PGMA to launch 15,000th BnB in Cabatuan, Iloilo
Fresh from her trips to Turkey, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to proceed in this province today, September 24, for the launching of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in the country at Brgy. Tiring in the municipality of Cabatuan.
President Arroyo is expected to arrive in Cabatuan around 4 pm. Upon her arrival, the President will be briefed by Health Undersecretary Dave Lozada, who is representing Health Secretary Francisco Duque.
Duque is in Hong Kong attending the World health Organization regional committee meeting.
Launched in 2003, the BnB formed part of President Arroyo’s efforts to reduce the cost of medicines commonly bought by the poor to half of their 2001 prices and make them available nationwide through the “Half-Priced Medicines Program”.
Based on the record of the Department of Health, as of September 22, 2009, a total of 14,999 BnBs are established in various parts of the country.
There are also 892 Kabalikat ng Botika Binhi (KBBI) outlets and 462 pharmacies by the National Pharmaceutical Foundation established nationwide according to the DOH.
The KBBI are funded by the members of the Peso for Health with counterpart from the local government unit.
The DOH, in coordination with the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) was tasked to lead the distribution network of medicines being sold at the BnB outlets.
Medicines that can be accessed at BnBs are low-priced generic over-the counter drugs and other prescription drugs such as for diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
“The launching of the 15000th Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in the country will provide easy access to cheaper medicines, not only to the poor residents of Barangay Tiring but also its neighboring communities”.
This sentiment was both shared by Mayor Ramon Yee of Cabatuan, Iloilo and Genovevo Monticado, Punong Barangay of Tiring, in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.
Monticado said he was very happy when Mayor Yee told him about the project after it was presented to the local chief executive by the Department of Health (DOH) 6.
Brgy. Tiring is the biggest barangay in Cabatuan with a population of 2,411. It is 4 kilometers away from the town proper and 20 kms. away from Iloilo City.
DOH 6 Representative Mary Agnes Halili said the establishment of the BnB in Tiring will spare poor residents from traveling 3 kilometers just to buy cheaper medicines at Brgy. Gibuangan, Tigbauan where the nearest BnB is located.
Barangay Tiring is the latest addition to the 16 barangays in the town with existing BnB outlets and have benefited in the program launched by President Arroyo in 2003 aimed to ensure accessibility and availability of affordable medicines to poor people in the communities, including insurgency-affected areas.
DOH 6 reported that there are 1,604 BnBs in the region and 14,999 nationwide, as of September 22, 2009. (PIA, PNA reports)