PIA-Davao and PhilHealth-Davao Strengthen Collaboration for Health Insurance Information Drive
In a significant move to bolster public health awareness, the Philippine Information Agency-Davao Region (PIA-Davao) and PhilHealth-Davao Region have officially renewed and formalized their partnership under the Yakap program, which stands for Yakapin ang Kalusugan at Alagaan. This initiative is designed to enhance the delivery of health information and insurance services across the Davao Region, ensuring that communities have better access to vital healthcare resources.
Memorandum of Agreement Signed at SM City Davao
The memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed on Monday, February 9, 2026, at SM City Davao, marking a renewed commitment between the two agencies. PIA Regional Director Rene Carbaya and PhilHealth-Davao Regional Vice President Atty. Harvey L. Carcedo led the signing ceremony, emphasizing the importance of this collaboration in reaching out to Dabawenyos.
According to Carbaya, this partnership is a crucial step toward facilitating communities' access to accurate and accessible information on the health insurance services offered by PhilHealth. "This is a milestone toward bringing essential health information to the heart of our community and making sure that no Dabawenyo is left in the dark regarding the benefits they can get," he stated during the event.
Enhancing Public Awareness and Service Delivery
Atty. Harvey L. Carcedo highlighted the critical role of this partnership in informing the public about the benefits available through PhilHealth. He pointed out that many individuals may not be able to avail of these services simply due to a lack of awareness. "Without the information that will be sent to them that mayron na ganitong mga benefits... We cannot do it on our own given the limited resources that we have and the manpower that we have," Carcedo explained.
Carcedo further noted that PIA and PhilHealth have been collaborating in previous years, and this MOA serves to intensify their partnership. The goal is to enhance information dissemination efforts, ensuring that more people are informed about the healthcare assistance available to them.
Addressing Top Information Needs of Filipinos
This renewed initiative is grounded in the findings of the 2024 National Information Needs Survey, which identified health as the top information need among Filipinos. Both agencies aim to leverage their respective media campaigns to simplify public policies related to health insurance and increase family awareness on coverage options.
Carbayas elaborated on the broader objectives of the partnership, stating that it aims to:
- Enable citizens to make informed decisions about their health.
- Reduce financial burdens associated with medical bills.
- Strengthen communities through improved access to healthcare assistance.
By working together, PIA-Davao and PhilHealth-Davao hope to create a more informed and healthier population in the Davao Region, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of its residents.
