City council approves “Botika sa Katawhan”

FINALLY, no more Monalisa syndrome. Affordable medicines for the poor and the rich alike becomes accessible to the poor, the city legislature has approved a proposed ordinance creating the Botika sa Katawhan, June 14 session. Vice Mayor Nuevas Montes, author of the ordinance, with sponsor Councilor Jose Antonio Veloso said the Botika sa Katawhan is another showcase of private sector and the City Government “mixing a potion of cooperation” for Tagbilaran's people.

The prices of medicines have recently become prohibitive that big portion of the city's sick just opt to “just lie there and die there”, thus the lyrics of the song go. The ordinance was enacted as a City Government's policy of ensuring the provision of heath and medical services for the general welfare of its constituents.

It has recognized the inaccessibility and in-affordability of medicines especially for indigents resulting to deaths due to illnesses that never had the benefit of medicinal application. Botika sa Katawhan, Mayor Dan Neri Lim's pet project also includes a package of several services and grants: bundles of joy, medical missions and free clinic, undertaken by concerned city residents taking the initiative of soliciting medicines from local and overseas donors.

Tapped to spearhead the project is Mario Uy, a respected civic leader of the city. The project targets as beneficiaries the indigents of the city, specifically those in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

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