NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill provides for the establishment of barangay drugstores or Botika sa Barangay 
in every barangay in the country to provide access to adequate and affordable medicines.  
Since its establishment in 2003, the Botika ng Barangay Program of the Department 
of Health has 8,525 outlets all over the country, providing access to low-priced generic over-
the-counter drugs and five medicated drugs. On the other hand, as of the 2007, there are 
26,386 drugstores under the supervision of the Bureau of Food and Drugs.  Clearly, the 
established botikas service less than 10 percent of the country’s 41,943 barangays.  
This bill aims to remedy the limited number of botikas in the Philippines by making it 
mandatory for the Department of Health to establish public drug stores in each and every 
barangay in the country and offer drugs included in the “core list” of the National Drug 
Formulary such as analgesics, anticonvulsants, anti-migraine and antipyretics. Areas which 
have high poverty and population rates and limited medical and/or health services will be 
prioritized.  Other factors to be considered are the geographical and socio-economic 
conditions of the areas. The highest priority will be given to the economically depressed areas. 
Existing public drug stores in the area shall be maintained and covered by this proposed 
measure.  
Finally, this bill guarantees the safety in the sale of medicines through the supervision 
of a Botika sa Barangay aide to be chosen and trained under the direction of the Department 
of Health.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
December 13, 2022
1:32PM
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY DRUGSTORES, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS “BOTIKA SA BARANGAY” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION. 1.  Title. – This Act shall be known and cited as the “Botika 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 his 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.  Botika 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 botika 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. 
SEC.  4.   Establishment Priority. – The Department of Health shall, in the establishments 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. 
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.  Botika sa Barangay Aide. – Sale of medicines at the BSB shall be facilitated by an 
aide, known as the Botika sa Barangay Aide, who shall be chosen by and trained under the 
direction of the DOH. 
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 DOH 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, 
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