About 300 residents of Barangay Tambobong benefited from the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) 11 (Davao Region), in partnership with the Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Party-list, bringing essential healthcare services closer to remote communities.

In a statement on Friday, Tambobong Councilor Marylyn Bayok expressed gratitude for the initiative, which was rolled out in their barangay the previous day.

“We’re thankful that even though our barangay is far, the services of PhilHealth, brought by the PPP Party-list, still reached us,” she said.

Jonalyn Sikuntula, a resident and mother of a three-month-old baby, said the program has made healthcare more accessible.

“Before, we relied on home remedies. Now, we can go to YAKAP-accredited centers,” she shared in a radio interview.

As of this year, PhilHealth-11 has accredited 668 health facilities, onboarded 159 YAKAP clinics, and enlisted 487 YAKAP physicians.

PhilHealth-11 administrative aide VI Sheila May Bernades explained that the program promotes preventive healthcare.

“The primary purpose of the YAKAP program is to avoid waiting until we get sick. People can now have regular check-ups. Prevention is always better than cure,” Bernades said.

She added that the YAKAP continues to expand, ensuring that quality healthcare becomes accessible to every Filipino, regardless of location.

Meanwhile, PPP Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte emphasized that their mission goes beyond representing a single sector.

“We represent the fisherfolk, but that doesn’t mean our help is only for them. Everyone is included – no exceptions. If people find it hard to go to the city, we bring the services right to their doorstep,” he said. (PNA)