SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 16 -10 
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SEP 11 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. 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 
endeavor 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. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 16 4 0 
'13 
SEP 11 
P2 :40 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY DRUGSTORES, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "BOTICA SA BARAN GAY" , AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known and cited as the 
"Botica sa Barangay Act of 2013". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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. 
SEC. 3. Botica sa Barangay. - The Department of Health shall, within 
thirty (30) days after the approval of this Act, undertake a three-year program for 
the establishment of barangay drugstores or botiea sa barangay (BSB) in every 
barangay, giving priority to barangays on the basis of population, poverty 
incidence, extent of medical 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 national 
plans and poliCies on social services, health and medical care. 
SEC. 4. Establishment Priority. - The Department of Health (DOH) 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. 
SEC. 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. 


SEC. 6. Botica 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. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. - This 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. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees and other 
executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect upon fifteen (15) days after 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,