EMBRACING HEALTH AND WELLBEING
AS TRUE TREASURES WITH YAKAP

Healthcare is a basic human right, yet millions of people around the world lack access to it. In the Philippines, poverty is a major barrier to receiving proper medical attention. 
But the Sta. Catalina Credit Cooperative (SCCC) and Sta. Catalina Multipurpose Cooperative (SCMPC) in the Province of Cotabato took a step towards addressing this issue by providing an affordable HMO program for its co-op members called YAKAP. 
YAKAP, which stands for “Yaman ang Kalusugan Program,” is a program that aims to provide quality healthcare to co-operative members and their families. 
The said HMO program covers hospitalization, outpatient services, and preventive care, among others. It is designed to be affordable, with members paying around Php2,950 as an annual premium for the basic plan. 
“We started YAKAP in 2019, so it has been 4 years already, and we could say that we have a lot of members who have availed of and appreciated this program,” says Fe Pineda, Chief Executive Officer of SCCC and SCMPC. 
“Every assembly, we have an announcement where we market the YAKAP program. In fact, we are giving enough time to explain to our members the program and its benefits.” 
Pineda adds that they also introduce this program during their Pre-Membership Education Seminars (PMES), so new members can avail of it. 
The program is particularly important for financially- challenged members who would otherwise be unable to afford proper medical care. With YAKAP, they have access to quality healthcare services without having to worry about the financial burden. This is a significant step towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal on health and wellbeing. 
“The co-operative movement was established to help alleviate poverty in our community and it is a must to participate actively in disseminating awareness of the health and wellbeing programs to our members,” Pineda shares. 
“The co-op should provide assistance that is affordable to people and invest in programs such as YAKAP. 
The YAKAP program is not just about providing healthcare services, it also encourages members to take care of their health through preventive measures. The program includes regular check-ups, health education sessions, and access to wellness programs. This holistic approach to health care ensures that members are not only treated when they are sick but are also empowered to take care of their health and prevent illnesses. 
The story of Felicitas Macanas, a 65-year-old retiree from the Landbank of the Philippines, is a testament to the significance of YAKAP. 
“This service helped me twice already since 2021,” Macanas says. 
“Last 2021, I had an operation and they provided me PHP20,000 for it, and last year I had another surgery. The doctors were not able to see the lump in my stomach the first time so I had to undergo two surgeries. During both surgeries, I was able to get benefits from YAKAP.” 
The Sta. Catalina co-operatives have set an example for others to follow. By providing an affordable HMO program for their members, they have shown that it is possible to address the issue of healthcare inequality. 
Macanas shares: “I do enjoy the services that I got from the co-op. Whenever there are problems, the co-operative is ready to help us. I hope that knowing my story, you would try to be one of the members of a co-op; you will not regret it because of the good services that co- operatives offer to us.” 
YAKAP is a testament to the power of co-operatives to make a difference in the lives of their members and their communities. 
Both my husband and I availed of the YAKAP program and we did not regret it,” shares Arlita Sarcon. 
“I did thank my neighbor for introducing us to the co- operative and the YAKAP program,” Sarcon adds. “I wouldn’t have had enough budget for my operations and hospitalizations.” 
When asked why should co-operators take an active role in addressing health awareness and promoting health and wellbeing, Sarcon answers: “We should take an active role because just like me, we are not getting any younger, so our top priority should always be our health and we should take care of it well.” 
YAKAP serves as an exemplary model of how co- operatives can contribute to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of promoting health and wellbeing. With its cost-effective HMO program for low- income members, the Sta. Catalina co-ops have made high-quality healthcare services available to those who require them the most. This initiative is a testament to the capacity of co-operatives to generate positive transformation in their local communities.