The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 25 to bring quality primary health care closer to Filipino workers through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).

YAKAP, the enhanced and more digitized version of the Konsulta Package, is PhilHealth’s expanded primary care benefit designed to provide workers with easier access to essential health services such as check-ups, laboratory tests, and preventive care. 

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and PhilHealth Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Edwin M. Mercado led the signing of the collaborative agreement, following the official launch of YAKAP in the same venue, spearheaded by President Ferdinand R. Marcos  Jr. Signing as witnesses on behalf of Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go and DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez were Assistant Secretaries Kristine Joy Diaz-Teston and Amuerfina R. Reyes, respectively.

Based on the MOA, the DOLE and PhilHealth will collaborate to expand workers’ access to outpatient healthcare services, raise awareness about the YAKAP program among employers and employees through information campaigns nationwide, and improve understanding of health benefit entitlements. 

The partnership is also expected to empower more workers to actively use their PhilHealth benefits and take control of their health.

“Pinalalapit natin ang healthcare system natin sa taong-bayan para naman, unang-una, sila ay magpapatingin kaagad kapag sila ay may nararamdaman… Tinutulungan natin sila sa pagpamura ng gamot para bayaran na ng insurance, ng PhilHealth – at saka ‘yung mga ibang tests at mga serbisyo,” President Marcos said.

“Lahat po ‘yan ay sa aming layunin na talagang pagandahin ang healthcare system natin dito sa Pilipinas. At sa palagay ko, dito sa pagpatuloy ng YAKAP na programa ay mararamdaman ng taumbayan na ang pamahalaan ay nandito at ginagawa ang lahat, at ginagamit lahat ng kakayahan ng buong pamahalaan upang tulungan kayo, lalong-lalo na kapag kayo ay may sakit,” he added.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, likewise, assured that DOLE will continue working with PhilHealth to reach more workers in areas with limited health services access,  and encourage employers and the media to actively raise awareness about the program’s benefits.

“Nagtutulungan ang PhilHealth at ang DOLE upang ang ating mga manggagawa ay magkaroon ng access sa mga serbisyo, lalo sa mga may kinalaman sa kalusugan,” he added.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth Acting President Mercado urged the public to register for YAKAP. He said PhilHealth members can use the PhilHealth link in the eGovPH app to register and avail of their YAKAP benefits from partner health service providers. “Dahil ang  habol po namin lahat ng Pilipino ay ma-register at matingnan sa YAKAP.”

The ceremony was also attended by DOLE-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns Officer-in-Charge Leilani M. Reynoso, and other officials and personnel of DOLE and PhilHealth.