PhilHealth and DOLE-7 Launch YAKAP for Employed Sector in Central Visayas
PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) VII, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region VII, launched the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) for the employed sector at Robinsons Galleria Cebu on September 16, 2025. The regional rollout builds on the earlier national-level partnership between PhilHealth and DOLE.
More than 200 employees including employer representatives from Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), joined the event, together with PhilHealth-accredited private YAKA Clinics – Clinica Prime and The Hospital at Maayo.
Dr. Maria Eliza Batucan, Chief of PRO VII Health Care Delivery Management Division, speaking on behalf of Regional Vice President Marjorie Cabrieto, highlighted YAKAP, previously known as PhilHealth Konsulta Package, as a powerful concept anchored on primary care for better health outcomes. “PhilHealth YAKAP is our embrace to every Filipino worker, every family, and every community. It is a promise that in times of sickness, every Filipino will feel the embrace of PhilHealth and its partners,” she said.
DOLE-7 Regional Director Atty. Roy Buenafe described the initiative as “a dream come true for employers” to utilize their monthly premium contributions and feel the government’s initiated programs for its citizens.
“With this program, our employees and their families will have greater protection, security, and care. We commend PhilHealth for this meaningful cause,” expressed Matluster Corporation General Manager Rosario P. Canillo, representing the participating Employed Sector.
Officials of YAKAP Clinic partners also expressed their support. Clinica Prime President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Albert Lim also substantiated how YAKAP directly changes lives: “Katong mga pasyente nga duna’y high blood ug diabetes nga dili mopalit og tambal, karon makainom na og tambal. Nakakita gyud mi kung unsa ka-importante ang role sa PhilHealth ug primary care.”
(Those patients with hypertension and diabetes who used to skip buying their medicines can now take them. We have truly seen how vital PhilHealth and primary care are.)
Meanwhile, The Hospital at Maayo Chief Administrator Dr. Faye Abigail Fortich affirmed YAKAP as a significant step in healthcare. “When we come together, both public and private institutions, we create more than just access, we create impact.”
The launch was highlighted by the signing of a manifesto of support by PhilHealth, DOLE, employers, and partner health facilities, followed by the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to signify the start of YAKAP’s services. Some mallgoers also took the opportunity to register with their preferred YAKAP Clinic on-site and underwent their first patient encounter, which included health screenings and consultations.
PhilHealth and DOLE’s collaborative effort reaffirms their shared commitment to every Filipino worker through YAKAP—para malayo sa sakit. (END)
P3.4M shabu seized in Dauis buy-bust operation
Authorities seized more than P3.4 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested a live-in couple during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Dao on Wednesday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
The suspects were identified as Gabriel Arafol, 30, a boatman, and Marilyn Ovial Opeliña, 39, both residents of Purok 2, Barangay Dao.
The operation, led by PDEA agent Chona Igam, resulted in the confiscation of around 510 grams of suspected shabu valued at P3,468,000 based on the standard drug price.
Authorities said the couple was caught selling drugs while carrying their 9-month-old child.
Charges of illegal drug possession and distribution will be filed against Arafol, while Opeliña will face distribution charges, according to PDEA.
Bohol Light raises rates for September citing spot market costs
Bohol Light Company Inc. will raise electricity rates for September 2025, citing higher generation costs in the electricity spot market.
The utility said residential rates will average 12.77 pesos per kilowatt-hour and commercial rates will be 12.19 pesos per kWh.
The company said its distribution, supply and metering charge remains unchanged at 0.98 pesos per kWh.
The rate increase stems from factors beyond the company’s control, Bohol Light said.
Higher generation charges in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) drove the increase, the company said.
Spot market rates fluctuate based on supply and demand conditions, which have been volatile in recent months.
“We understand how important affordable electricity is for every household and business, and we know that any increase in your monthly bill can be a burden,” the company said in a statement.
Ancillary Services drive increase in August 2025 transmission rates
Higher Ancillary Services (AS) costs pushed up transmission rates in August 2025, NGCP announced.
The overall equivalent average transmission rate for the August 2025 billing period rose by 7.09% to PhP1.4171/kWh, up from July’s PhP1.3233/kWh.
AS charges climbed by PhP0.0787/kWh, from PhP0.5872/kWh in July to PhP0.6659/kWh in August.
AS rates are pass-through costs for power supplied by AS providers during supply-demand imbalance. Charges are remitted directly to generating companies with bilateral contracts with NGCP, and to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) for AS sourced from the Reserve Market.
NGCP does not earn from AS and does not benefit from changes in AS prices.
Meanwhile, NGCP’s transmission wheeling rate—or the fee for delivering power through its grid—barely changed, inching up by PhP0.0047/kWh, from PhP0.5923/kWh in July to PhP0.5970/kWh in August.
“For August 2025, NGCP charges only about PhP0.5970/kWh for its transmission service, while Ancillary Services remain the biggest component of transmission-related costs,” the grid operator said.
Duero unveils Bohol’s first Christmas Village at Alcasas Resort
The town of Duero marked the start of the holiday season with the opening of Bohol’s first Christmas Village at Alcasas Resort in Barangay Itum on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
The Disneyland-themed attraction drew hundreds of visitors, particularly families with children, who flocked to see what is being touted as the province’s largest holiday display.
Resort owner Gayza Mae Batolanon said the project was envisioned as a “magical destination” where families can begin celebrating Christmas as early as September.
The village features towering castles, colorful light installations and popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Olaf, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, and Tinker Bell.
To complete the holiday experience, the resort’s restaurant offers local favorites such as native chicken adobo.
The Christmas Village is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. until January. Admission is P100 for adults and P70 for children, with free entry for those three years old and below.
Local officials hope the attraction will boost tourism and generate additional income for the town while giving visitors a unique Christmas experience.
Soft Opening Held for Gov. Celestino Gallares Medical Center in Cortes
The Gov. Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center (GCGMSMC) in Cortes officially opened its doors to the public with a soft opening ceremony on Sept. 15, 2025 at its pavilion in Malayo Sur.
Dr. Elliot Tirol, CEO and Medical Center Chief I, welcomed guests and expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the project’s completion. He said the facility has begun partial operations, with a focus on providing expanded, specialized health care for Bohol and Central Visayas.
The hospital is among the flagship facilities under the Specialty Centers Act of 2023 (Republic Act 11959). It will initially serve as a heart and vascular center and later expand into a lung center, kidney and transplant center, and cancer center once it attains Basic Comprehensive Center status.
The opening program included the unveiling of a commemorative marker and a guided tour of Building A.
Department of Health Undersecretary for Central Visayas Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral urged hospital workers to treat patients with compassion, reminding them that people seek care because they are in need.
Former Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto said the new hospital fulfills a long-held dream of Boholanos to access quality, affordable health services close to home.
Sen. JV Ejercito, who sponsored the Universal Health Care Law and helped secure nearly ₱2 billion in funding for the project, earlier noted that the facility will spare heart patients from traveling to Manila for specialized treatment.
Chatto also described the center as a state-of-the-art hospital equipped with modern facilities and technologies.
Among those present at the soft opening were Engr. Annette Tan of the Health and Services Regulatory Bureau; Central Visayas Regional Director Joshua G. Brillantes; Dr. Van Philip Baton of the Provincial DOH-Bohol; former Rep. Chatto with wife, Balilihan Councilor Pureza Chatto; Provincial Board Member Mutya Kismet Macuno; Dr. Miguelito Jayoma of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center; Dr. Nelson Elle of Don Emilio Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay; Dr. Florge Michael Sy of TRC-Argao; and officials from the Philippine Heart Center, Cebu South Medical Center, and other provincial hospitals.
Carmen, Bohol farmers freed from P3.8M agrarian reform debt
One hundred thirty-five farmers in Carmen, Bohol have been freed from more than 3.8 million pesos in agrarian reform debts following the official distribution of debt condonation certificates, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced Tuesday.
The debt forgiveness covers 120 hectares of agricultural land, releasing Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from decades-old land amortization obligations under a ceremony held at Carmen Gymnasium.
The condonation was made possible under Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which erases unpaid amortizations, interests, penalties and surcharges of farmers awarded land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Launched in 1988, CARP aimed to redistribute agricultural lands to landless farmers but many beneficiaries struggled to pay amortizations, trapping them in debt cycles that often lasted generations.
“The New Agrarian Emancipation Act fulfills the government’s promise of freeing farmers from debt, enabling them to focus on making their lands productive,” said DAR Regional Director Sheila B. Enciso.
Bernardo Lagunoy, who received the highest condonation amount of P180,364.51 pesos, said the debt relief brings “great relief.”
“Now, at last, the land is truly ours — free from any financial obligations,” Lagunoy said, thanking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III.
The debt condonation program aims to benefit an estimated 610,054 ARBs nationwide who owe a collective P58.125 billion pesos in unpaid amortizations as of 2022, according to DAR data.
Woman arrested for cellphone theft at Panglao airport
Aviation police arrested a 34-year-old woman on theft charges after she allegedly stole a cellphone at Bohol-Panglao International Airport, authorities said Monday.
The Aviation Security Group of the Philippine National Police said officers responded to a theft report Sept. 14.
The victim, a 24-year-old overseas Filipino worker who had arrived from Manila, reported her iPhone 15 missing after she left it in an airport restroom.
When the victim returned to retrieve her phone, she found the restroom stall occupied by the suspect, police said.
The suspect, a Pasig City resident, denied seeing the phone and proceeded to board a hotel transfer van.
Officers led by Patrolman Alexis Mendez searched the suspect’s belongings but found nothing. However, they discovered the missing iPhone underneath the van’s driver’s seat, police said.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the airport police station for questioning. Her name was not immediately released.
Cebu Pacific to Add More Flights to Bohol, Boosting Tourism
Cebu Pacific said it will increase flights and aircraft capacity to and from Bohol in the coming months, a move expected to further strengthen the province’s tourism sector.
The budget carrier currently serves five routes from Bohol: Manila, Clark, Iloilo, Davao and El Nido, the latter through partner airline AirSWIFT.
Starting November and December 2025, Cebu Pacific will add flights, including up to five daily flights to Manila, four weekly flights to Iloilo and seven weekly flights to El Nido.
Beginning Nov. 16, the airline will also launch daily flights between Manila and Bohol using a 459-seat Airbus A330neo, which can accommodate more passengers.
The additional flights will raise Cebu Pacific’s Bohol capacity to 105,000 seats by December, a 13% increase from the start of the year, while the number of flights will rise by 12%.
To encourage travelers, the airline is offering a seat sale until Sept. 15, with base fares starting at PHP 299 for select domestic and international destinations. The promo covers flights until March 31, 2026.
Cebu Pacific currently flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Bohol Capitol, LTO, police step up road safety campaign
The provincial government of Bohol has partnered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) to boost road safety and promote discipline among motorists.
The program, featured in this week’s episode of The Capitol Reports, stresses compliance with traffic rules, awareness, and shared responsibility on the road.
LTO Tagbilaran District Office chief Yvonne Auza said keeping motorists informed about proper licensing, vehicle registration, and roadworthiness remains a priority. She urged drivers to secure valid licenses, keep vehicles registered, and ensure road fitness.
To bring services closer to communities, the LTO is rolling out a caravan in various parts of the province.
BPPO spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Norman Nuez reported that Bohol recorded 2,488 traffic-related incidents from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 this year. These included 1,015 cases of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries, 1,424 cases of damage to property, and 49 cases of homicide.
Nuez said the alarming figures highlight the need for information and education campaigns down to the barangay level. He added that the BPPO and LTO are working together to promote defensive driving, road safety awareness, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
Auza said the LTO will strictly implement the “no registration, no travel” policy and intensify its crackdown on unregistered or “colorum” vehicles. Both agencies also reminded motorists to comply with the helmet law by using standard protective helmets with ICC stickers.