The City of Mati LGU opened its first Botika ng Bayan under the administration of Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat.

The launching was held at the City Health Office in Madang on Thursday, March 12, and was attended by Mayor Michelle; City Health Officer Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan, Jr. of the City Health Office; Assistant Regional Director Dr. Lenny Joy Johnson-Rivera of the Department of Health; Development Management Officer IV Doris P. Veroy of the Department of Health; Registered Pharmacists of Davao Region, City Health Office health workers.

The Botika ng Bayan is part of Mayor Michelle’s election promise to make sure that the delivery of basic services is unhampered despite the change of administration with a promise that in 2020 the budget for health will be fully maximized as required by law.

Botika ng Bayan is also part of the City Health Office’s dry run for the Universal Health Care.

“I would like to thank the Mayor for allocating 15% of the City IRA to the health and for her full support. To the DOH for the partnership and for providing quality, affordable and accessible health care services to the people for 3 years,” said Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan, Jr.

Botika Ng Bayan will provide free access to essential medicines for common diseases in the community targeting indigents and the marginalized sectors of the population.

“Only Mati has Botika ng Bayan in Davao Oriental, because we want to take good care of our people by giving them free access to quality essential medicines. Thank you to the DOH and to the health workers, the young ones for taking on the challenge. I am very happy because we can now take care of our people,” said Mayor Michelle Rabat.

Botika ng Bayan is part of the Duterte administration’s thrust to provide quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services for Filipinos. (CIO MATI)