The first “Botika ng Bayan” in Paquibato District has finally opened in Barangay Paquibato Proper, bringing to six the village drugstore outlets established by the Davao City government in partnership with the Department of Health (DoH).
The opening of the government-run Botika ng Bayan provides residents an accessible outlet for needed medicines especially those living in remote villages of Paquibato District, which comprises 13 barangays and home to most Ata tribes.
“This (Botika ng Bayan) is just a first step. The next step will be establishing functional health centers here in Pacquibato,” said Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte who led Wednesday’s launch of the center.
Vice Mayor Baste urged the people to make use of the pharmacy and also committed support to the needs of the barangay.
He said the city government is eyeing to build more health centers in the district to complement the BNB.
“Rest assured nga kami, gusto gyud namo maabot diri. Priority gyud namo ang Paquibato, mao na’y tinuod diha, ug mao gyud na’y trabaho pud namo (The city officials always see to it that we come to this area. Paquibato is our priority and that is what we are working on),” Baste said.
The establishment of Botika ng Bayan was part of the city government’s commitment to providing accessible health facilities in underserved areas. It also ensures free access to safe and effective medicines for all.
The five Botika ng Bayan already operating are located at the Lingap Center – Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the City Health Office, and the city health centers in Calinan, Toril, and Bunawan District.
Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, the chief of the City Health Office (CHO), said the residents will no longer travel far to buy medicine every time a common illness catches them.
“The BnB (Botika ng Barangay) program aims to provide free medicines for common diseases to the residents”, she said.
To avail of free medicines, Villafuerte said patients only need to bring a valid doctor’s prescription.
“Whether the prescription came from us (CHO) or a private health center, they can present their prescription to the BnB,” she added.
The essential medicines available in the BNB include antibiotics, vitamins for children, drugs for cough and fever, and maintenance drugs for hypertension and diabetes.
Providing accessible health services is one of the top priority agenda of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.
The opening of the Botika is a great relief to the residents of Paquibato, said Paquibato Proper Kagawad Alberto Paig.
“Diri sa Paquibato, mao na’y ginapaabot karon sa mga tao gyud kay ang Paquibato District is perting pagkalisura nga barangay ni. Gawas nga bukid, wala pa gyud kaayo mga kwarta ang mga tao, mao nang ang ilang ginapangandoy gyud pag-ayo, kanang libreng tambal (We have been waiting for the opening of the Botika ng Bayan because life here is very hard. Aside from being a rural area, most of the people have no money, that’s why the residents here have been hoping for free medicines),” he said
Paig recalled Paquibato residents used to buy medicines from the City Health pharmacy. But this did not last long because it has no income. He said people cannot afford to pay their medicines.
Barangay Captain Mel Joseph P. Escobidal also said that patients were brought to Panabo City just to get medicines.
“Dunay mga pasyente na maabot then resitahan sila, then wala sa barangay, ipadala pa sila sa Panabo, unya dili makumpleto ug palit (Patients from here have to go to Panabo for their rescribed medicines. Most, however, cannot afford the medicines),” he said.
Escobidal said the BNB’s opening makes life in Paquibato better with health services and medicines made accessible for the marginalized, underserved, and vulnerable population.
Residents in the barangay were also grateful for the project.
One of them – Jocelyn Lanticse, a mother of a 3-year-old girl, was happy that free medicines are provided now in case her toddler gets sick.
“Dako jud kaayo nga tabang ug magkalintura ang bata, ubuhon (It’s a great help whenever the child gets sick),” she said.
Sixty-five-year-old Rosita Luyucan, who happens to be a Bagobo-Giangan native, said she needed medicines for her skin problems but they were too expensive. She hoped it will be available in the Botika, too. CIO
