SSS Diliman branch now has Philhealth YAKAP clinic

The Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with the Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) to launch the first Philhealth Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) free primary care service booth inside an SSS branch.

During the memorandum signing at the SSS Diliman branch on Thursday, SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro said the new branch can serve 2,500 to 3,000 individuals who visit the branch for transactions.

“Ito ay tugon sa panawagan ng ating mahal na Pangulo to bring services close to the people,” he said.

(This is our response to the call of our President to bring services close to the people.)

“Ang partnership natin dito sa SSS ay dahil sa kagustuhan ng SSS President and CEO na mailapit ang mga services ng gobyerno para sa kanilang mga members and pensioners… Ang pinakamaganda rito ay ipapasok natin ang YAKAP program through an accredited private partner na accredited sa PhilHealth,” said PPPI President and CEO Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim Lokin.

(The partnership here with SSS is because of the SSS President and CEO’s desire to bring government services to their members and pensioners… The best thing here is that we will bring the YAKAP Program through an accredited private partner that is accredited with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.)

“Ibig sabihin noon, dahil accredited na sila ng PhilHealth, makikipag-MOA tayo sa kanila para maibigay ng libre ang YAKAP services sa mga SSS members and pensioners at yung mga walk-in,” he added.

(This means, because they are accredited with PhilHealth, we will have a memorandum of agreement with them so we can provide YAKAP services to SSS members and walk-ins for free.)

Under the partnership, a branch of the Pambansang Botika will offer 38 different procedures and 75 essential medicines at the SSS Diliman branch from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

Similar to other YAKAP centers, beneficiaries may proceed to the center to avail their P20,000 annual coverage under the program.

The SSS, PhilHealth and PPPI said they are looking into opening more clinics in other SSS branches nationwide.

“We are looking forward to having a similar setup with PPPI and PhilHealth, kasi madami talaga itong matutulungan ang ating mga kababayan. All branches where space is available, we would make sure. Ang next may be in Makati. But interested, alam nyo naman ang SSS is para sa buong Pilipinas. Cebu office namin and also probably in Davao or in Cagayan de Oro… Doon muna tayo sa big city,” De Claro said.

(We are looking forward to having a similar setup with PPPI and PhilHealth, because it can really help a lot of our countrymen. All branches where space is available, we would make sure. The next may be in Makati. But interested, since you do know that SSS is for the entire Philippines. Maybe the Cebu office and also probably in Davao or in Cagayan de Oro… Let’s start with the big city.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News