The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation – Davao Region (PhilHealth-11) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Davao (DILG-11) signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday aimed at accelerating the realization of Universal Health Care (UHC) across the Davao Region.

PhilHealth-11 Regional Vice President Harvey Carcedo said the partnership would allow Filipinos to easily access their healthcare needs.

“There are still families who postponed consultations because they are worried about the cost. There are still communities waiting for services to reach them – that is why this partnership is vital,” he said.

The collaboration acknowledges that UHC is most effective when services reach people directly in their barangays, where they seek primary medical help.

Through combined effort, both agencies intend to ensure every resident in the Davao Region is informed, enrolled, connected and protected under the state health insurance program.

“We are bringing government closer to the people – closer to the barangay captains who serve as the first point of contact to the communities,” Carcedo said.

The partnership focuses on five key pillars: advocacy, enrollment on YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), empowerment (developing health advocates and knowledge officers), primary care access and data collection.

DILG-11 Regional Director Abdullah Matalam said the collaboration would reach various communities.

“We carry different mandates, but our purpose remains the same – to make government help where it matters most in the daily lives of ordinary Filipinos,” he said.

As government frontline institutions, DILG and LGUs serve as the vital link connecting communities to essential health services, he added. (PNA)