BALER, Aurora — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the launch of the Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) Caravan in Aurora, a program designed to strengthen physical and mental health services in schools.
The initiative is part of the Clinics for Learners’ Access to School-health Services Plus (CLASS+), a joint effort of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) that links school clinics with the local health system.
Marcos said CLASS+ and YAKAP reflect his administration’s whole-of-nation approach to supporting Filipino families, particularly teachers and students.
During the caravan, more than 200 elementary pupils received free eye check-ups, while about 350 teachers, non-teaching staff, and high school students availed of medical services such as X-rays, ECG, urinalysis, and ultrasound.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara underscored the need to sustain partnerships to expand school health programs. “The health of our school communities is the foundation of quality education. Through CLASS+ and YAKAP, we are ensuring that the DepEd family has the strength and vitality to achieve our collective goals,” he said.
PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado also expressed support for the initiative, saying it strengthens preventive healthcare and improves access to primary health services for both learners and educators.
YAKAP, an enhanced primary care benefit, covers consultations, laboratory tests, cancer screenings, and essential medicines, promoting early detection and preventive health care for all Filipinos.
The caravan will be rolled out to more schools nationwide, aiming to make health support a permanent feature of learning environments and help build a healthier, more resilient generation.
With reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
