YAKAP Seen as Potential Health Lifeline for Boracay Ati Community
By Jun N. Aguirre
Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) Program could become an important healthcare support mechanism for the Ati community in Boracay, particularly in bringing preventive and primary healthcare services closer to Indigenous families.
Bien Paul Obordo, Aklan chief social insurance officer, said YAKAP is PhilHealth’s primary care program designed to help Filipinos maintain good health, detect illnesses at an early stage and receive appropriate treatment before conditions worsen and require hospitalization.
Under the program, PhilHealth members can choose a YAKAP-accredited primary care clinic where they can access consultations and covered primary healthcare services. PhilHealth reported in May 2026 that the program had expanded to 4,287 accredited clinics nationwide, reaching an estimated 33.2 million Filipinos.
PhilHealth has also emphasized that covered consultations, basic laboratory services and other included primary-care services under YAKAP should be provided without charge.
“For the Ati community in Boracay, the program presents an opportunity to strengthen access to regular health consultations, disease prevention, early screening and essential medicines,” Malay Health Officer Dr. Athena Magdamit told Boracay Sun News.
Magdamit said a stronger partnership among PhilHealth, the Municipality of Malay, Department of Health, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), barangay health workers and Ati community leaders could help ensure that the community is properly informed about YAKAP and can access its benefits.
“A community-based information campaign could explain how Ati residents can select a YAKAP clinic, what services are covered and where they can obtain medicines and follow-up care,” Magdamit added.
PhilHealth’s YAKAP Program was launched in Barangay Caticlan on August 27, 2026. YAKAP-accredited clinics in Malay are the Tabon and Caticlan Primary Care Facilities and Malay Municipal Hospital. On Boracay, Magdamit said the accreditation of Ciriaco Tirol Hospital is being processed.
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