SURIGAO CITY — At dawn on May 10, the streets of Surigao City filled with a different kind of energy. Over 1,300 runners, far exceeding the target of 1,200 gathered at the Surigao City Boulevard for PhilHealth's Yakap Gamot Fun Run. Dressed in running gear and carrying the collective hope of a community, they weren't just racing for fitness. They were racing for healthcare.
A Unified Push for Accessible Care
The event, which featured 6K and 12K categories, was designed to raise awareness of PhilHealth's YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) and GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) programs. The name "Yakap Gamot" itself is a portmanteau, a fusion of the two program names, symbolizing the embrace of accessible healthcare through these complementary initiatives.
Beyond the Finish Line
PhilHealth Caraga Regional Vice President Michael Jibson C. Hernandez emphasized that the advocacy doesn't end with the run: "We promote a healthy lifestyle, we encourage every Filipino to exercise to avoid hypertension and diabetes, which are the top illnesses among Filipinos."
Building a Healthier Community
The event was more than a race it was a celebration of the Surigaonon spirit and a visible shift from hospital-centric care to preventive care. As PhilHealth LHIO Surigao Head Sheila M. Lisondra put it, "By participating in this fun run, our members are not just running for their own fitness; they are running toward a future where no Filipino is left behind when it comes to medical needs." In Surigao City, healthcare is no longer just a government service, it's a community movement.
