I 
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The facts stated above is mirrored in the following details: 
a) 
about two (2) million Filipino pre-school children, aged one (1) to four (4), are 
undernourished and face the danger of death due to loss of weight and failure to grow; 
b) 
some 40% of the population have tuberculosis; 
c) 
70% of the population are malnourished, with 22% having second to third 
degree malnutrition - one of the world's highest rates; 
d) 
more than half of the population die without receiving any type medical care; 
e) 
according to the World Health Organization, more than 70% of the population 
have access to essential drugs; and 
f) 
there are only about 8,000 barangay health stations to serve the country's 40, 
877 barangays. 
Ll{:": 313 i'8 
"t 
SENATE 
.' I 
I 
'IJHIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
3EPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Regular Session 
c 
S. No. 
Drugstores are normally non-existent in barangays outside of the town proper. Most of 
our people in the countryside are thus deprived of access even to basic drugs and 
medicines when they arc afflicted and in need. 
This bill should provide the answer to this basic need of our people in the country 
side. Within a period of three (3) years, the Department of Health is enjoined to 
establish baraqgay drugstores or "botica sa barangay" in every barangay making 
available drugs for common illnesses such as fever, pain, cough/colds and others, 
including vitamin and mineral preparations. 
Approval of this bill is fervently called for. 
MANUELB. VI 
Senator 


-. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
66 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
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I .  ' 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY 
DRUG STORES OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "BOTICA SA BARANGAY" AND 
FOROTHERPURPOSES 
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." 
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 (3) year program for the 
establishment of barangay drugstores in every barangay or the "botica ng barangay" 
(BSB) giving priority to barangay with more population and poverty incidence, likewise 
taking into consideration the extent of medical and health care and/or services, 
geographical conditions, financial and other socioeconomic 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. 
SEC. 4. Establishment 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 
BSB shall be maintained under the relevant provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 5. Medicine and Drugs Available. -- The BSB shall make available, only 
those medicine and prescription drugs included in the "core list" of national drug 
formulary, the listed generic and trade names thereof to likewise he 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 Department of Health. 
SEC 7. Implementing 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 Department shall also embark on a sustained 
promotional campaign to increase the community's awareness of the BSB through its 
personnel, non-governmental organization, 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. This Act shall take effect upon its approval 
Approved,