The PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) XI convened partners through the 1st Regional Media Forum 2026: YAKAP Para sa Media, strengthening partnership and coordination with the media sector while promoting greater awareness and participation in PhilHealth programs and services.
The forum served as a venue to ensure that media partners undergo YAKAP registration and selection services, while providing them with the latest updates on PhilHealth programs, benefits, policies, and implementation guidelines. As trusted information multipliers, media practitioners play a vital role in helping disseminate accurate and timely information to the public.
The activity also provided a platform for information sharing, feedback gathering, and collaboration to support the effective implementation of PhilHealth programs across the Davao Region.
Updates on PhilHealth YAKAP
PRO XI continues to expand the reach of PhilHealth YAKAP, which aims to connect more Filipinos to primary health care services and benefits. As of May 2026, the Davao Region has recorded:
– 1,299,101 YAKAP-registered beneficiaries
– 210,078 registered beneficiaries with First Patient Encounter (FPE)
– 188 accredited YAKAP Clinics
– 82 accredited GAMOT providers
These figures demonstrate PRO XI’s commitment to bringing health services closer to communities and ensuring that registered beneficiaries are able to access needed care.
Expanding Health Care Coverage and Benefits
PRO XI remains committed to increasing membership coverage in the region, which currently stands at 93.11 %; 52 % of which are direct contributors, while 48 %are indirect contributors.
PhilHealth also puts emphasis on the enhanced and expanded benefit packages, including:
– Expanded Maternity Care Benefit (EMCB)
– Benefit Package for Dengue (June is Dengue Awareness Month)
– Enhanced Kidney Disease and Dialysis Benefit Packages (June is National Kidney Month)
These improvements form part of PhilHealth’s continuing efforts to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and provide more comprehensive financial risk protection for members and their dependents.
Responsive Health Financing During Emergencies
PRO XI also highlighted its swift response following the recent devastating earthquake in Mindanao on June 8, 2026. In partnership with the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and the Philippine Orthopaedic Association (POA), PRO XI mobilized a special initiative that fully covered orthopedic procedures for patients who sustained earthquake-related trauma injuries.
Through this program, eligible patients requiring orthopedic surgery were provided financial coverage, helping ease the burden of medical expenses during recovery.
Sustaining Strong Financial Performance
PRO XI continues to maintain strong financial performance in support of expanded benefits and health care access.
As of May 2026:
– Total Premium Collection: ₱2.712 billion
– Total Claims Payments (January–May 2026): ₱9.87 billion, covering more than 430,000 claims
– YAKAP Claims Payments (as of June 2026): ₱283.14 million
– Average Claims Processing Turnaround Time (May 2026): 12 days
PRO XI also highlights the One-Time Waiver of Interest Program, which provides employers with an opportunity to settle missed premium contributions with reduced or fully waived interest penalties, helping improve compliance while easing financial obligations.
Through the Media Forum 2026, PRO XI seeks to promote transparency and deepen engagement with media partners by providing timely updates, addressing concerns, clarifying issues, and gathering valuable feedback. Together with our media partners, PRO XI continues to advance UHC by ensuring that every Dabawenyo and every Filipino is informed, covered, and able to access quality health.
