Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
House Bill No. m7 2
RE6E
I    DATE
INTRODUCED 8¥ REPRESENTATIVES RALPH l^rENDEL P. TULFo,
|0CELYN P. TULFO, AND ERWIN T. TULFO
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY
DRUGSTORES, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "B0TIKA NG BARANGAY"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Pursuant to Article 11, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the
policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them. Likewise, in accordance with Article XIII, Section
11, the State is mandated to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other
social services available to all the people at affordable cost.
By virtue of Department of Health Administrative Order No. 144, s. 2004, the
"Botika ng Barangay" @nB) program was launched in 2004. The BnB was defined as a
drug  outlet  managed  by  a  legitimate  community  organization,  non-government
organization and/ or local government unit, with a trained operator and a supervising
pharmacist.   The BNB was a government-initiated poverty alleviation program to
increase access of community people to affordable medicines.1 Having been renamed
to "Botika ng Bayan" (BNB), it was subsequently discontinued in 2011,2 and later on
revived in 2018.3 These BNBs were flagship outlets of the Cheaper Medicines Program
1 Palompon, Daisy et al.,  "Community-Based Drugstores  (Botika ng Barangay):  Its Contribution to
Family                            Living                           Standards " ,                            RescarcJiGfl fc,                            2009,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270835159_Community_Drugstore_Botika_ng_Barangay
_Its_Contribution_to_Family_Living_Standards
2Lalu,GabrielPabico,"DOHrevivesBotikangBayantohelpLGUs,ruralhealthunits'',JNQuJR£R.net,
16]uly2018,https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1010737/doh-revives~botika-ng-bayan~to-help-lgus-rural-
health-units
3    Noriega,     Richa,     "Botika     ng    Bayan    programs",     GMA     NeztJs     O#JI.#c,     22     Feb.     2022,
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/822676/dilg-directs-1gus-to-strengthen-
botika-ng-bayan-programs/story/


of the government that used the franchising business format. However, this program
met difficulties due to its sustainability and nature as a private franchise.4
This proposed legislative measure seeks to establish barangay drugstores anew
to be known as "Botika ng Barangay" in economically depressed barangays. In this bill,
a "Botika ng Barangay Aide" shall be chosen by and trained under the direction of the
MunicipalityorCityHealthOffice,inclosecoordinationwiththePunongBarangayand
head of the Barangay Health Center and shall facilitate the sale of medicines. Thus, this
bill aims to ensure the proper, convenient, and regular access of the Filipino people to
affordable essential medicines, most especially in poor communities.
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passing of this bill is
¢EL
RALPH NI
P.TULF0      |OCE
Rlepresentative                                 Rje
FOER
sought.
211d District of Quezon aty               ACT-CIS partyhst                 ACT-GIS party
4 Picazo, Oscar, "Review of the Cheaper Medicines Program of the Philippines: Botika ng Barangay,
Botika ng Bayan,  P100 Treatment Pack,  and the Role of PITC Pharma, Inc.  in Government Drug
Procareirrenl``,        Phitippine        Institute       for        Developnent        Studies,        2012,       hlttps..//seap-
p.pids.gov.ph/publication/public/view?slug=review-of-the-cheaper-medicines-program-of-the-
phi]ippines-botika-ng-barangay-botika-ng-bayan-plo
2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
House Bill No. If 7 2
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES RALPH l^rENDEL P. TULFO,
|0CELYN P. TULFO, AND ERWIN T. TULFO
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT 0F BARANGAY
DRUGSTORES, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ``B0TIKA NG BARANGAY"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Riapresentatives of the Phittppi:res in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Sfeorf lt.fie. -This Act shall be known as the "Botika ng Barangay Act" .
8
9           SEC. 2. Dcchartzf±.o# a/ PoJ..ey.  -The state shall protect and promote the right to
10      health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Towards this end,
11      the state shall provide adequate social services and endeavor to make essential goods,
12      health, and other social services available to every barangay at affordable cost.
13
14           SEC. 3. Boft.ke Hg Bflrtz#gry. -The Department of Health (DOH) shall, within sixty
15      (60)  days  after  the  approval  of  this  Act,  undertake  a  three-year  program for  the
16      establishment of barangay drugstores or Botika ng Barangay (BNB) in every barangay,
17      giving priority to barangays on the basis of population, poverty incidence, extent of
18      medical health care and services, geographic conditions, financial and other socio-
19      economic  factors,  and  such  other  considerations  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  in
20      undertaking the program within the context of national plans and policies on social
21      services, health, and medical care.
22
3


1           SEC. 4. £stobz{.sJ!"e#£ Pr!.a".fry.  -The  DOH shall,  in the  establishment of BNB,
2      undertake   prior   consultations   with   the   Municipal/City   Development   Council
3      concerned: Prot„.did, That in the establishment of the BNB, highest priority shall be
4      given to economically depressed barangays. Existing BNBs shall be maintained and
5      shall be covered by relevant provisions of this Act.
6
7           SEC. 5. Dmgs AtJ¢..habJc.  -The BNB shall make available only those medicines
8      included in the ``core list" of the National Drug Formulary and the names thereof listed
9      in their respective generic and trade names made available to the public.
10
11           SEC. 6. Bof!.ke #g B¢rfl#g#y A!.dc. -Sale of medicines at the BNBs shall be facilitated
12      by an aide, known as the ``Botika ng Barangay Aide'', who shall be chosen by and
13      trained  under  the  direction  of  the  Municipality  or  City  Health  Office,  in  close
14      coordination with the punong Barangay and head of the Barangay Health center.
15
16          SEC.  7.  Implementing  Rules  and  Regulations.  -  The  Secretary  o£  Health,  in
17      cooperation with the  Secretary  of  Interior  and  Local  Government,  shall  issue  the
18      necessary rules and regulations as may be needed to fully implement the provisions of
19      this  Act.  In  addition,  the  DOH  and  the  Department  of  the  Interior  and  Local
20      Government shall also embark on a sustained promotional campaign to increase the
21      commuhity's awareness of the BNBs through its personnel, barangay officials, and the
22      media.
23
24            SEC.  8.  SqEJflrflb..Ji.fry   Chawse.   -  If  any  provision  or  part  of  this  Act  is  held
25      uncoustitutional or invalid, the other provisions or parts thereof not affected thereby
26      shall continue to be in full force and effect.
27
28           SEC. 9. Rapc¢JI.#g cha#se. -The provisions of presidential Decree No.1569 and all
29      other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof
4


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.
SEC. 10. £#ecf!.tJ..fry. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
5