the Yaman sa Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex on August 27, 2025.
The program, formerly known as the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (KonSulTa), is the expanded version of PhilHealth’s primary care program. YAKAP, which literally translates to “embrace” in English, is more than a name change. It is a reimagined commitment to
preventive and accessible health services.
PhilHealth Board Member Dr. Thea Arcely R. Gimenez explained, “YAKAP is our health partner and the gateway to more specialized care. So what this means, mga kababayan, is that eventually each Filipinos health is assessed and in this way improve and future illness is detected early and even prevented para malayo tayo sa sakit.”
As one of the progressive urban centers in Cebu, Mandaue City’s proactive stance in delivering health services makes them the ideal city to pioneer this program.
Hundreds of Mandauehanons availed on-site services, such as member registration, updating of Member Data Record (MDR), printing of ID cards, health profiling, and assisted registration to their preferred YAKAP clinic, brought by PhilHealth’s frontline teams.
The Mandaue launch follows YAKAP’s initial roll-out in the National Capital Region in July and its regional debut in Central Visayas earlier this month at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
In her welcome remark, PhilHealth Regional Vice President (RVP) Marjorie Cabrieto emphasized how this enhanced program focused on prevention and early detection. Besides consultations, YAKAP now includes Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for
Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT). It is an extensive outpatient benefit package, wherein 75 prescription medicines will soon be availed in the region once GAMOT-accredited pharmacies are in place, with an annual cap of Php 20,000 per year per member and per
dependent.
Another major enhancement is its expanded screening tests coverage for breast, lung, liver, and colorectal cancer – an essential step in the fight against the country’s leading causes of death.
Nearing the end of the event, a ceremonial signing of the commitment wall was executed by local chief executives and health leaders, namely Lone District of Mandaue Congresswoman
Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco, Cebu Provincial Board Member and Committee on Public Health Chairperson Dr. Stanley Caminero, Chief Protocol for the Office of the Governor James Canoy, on behalf of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, along with Mandaue City Counilors, Hon. Joel Seno, Hon. Eugene Andaya, Hon. Benjamin Basiga, Hon. Jimmy Lumapas, Hon. Carlo Pontico Fortuna, Hon. Cesar Cabahug Jr., Hon. Andreo Icalina, Hon. Raul Cabahug, and Hon. Fritz Villamor, Mandaue City Health Officer Dr. Debra Maria Catulong, PhilHealth Board Member Dr. Thea Arcely Gimenez, Department of Health Central Visayas Center for
Health Development (DOH-CVCHD 7) Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes, Each signature on the wall is a visible reminder of the present government agencies’ commitment to bring quality preventive healthcare closer to Mandauehanons.
City Public Information Office