News Details

Marcos Advances Healthcare Access in Cagayan, Leads YAKAP Medical Caravan

NPO

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September 28, 2025

CAGAYAN, PHILIPPINES – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Cagayan on Saturday to inspect the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy at Alfonso Ponce Enrile Memorial District Hospital (APEMDH) and lead the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) medical caravan.

At APEMDH in Gonzaga, Marcos was welcomed by Governor Edgar Aglipay, Mayor Rellie Dalmaceda, and hospital chief Dr. Rowena Sion. He met with healthcare workers, visited patients, and monitored the hospital’s execution of the ZBB program.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the ZBB initiative ensures that eligible patients in government hospital wards incur no out-of-pocket expenses during confinement. Marcos also announced plans to expand the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program and establish specialty wards for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and dialysis, further decentralizing access to critical healthcare services.

APEMDH, a Level 1 district hospital with a 25-bed capacity, serves municipalities including Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita, and parts of Buguey. The facility attends to around 210 patients daily, supported by 95 medical and non-medical staff.

YAKAP Medical Caravan
The President then proceeded to Sta. Ana Fishery National High School to lead the YAKAP medical mission, in partnership with PhilHealth. Approximately 500 students, teachers, and parents received medical and dental care, psychological first aid, and free medicines. Emergency kits were distributed to 100 learners, and food packs were given to 100 school personnel.

YAKAP, an expanded version of PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama program, now covers essential medicines, laboratory procedures, and cancer screenings. It currently operates in 3,582 facilities nationwide, reaching 91 percent of cities and municipalities.

Situation Briefing on Calamities
Prior to the caravan, Marcos presided over a briefing on recent calamities in Cagayan, joined by Cabinet members and local officials. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported PHP655.6 million in damages to agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and infrastructure, with 41,001 houses affected—2,616 destroyed and 38,385 partially damaged.