PUBLIC schools across the country are transforming into primary healthcare access points following a landmark multi-agency partnership signed on Tuesday.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the Department of Education (DepEd) in joining forces with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and PhilHealth to introduce the YAKAP School Health and Protection Program (YAKAP-SHP).
Under a newly signed Joint Memorandum Circular, public schools will act as organized community hubs for PhilHealth’s YAKAP primary care services.
The initiative extends health screening, registration, and care navigation to students, teachers, non-teaching personnel, qualified dependents, out-of-school youth, and learners with disabilities.
Standard medical assessments will span vision, hearing, dental, nutrition, and psychosocial domains.
Secretary Angara emphasized that the program advances key priorities championed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Joining the ceremonial signing at DepEd headquarters were DOH Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, and PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Beverly Ho.
“Napakalaking bagay nito para sa atin, sa ating mga teachers, sa ating mga learners, at sa kanilang mga pamilya,” Angara noted, pointing out the overwhelming public turnout during previous YAKAP Caravans.
The initiative aligns with the Inclusive Education Act by integrating developmental screening and specialized referral pathways directly into campus health routines.
To operationalize the rollout, Angara also signed a bilateral Memorandum of Agreement and a Data Sharing Agreement with PhilHealth, enabling schools to host mobile caravans, establish accredited clinics, and ensure strict data privacy protections.
Beneficiaries will register, select a preferred YAKAP Clinic, and complete their First Patient Encounter and empanelment.
Dedicated care navigators will guide families through referrals and continuous treatment. Following the launch, DepEd officials inspected Ligas I Elementary School in Bacoor, Cavite, to review preliminary clinic preparations.