PhilHealth

PhilHealth Brings GAMOT Program to Zamboanga City, Expanding Access to Free Medicines for Members05-28-2026

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) officially launched the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) Program in Zamboanga City on May 28, 2026, strengthening access to free medicines and outpatient care for PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents.

The launch activities were conducted in two separate venues, beginning in the morning at the Zamboanga City Health Office and culminating in the afternoon at Cecile’s Pharmacy – Sta. Maria Branch. The initiative marks another important step in PhilHealth’s commitment to making healthcare services more accessible and affordable for every Filipino family.

Through the GAMOT Program, qualified beneficiaries may now receive up to Php 20,000 worth of free medicines annually. The benefit covers a wide range of essential medications intended for both maintenance and acute conditions, helping reduce the financial burden faced by many patients requiring continuous treatment.

The program is implemented under the PhilHealth Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), a healthcare initiative designed to promote preventive care and sustained wellness by ensuring easier access to consultations, prescriptions, and essential medicines.

According to Nadzmier A. Sajili, Chief of the Local Health Insurance Office – Zamboanga City, the implementation of the GAMOT Program in Zamboanga City highlights PhilHealth’s continuing commitment to making healthcare services and essential medicines more accessible to communities.

“With PhilHealth GAMOT, every Zamboangueño can now sleep a little bit better knowing that they have guaranteed access to essential medications. Indigents now no longer have to choose between spending what little they earned during the day whether on food for their family or for their maintenance medicine.”

Under the program, members may access a total of 75 covered medicines. Twenty-one (21) of these medicines are available directly from accredited YAKAP clinics, while fifty-four (54) maintenance and acute medications may be obtained through accredited partner pharmacies, including participating private pharmacies in the city.

Currently, Zamboanga City has 62 accredited GAMOT facilities, reinforcing the local healthcare system and providing beneficiaries with broader and more convenient access to essential medicines and health services throughout the city.

To avail of the benefit, members are encouraged to register with their preferred YAKAP clinic. After consultation, the accredited YAKAP physician will provide the appropriate prescription, which can then be presented at accredited pharmacies for dispensing of medicines covered by the program.

The GAMOT Program also uses a digital platform to improve efficiency and simplify the delivery of services. Accredited physicians generate electronic prescriptions through the GAMOT Web Application, allowing partner pharmacies to instantly access prescription records for faster and more convenient transactions. Member verification is supported through the PhilHealth Check Utility (PCU), which utilizes biometric and facial recognition technology to ensure secure and accurate identification.

PhilHealth also emphasized that the continued rollout of the GAMOT Program is made possible through strengthened partnerships with government healthcare facilities, local government units, and private pharmacies across Region IX. These collaborations aim to ensure a steady and reliable supply of medicines for patients managing chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as other common medical conditions.

Residents of Zamboanga City may register with their chosen YAKAP facility through the e-Gov PH Super App, the PhilHealth Member Portal, or by visiting the nearest PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) for assistance.###

About PhilHealth

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is the government agency mandated to administer the National Health Insurance Program. Through Universal Health Care, PhilHealth continues to expand healthcare access for all Filipinos by providing quality, affordable, and accessible health services through innovative programs such as YAKAP and GAMOT.

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