BAGUIO CITY– The Department of Health, in partnership with the City Government of Baguio and Barangay Health Centers, opened two more Fourmula One Plus Botika ng Bayan (F1 + BNB) in the city to provide free access to essential medicines to the populace.
DOH–Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan, City Health Officer Rowena Galpo, City Council Committee on Health Chairperson Joel Alangsab and Marlene De Castro, representing Mayor Benjamin Magalong, led the official launching of the F1+ BNBs at the Asin and Atab Health Centers here on Monday, June 21.
The establishment of BNBs is in line with Republic Act 11223, otherwise known as Universal Health Care Act of 2019, particularly in the provision of support to LGUs in the financing of capital investments and provision of population-based interventions. The government recognizes that medicine and health products are indispensable commodities in the prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases.
“The DOH aims to revitalize and re-establish BNBs in all RHUs and other government health centers to ensure access to safe, effective and quality medicines to patients, prioritizing the marginalized and underserved population, like the elderly children, IPs(indigenous peoples) and those living in Geographically Isolated and Depressed Areas (GIDA) and urban poor areas,” Pangilinan said.
“This BNB program will also help reduce the out of pocket expenses of our people by providing essential medicines to health facilities catering to the underserved population through the strong collaboration among DOH, LGU and the community,” she added.
There are now three BnBs in Baguio with the first one established at the Irisan Health District in November 2019. DOH hopes that the 13 other health districts in Baguio will also apply for the program.
Pangilinan bared that there are also established BNBs in Bokod, Kabayan and Kibungan in Benguet; San Juan and Luba in Abra; Balbalan in Kalinga and Paracelis in Mountain Province.
The F1 + BNB Program also aims to benefit active uniformed personnel and their dependents, Pangilinan said. In line with it, DOH-CAR in partnership with the Police Regional Office Cordillera is set to open a BNB at Camp Bado Dangwa on Wednesday (June 23).
Another BnB is set for opening at Fort Del Pilar to serve Philippine Military Academy personnel and their families. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
