CAGAYAN de Oro City — PhilHealth members in Northern Mindanao are being urged to update their membership records and enroll in the YAKAP program now—before they need medical care.
PhilHealth-10 Acting Regional Vice President Henry Almanon said updated records can help members avoid delays and inconvenience when seeking health services, particularly during emergencies.
During a press conference Wednesday, Almanon said many members only visit PhilHealth offices when a family member is already confined in a hospital.
“Kinakailangan po ninyong mag-update ng inyong member data record sapagkat karaniwan nang dahilan ng dagsaan ng tao sa aming opisina. 90 porsyento ng mga tao sa opisina namin, nasa hospital ang kanilang kamag-anak,” Almanon said.
He said some patients even have to go to PhilHealth offices while undergoing treatment just to update their records.
“Meron pa silang dextrose,” he said.
Almanon advised members to update their records whenever there are changes in their personal or family information, including marriage or the birth of a child.
He also encouraged members to enroll in YAKAP (Yaman ang Kalusugan), which can now be accessed through the eGovPH app under the PhilHealth section.
The program allows members to choose a PhilHealth-accredited primary care facility where they can receive initial consultations and preventive health services.
“Hindi lang ito sa may nararamdaman. Lahat po ay kinakailangang ma-assign sa isang primary care clinic,” Almanon said.
PhilHealth-10 Chief of the Health Care Delivery Management Division Dr. Jonathan Ortigoza said primary care facilities can provide regular checkups and preventive services that may help detect illnesses early and prevent them from becoming more serious and costly.
YAKAP is also available to members who already have existing illnesses and need continuing primary care.
Ortigoza said 91 of Northern Mindanao’s 93 municipalities already have YAKAP-accredited facilities, while two municipalities are still addressing concerns involving available health personnel.
How to enroll in YAKAP
Members using the eGovPH app may: (1) Open and log in to the eGovPH app, (2) Select the PhilHealth section, (3) Choose an accredited YAKAP primary care facility and (4) Visit the selected facility for the first patient encounter.
Ortigoza stressed that members should complete their first patient encounter after choosing a facility, noting that many Filipinos do not regularly undergo preventive medical checkups.
He said YAKAP is intended not only for members who are already sick but also for those who want to monitor their health and detect possible illnesses before they become serious.
