A total of 1,050,018 Davao City residents benefited from free medicines provided by the City Health Office (CHO) through the Botika ng Bayan (BNB) in various health centers in 2025.
Botika ng Bayan Head Gemma Pujanes said over Davao City Disaster Radio on Friday, that data from 2023 to 2025 showed almost the same number of beneficiaries each year.
“Kung imong tan-awon ang datos since 2023, 2024, ug 2025, halos gamay lang ang ligas; diha na gyud siya sa mga 1 million. So I think na-reach nato ang level sa pag-serve nato sa atong clients. Hopefully sa 2026, mas mapadaghan pa gyud nato ang clients nga maserbisyohan ani atong Botika ng Bayan (If you look at the data from 2023, 2024, and 2025, the difference is minimal, as the number has consistently been around one million. I think we have already reached our level in serving our clients. Hopefully, in 2026, we will be able to serve even more clients through our Botika ng Bayan).” she said.
She said the commonly availed of by the public include cardiovascular medicines, maintenance medicines, vitamins, and other essential drugs, which are available in 18 main health centers that have their own pharmacies.
“Ang serbisyo sa BNB available na sa 18 health centers ug aduna pud kita’y special na area naa sa Malasakit Center, mao’y pinakauna nga Botika ng Bayan. Kini siya naga-augment ug naga-work hand in hand pud sa paghatag og medicines, ug naa pud ta sa City Health Office main office nga Botika ng Bayan (The Botika ng Bayan services are now available in 18 health centers, and there is also a special area at the Malasakit Center, which houses the first Botika ng Bayan. This facility augments and works hand in hand in providing medicines. In addition, there is also a Botika ng Bayan at the City Health Office main office),”she added.
The 18 main health centers are located in Agdao, Baguio, Buhangin, Bunawan, Calinan, El Rio, Jacinto, Marilog, Mini-Forest, Mintal, GSIS, Pacquibato, Puan, Sasa, SIR, Tomas Claudio, Toril A, and Toril B.
Pujanes also said that the CHO has hired eight additional pharmacists to assist clients in all Botika ng Bayan outlets across the 18 main health centers.
She added that aside from dispensing medicines, BTB pharmacists also guide clients on the proper use of medicines and emphasize the importance of following doctors’ prescriptions to ensure effectiveness.
The pharmacists likewise ensure that safe, effective, and quality medicines are provided to the public.
Pujanes encouraged Davao City residents to take advantage of the program by bringing a prescription with a three-month validity, a patient ID, and an ID of the family member who will claim the medicines. CIO
