By Elvira C. Bongosia
The outreach program formed part of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) and PhilHealth’s YAKAP Information and Service Caravan held on October 24.
The event also allowed agencies to engage directly with residents in remote and mountainous barangays.
Moreover, the event highlighted the collaboration among the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Provincial Government of Bohol, and the local government of Pilar.
“Through this caravan, we hope that our IP brothers and sisters can easily access the information and help they need, from social services and livelihood support to education and health programs,” said AUDIO-Bohol president Doris Isabel Racho in her message.
“Together, we aim to empower every member of the Eskaya community, ensuring that you are informed, protected, and included in our nation’s journey toward health, security, and progress,” Racho added.
Access to government services
PhilHealth brought its membership services and health information campaign to the community, ensuring that the Eskaya IPs are aware of their rights and benefits under the National Health Insurance Program.
The agency also promoted its expanded Konsulta package under the Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) program, which covers free outpatient consultations, laboratory tests, medicines, and cancer screening.
During the caravan, about 200 Eskaya IPs also took advantage of other services, including:Philippine Statistics Authority: PhilID registration
Social Security System and Pag-IBIG Fund: Membership and data updating
47th Infantry Battalion: Free haircut services
Department of Agriculture–ATI Central Visayas: Farming guides, IEC materials, free seedlings, and raffle items
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist: Free fruit tree seedlings