PhilHealth: 26.75M Filipinos registered under YAKAP primary care program
By Jel Santos
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said 26.75 million Filipinos have been registered under its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) in time for this year’s National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) Month observance.
As of January 2026, the state insurer said it recorded 26.75 million members registered with accredited primary care providers under the program.
Through YAKAP, the agency said members are given access to consultations, selected laboratory services, and essential medicines provided by accredited primary care facilities.
Such initiative seeks to promote continuous health monitoring, early detection of illnesses, and preventive care to help reduce avoidable hospitalizations.
In 2025, PhilHealth said it logged 40.01 million YAKAP Clinic selections, while 21.72 million clinic selections were recorded in 2026, reflecting what the agency described as growing member engagement.
PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado said that during NHIP Month, the agency is strengthening primary care to ensure that every Filipino family has immediate access to timely, quality, and comprehensive health services through PhilHealth YAKAP.
Observed under Presidential Proclamation No. 1400 s. 2007, NHIP Month underscores PhilHealth’s role in promoting social solidarity and financial risk protection while reinforcing primary care services nationwide.
Per PhilHealth, its mandate has expanded under the Universal Health Care Law from financing hospital-based services to acting as a strategic purchaser of health services across the continuum of care.