Headline

DepEd health caravan brings free services to over 47,000 education sector beneficiaries

Published

2 hours ago

September 15, 2026

Abi Sarabia M.

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 15, 2026

Photo courtesy: DepEd Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — More than 47,000 teachers, non-teaching personnel, learners, and parents are benefiting from free health services and government assistance under the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” caravan, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The initiative has been rolled out across 91 public schools nationwide as part of a multi-agency effort to bring essential government services closer to school communities.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the program aims to improve access to healthcare for teachers, learners, and their families through partnerships with PhilHealth, the Department of Health, and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Services offered through the caravan include on-site PhilHealth registration, issuance of PhilHealth IDs and Member Data Records, initial medical consultations, preventive health registration, and access to medicines under the GAMOT program.

The program also includes the school-based Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, or YAKAP, as well as the designation of YAKAP primary care clinics.

Angara said improving access to healthcare can help support both the welfare of school personnel and the learning environment of students.

The caravan was scheduled alongside the wellness break in public schools to allow beneficiaries to access health services without disrupting regular classes.

Overall, the program targets around 47,600 beneficiaries, including approximately 22,000 teachers, 18,700 learners, 6,000 parents and guardians, and 900 non-teaching personnel.