Manila, Sept. 17 -- Over 4,000 private employees can now access free consultations, medicines, and laboratory tests through PhilHealth's Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) after it was launched simultaneously in the cities of Legazpi, Naga, and Sorsogon on Tuesday.

In an interview, DOLE Bicol Regional Director Imelda Gatinao said the program aims to strengthen preventive and outpatient healthcare services for workers in Bicol.

"The YAKAP program is designed for outpatient and preventive healthcare. Workers no longer need to wait until they are sick to benefit from PhilHealth. Even ordinary employees, not just those who can afford it, can now easily consult and avail themselves of these services," she said.

Gatinao added that the progra...