Koronadal City, South Cotabato | October 26, 2025 — The PhilHealth YAKAP Program (Yamang Kalusugan para sa Pangkalahatang Proteksyon) was officially launched today at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH), strengthening access to free and preventive healthcare services for PhilHealth members across the province.
The initiative marks another milestone in the province’s health programs, offering free consultations, laboratory tests, cancer screening, and essential medicines under the expanded Konsulta Benefit Package. The YAKAP Program aims to make healthcare more accessible, equitable, and preventive by focusing on early detection and continuous care.
Dr. Marilyn Abantao, Chief of Hospital, said the SCPH is proud to be among the first provincial hospitals in the region to fully implement the YAKAP Program.
“This program represents our commitment to providing preventive and inclusive healthcare to all South Cotabateños. With YAKAP, our patients can receive the medical care they need without worrying about the cost,” Abantao said.
Atty. Renette Bergado, Provincial Administrator, lauded the hospital’s dedication to improving health service delivery and noted that South Cotabato continues to set the standard for public health programs in the region.
“South Cotabato continues to be a model in implementing innovative healthcare programs. Through YAKAP, we ensure that every resident receives quality service — not just the extra mile, but the ‘super extra mile’ of public service,” Bergado said.
Meanwhile, Raffy Elizares, OIC of the Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) in Koronadal, shared that SCPH has already enrolled 25,963 beneficiaries, which is more than its target patient load of 20,000.
“Of these, over 8,000 beneficiaries have already undergone their first patient encounter. Once they complete all the YAKAP benefits — consultation, screening, medicine dispensing, and laboratories — PhilHealth will pay ₱1,700 per beneficiary,” Elizares explained.
The PhilHealth YAKAP Program underscores the government’s mission to deliver comprehensive healthcare to all Filipinos.
Through the strengthened partnership between PhilHealth and the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, the province continues to move closer to achieving Universal Health Care for its people.
