MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The PhilHealth Regional Office 10 formally launched its Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program during a ceremonial event at D’ Garden Party Venue, Brgy. 1, Malaybalay City, on April 14, 2026, anchored on the theme “Lunas na GAMOT, YAKAP sa Bawat Pilipino.”

Leading the rollout were Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron II, Department of Health Regional Director Sulpicio Henry M. Legaspi Jr., and Bukidnon Local Health Insurance Office chief Romulo M. Lapuz Jr.

Aseron said the GAMOT program is an outpatient drug benefit designed to help members afford essential medicines for both common and chronic illnesses, including infections, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and neurological conditions.

He explained that GAMOT forms part of PhilHealth’s YAKAP Program initiative, which aims to expand access to primary healthcare services. Under YAKAP, members may avail of consultations, selected laboratory services, screening, and medical guidance, while GAMOT ensures continuity of treatment through improved access to medicines.

The program provides an annual benefit limit of ₱20,000 per member, renewable every January 1, and covers 75 essential medicines at fixed prices. Eligible beneficiaries include all PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents enrolled in YAKAP, provided they consult a YAKAP-accredited physician who issues a prescription with a Unique Prescription Security Code (UPSC). Medicines may then be claimed from accredited GAMOT partner pharmacies.

Aseron added that YAKAP clinics are supplied with 21 medicines, while the remaining 54 are available through GAMOT partner outlets. Registration may be done via the PhilHealth Member Portal, eGovPH app, any PhilHealth office, or directly at a chosen YAKAP clinic.

He said, in Bukidnon, there are 48 accredited YAKAP clinics—28 government-run and 20 private facilities—alongside 34 private GAMOT-accredited partners. In Malaybalay City alone, six YAKAP clinics and three partner pharmacies have been identified to serve beneficiaries.

The six identified YAKAP clinics include Bethel Baptist Hospital (BBH), Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center (BPMC), St. Jude Thaddeus General Hospital Inc., BMS YAKAP Clinic, Midway Doctors Clinic, and City Health Office Malaybalay.

Meanwhile, the three identified GAMOT facilities are A & L Pharmacy, located in Brgy. Aglayan; Generika Drugstore in Brgy. 3; and Pillbox Express along the corner of C.M. Recto and Magsaysay Streets.

Support for the initiative was expressed by Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque and Malaybalay City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran.

Governor Roque lauded the program as a significant step toward bringing healthcare closer to the people, emphasizing that access to essential medicines and strengthened primary care not only treat illnesses but also help prevent them. He assured the province’s full support in ensuring that no Bukidnon resident is left behind in terms of health and well-being.

Mayor Pabillaran, for his part, encouraged wider PhilHealth membership, noting the growing enrollment under YAKAP in the city. He affirmed the local government’s continued backing to sustain the program and expand its reach. (melbmadera)

Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque leads by example as the first to register in the YAKAP-GAMOT walkthrough following the PhilHealth GAMOT Program ceremonial launch at D’ Garden Party Venue, Brgy. 1, Malaybalay City, on April 14, 2026—signaling strong local support for expanded access to essential medicines and primary healthcare. (melbmadera)