THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution provides, among others, that "the State shall adopt an 
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeqvor to 
make essential goods, health and other social services available to all people at 
affordable cost." 
Drugstores are normally non-existent in barangays outside of the town proper 
and most of our people in the countryside are deprived of access even to basic drugs 
and medicines when they are afflicted and in need; 
This bill, by institutionalizing the Botica sa Barangay Program, should provide the 
answer to this basic need of our people in the countryside. Within a period of three (3) 
years, the Department of Health is enjoined to establish drugstores in every barangay 
so as to make available drugs and medicines for common illnesses such as fever, pain, 
cough/colds, and others, including vitamin and mineral preparations. 
Eventually, the list of drugs could be expanded to better respond to the needs of 
every barangay and community in the country. 
Originally filed in The 12th Congress but failed to be enacted into law, this 
representation strongly believes that since the delivery of health services is one area 
where the government has long been inefficient and ineffective, the immediate passage 
of this bill is earnestly sought. 4 
GG Y EJERCITO ESTRADA 
C 
J Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
'08 
J$j y" 71;) 14% 
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S E N A T E  
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Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY DRUGSTORES, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "BOTICA SA BARANGAY", 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the 'Botica sa 
Barangay Act of 2004". 
SECTION 2. Declarafion of PoNcy. - The State shall protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Towards this 
end, the State shall provide adequate social services and endeavor 'to make essential 
goods, health and other social services available to every barangay at affordable cost. 
SECTION 3. Botica sa Barangay, - The Department of Health shall, within thirty 
(30) days after the approval of this Act, undertake a three (3)-year program for the 
establishment of barangay drugstores or botica sa barangay (BSB), in every barangay, 
giving priority to barangays on the basis of population, poverty incidence, extent of 
medical and health care and/or services, geographical conditions, financial and other 
socio-economic factors and such other considerations as may be deemed necessary in 
undertaking the program within the context of the national plans and policies on social 
services, health and medical care. 
SECTION 4. Esfablishment Priority. - The Department of Health shall, in the 
establishment of the BSB, undertake prior consultations with the Municipal 
Development Council concerned: Provided, that in the establishment of the BSB, 
highest priority shall be given to those economically depressed barangays. 
Existing BSBs shall be maintained and shall be covered by relevant provisions of 
this Act. 


, 
SECTION 5. Drugs Available. - The BSB shall make available, only those drugs 
included in the "core list" of the national drug formulary, and the names thereof listed in 
their respective generic and trade names made available to the public. 
SECTION 6. Bofica sa Barangay Aide. - Sale of medicines at the BSB shall be 
facilitated by an aide, known as the Botica sa Barangay Aide, who shall be chosen by 
and trained under the direction of the DOH. 
SECTION 7. lmplerneniing Rules and Guidelines. - The Department of Health 
shall issue the necessary rules and guidelines as may be needed to fully implement the 
provisions of this Act. In addition, the DOH shall also embark on a sustained 
promotional campaign to increase the community's awareness of the BSB through its 
personnel, non-governmental organizations, barangay official and the print and 
broadcast media. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - fill laws, presidential decrees and other 
executive issuances, rules and regulations ur parts thereof which are inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. This Act shall take effbct upon fifteen (15) days after complete 
I 
I 
I 
publication in the official Gazette or in two (2), 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.