President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday visited Cagayan province to check on the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy at a local hospital and lead the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) caravan.

Marcos first stopped at the Alfonso Ponce Enrile Memorial District Hospital (APEMDH) in Gonzaga, where he was welcomed by Governor Edgar Aglipay, Mayor Rellie Dalmaceda and hospital chief Dr. Rowena Sion.

Marcos met with healthcare workers, visited patients in the ward section, and checked how the ZBB program is being carried out.

“The President witnessed firsthand how the zero balance billing initiative is being implemented at the district hospital, which is fully supported by the provincial government. The program ensures that no out-of-pocket expenses are required for eligible patients during confinement in government hospital wards,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a news release.

Marcos also announced plans to expand the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program and establish specialty wards in provincial hospitals for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and dialysis care, further decentralizing access to critical medical services.

APEMDH is a Level 1 district hospital with a 25-bed capacity. It is a vital healthcare hub for the municipalities of Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita and parts of Buguey.

The hospital attends to an average of 210 patients daily and is supported by a dedicated workforce of 95 medical and non-medical personnel.

YAKAP Caravan

Marcos also went to Sta. Ana Fishery National High School to lead the medical mission conducted under YAKAP, a flagship health initiative of the administration in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), providing health services to learners, as well as teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Around 500 teachers, students and parents received medical and dental services, psychological first aid, and free medicines following their checkups.

YAKAP, an expanded version of PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama program, now covers additional medicines, essential drugs, laboratory procedures and cancer screening.

It currently operates in 3,582 facilities nationwide, reaching 91 percent of cities and municipalities.

Marcos likewise oversaw the distribution of emergency kits to 100 learners and food packs to 100 teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Sta. Ana Fishery National High School has a student population of 2,044.

Situation briefing

Ahead of the caravan, Marcos presided over a situation briefing on recent calamities in Cagayan, joined by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, and local officials.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported PHP655.6 million in damage to agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and infrastructure, while 41,001 houses were damaged — 2,616 destroyed and 38,385 partially damaged. (PNA)