THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) placed its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) at the forefront of this year’s National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) Month celebration, underscoring primary care as the foundation of accessible and equitable healthcare for all Filipinos.
“Ngayong Buwan ng Pambansang Segurong Pangkalusugan, pinalalakas natin ang primary care upang masiguro na ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay may agarang access sa napapanahon, dekalidad, at komprehensibong serbisyong pangkalusugan sa pamamagitan ng PhilHealth YAKAP,” said PhilHealth president and CEO (PCEO) Dr. Edwin M. Mercado.
Through YAKAP, members are provided access to consultations, selected laboratory services, and essential medicines delivered by accredited primary care providers. The program encourages families to register with primary care providers to ensure continuous health monitoring, early detection, and preventive care, helping reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve overall health outcomes.
As of January 2026, PhilHealth has recorded a total of 26.75 million Filipinos who have been empaneled under the program. In addition, there were 40.01 million YAKAP Clinic selections recorded in 2025 and 21.72 million YAKAP Clinic selections recorded in 2026, reflecting the growing engagement of members with their chosen primary care providers.
Observed under Presidential Proclamation No. 1400 s. 2007, NHIP Month highlights PhilHealth’s role in promoting social solidarity and financial risk protection while strengthening primary care.
Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s health reforms and the Universal Health Care Law, PhilHealth’s role has evolved from financing hospital-based services to acting as a strategic purchaser of health services across the continuum of care, ensuring that all Filipinos are automatically covered and entitled to essential health services.
As PhilHealth marks its 31st anniversary on February 14 and joins the nationwide observance of NHIP Month with the theme “Ka-YAKAP ang Pilipino sa Kalusugang Segurado,” the agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining primary care gains and expanding access nationwide.
“Ito ang aming mandato: Sa Bagong Pilipinas, mayroon tayong Mabilis, Patas at Mapagkakatiwalaang PhilHealth,” PCEO Mercado concluded.
