Aiming to improve learner health and expand access to basic healthcare services, particularly in underserved and remote communities, the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), has expanded the government’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) caravan to deliver free medical checkups and essential medicines directly to students nationwide.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 18, DepEd said the government is strengthening its nationwide school health strategy through the expansion of the YAKAP at Kalinga Caravan, with a clear focus on improving the health and well-being of Filipino students.

Spearheaded by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and led by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, the initiative brings essential medical services directly into public schools—ensuring that learners, particularly those in underserved communities, receive timely and accessible healthcare.

The latest caravan, held at Marcelo B. Fernan-Polambato Elementary School in Bogo City, Cebu, served around 200 beneficiaries, the majority of whom were students.

DepEd said students received free medical consultations, laboratory tests, reading glasses, and essential medicines—interventions aimed at addressing common health issues that can affect classroom performance and attendance.

The YAKAP at Kalinga Caravan, DepEd explained, is designed to remove health-related barriers to learning.

By embedding preventive care within schools, the program enables early detection of vision problems, nutritional deficiencies, and other conditions that may hinder students’ academic development, DepEd added.

The initiative is a joint effort between DepEd and PhilHealth, linking schools with local healthcare providers to create a more responsive and sustainable support system for learners’ health needs.

Angara emphasized that prioritizing student wellness is central to the agency’s reform agenda, noting that healthy learners are more likely to succeed academically and remain engaged in their studies.

“This project reflects the marching orders of President Marcos to ensure that no Filipino learner is left behind, even in the face of the most challenging health and environmental calamities,” Angara said.

Beyond medical services, the program also supports the creation of safer learning environments.

During the visit, the President inspected newly built disaster-resilient Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS), which are designed to protect students and ensure uninterrupted education during emergencies, such as the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu in September 2025.

DepEd noted that by delivering healthcare directly on campus, the YAKAP caravan significantly reduces out-of-pocket expenses for families, making it easier for students to receive necessary treatment without financial strain.

The initiative has already reached several schools across the country, including Minuyan Elementary School in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and San Francisco High School in Quezon City—benefiting thousands of learners, especially those in remote and high-risk areas.

The program is set to expand further, with the next caravan scheduled in Bataan, where students of Mariveles National High School–Cabcaben Annex Alasasin will receive similar health services.

As it continues to roll out the YAKAP at Kalinga Caravan nationwide, DepEd reaffirmed its commitment to placing students at the center of its policies—recognizing that accessible healthcare is essential to improving learning outcomes and ensuring that every Filipino child has the opportunity to succeed.