DOST-PCHRD, PhilHealth strengthen partnership, showcase expanded research-based health benefits thru PhilHealth STUDIES Conference

From the DOST public archive. Original source publication date: 2025-09-23. Captured 2026-09-04. Read the original DOST source.

This record preserves information as published on the source website. It does not confirm that a historical opportunity, deadline, service requirement, contact, or planned project is current. Check with the responsible DOST office before acting.

Staged text edition: Source images are not included because image recovery was blocked. The captured article text is preserved; illustrations remain pending recovery.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), reaffirmed the commitment to provide healthcare that truly responds to the needs of Filipinos at the PhilHealth STUDIES (Supporting the Thrust for Universal Health Care through Data, Information, and Knowledge-Exchange Systems) Conference recently held at the Marquis Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Now in its 10th year, the PhilHealth STUDIES Conference helps integrate research into the core policy making process of the corporation to align benefit packages with the real and evolving health needs of the Filipino people. The theme: “From Mission to Milestone: A decade of strengthening health financing policy research to advance universal health care”, highlights the combination of looking back on the progress achieved in the past 10 years and looking ahead to what’s next for the upcoming years.

In his keynote message, Dr. Lluis Vinyals Torres, Director of the Division of Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organization, emphasized that the Philippines and the region need more research on health financing and systems. He noted that although robust evidence is available, it is not generating sufficient policy space. He also highlighted the need to broaden the unit of analysis in evaluating social health insurance performance—from focusing solely on beneficiaries to considering all citizens.

Meanwhile, during his welcome remarks, Dr. Edwin Mercado, Acting President and CEO of PhilHealth, highlighted the importance of research in ensuring that policies are tailored to the needs of Filipinos. “We depend on research to draft our policies, especially our health benefit program,” further highlighting the newly expanded Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).

“YAKAP is a shift toward primary care to address the significant gaps in access to health services, and we ensure that our health benefit programs align with the needs of the Filipino people,” he added.

YAKAP is PhilHealth’s expanded primary care benefit package, providing members with up to Php 20,000 worth of benefits each year. These services include:

• Medical consultations;
• Laboratory tests and diagnostics;
• Cancer screening; and
• Essential medicines for chronic illnesses and maintenance.

This program builds on previous packages like Konsulta, evolving based on feedback and evidence gathered from the research and studies from the ground.

“Our findings validated the urgent need to expand benefits. With YAKAP, we’ve seen real joy from ordinary people. Even our neighbors now ask us how to register to utilize their Php 20,000 benefit,” said Rowena Luciano, a PhilHealth researcher who helped study the factors affecting benefit availment.

Studies presented during the conference revealed that despite awareness, many indigent members had trouble accessing services due to lack of medicines, medical personnel, and clear information. These findings led to concrete policy changes now being addressed through YAKAP.

“This is not just for indigents. As soon as YAKAP was launched, even senior citizens rushed to health centers asking how to have access to these free medicines,” added Michael Maglanque, another researcher. “That tells us that this program really answers a real need.”

Also mentioned during the conference was PhilHealth’s outpatient mental health benefit, now available to all its members.

This package specifically covers severe mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—offering help to those affected by natural disasters, violence, or extreme stress. The benefit is designed to provide not just financial support, but also dignity and hope to those who previously had little access to mental health care.

“Through PhilHealth STUDIES program, we developed the outpatient benefit package for mental health. Now available to all PhilHealth members,” said Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the DOST-PCHRD, a key partner in the program.

“Through this program, we see that progress is possible when knowledge is shared, decisions are grounded in evidence, and the vision of Universal Health Care is pursued with consistency and commitment,” Dr. Montoya added.

PhilHealth emphasized that research will continue to be the backbone of its future programs. Dr. Mercado also took emphasis on initiatives now being used to make at least Standard of Care monitoring of medicine through PhilHealth GAMOT (Guaranteed Access Medications throughout Patient Treatment); ensure proper treatment using AI and red-flag systems; track the impact of benefit packages on hospital capacity; and assess the long-term effects of Z Benefit Packages like kidney transplants and open-heart surgery.

“The implementation of initiatives based on data is the intent behind PhilHealth STUDIES. We want to employ the same practice not just in determining which benefit package to develop but also in identifying whether our packages are truly responsive,” said Dr. Mercado.

PhilHealth is urging all members, especially those from underserved sectors, to register and update their information to start availing YAKAP benefits. Outreach efforts are also ongoing through workplace partnerships and local health units.

“Access is different from universal coverage.” Dr. Mercado reminded. “Even if you have universal coverage, if there is no supply of those services in the area, it still will not lead to access. That’s why we’re asking some alignment with the DOH that when we roll out any benefit package, there should also be some supply side component.”

“We’re also talking to private sector to also re-engage because the private sector constitutes a big part of our health system,” he added.

With studies lined up to evaluate the impact of YAKAP and other packages, PhilHealth is determined to maintain its people-first, research-based approach. The agency’s partnership with DOST-PCHRD and alignment with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (2023–2028) will continue to guide its future steps.

“Let us continue this fruitful collaboration towards our achievement of Universal Health Care in the country. Sa patuloy nating pagpapatibay ng pananaliksik, tunay nating nailalapit at naipararamdam sa bawat Pilipino ang serbisyong pangkalusugan hatid ng PhilHealth na mabilis, patas, at mapagkakatiwalaan.” Mr. Mercado concluded.

Launched in 2017, PhilHealth STUDIES supports Universal Health Care (UHC) Law (RA 1123), by enhancing health data utilization, promoting evidence-based policy making, and supporting studies on health insurance coverage, health systems, and financing strategies. The program strengthens partnerships among researchers, policymakers, and health professionals to deliver data-driven, people-centered health services.

This partnership is one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph. (By Abigael S. Omana, DOST-STII)