GMA launches Botika, Tindahan in Navotas

President Arroyo inaugurated yesterday the government’s "Botika sa Barangay" and "Tindahan Natin" programs in the coastal town of Navotas, which is celebrating its centennial.

"It’s part of the President’s Serbisyo Muna program and also in connection with our town’s centennial activity," Alex Rosete, public information officer of Malabon-Navotas Rep. Ricky Sandoval, said.

It was Sandoval and his wife Jeannie who acted as the President’s hosts during her visit yesterday in Navotas.

Rosete said at least seven of the 14 barangays in Navotas were given licenses by the President to open and operate barangay drugstores, where residents can avail of low priced medicine.

These are Barangays Sipac Almacin, Bagong Bayan North, San Rafael, North Bay Boulevard South, Tanza, Bangkulasi, and Daang Hari.

The drugstores would be managed by the barangay chairmen, except in Daang Hari which would be run by a senior citizens’ group.

"Based on the plan, residents can avail of medicine priced up to 70 percent lower as that in other drugstores," Rosete said.

The President also opened a Tindahan ni Gloria branch in Sitio Isla Puting Bato in North Bay Boulevard South, allowing residents to avail of low priced basic commodities.

The Tindahan is part of the government’s initiative to provide low-priced but good quality rice and fortified noodles to low-income families.

Under the program, Tindahan outlets sell NFA well-milled rice variety at P18 per kilo and fortified noodles at P4.25 per pack.

Luningning Villamejor, a member of Sandoval’s staff, said a medical mission benefiting some 5,000 patients, a feeding activity for some 700 pupils and distribution of rice to poor residents were also held during the President’s visit in Navotas.

Meanwhile, motorists are advised to plan their trip and look for alternate routes going to and from downtown Navotas this early as main roads will be closed to traffic starting 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said the advisory was issued to give time for motorists to adjust and not be inconvenienced by the Historical Parade, one of the major highlights in the celebration of the town’s 100th foundation day.

Ordered totally closed for the centennial rites are M. Naval street, Gov. Andres Pascual street, North Bay Boulevard and Circumferential Roads 3 and 4 (C-3 and C-4).

Navotas, now home to 250,000 inhabitants, used to be a part of Malabon on some 1,069 hectares of land carved out from the mainland by the combined action of the Malabon-Navotas river and tidal action of the Manila Bay.

This natural phenomenon was best described by the Tagalog word "nabutas" (literally, breached or pierced through) from which the town later got its name.

San Jose de Navotas was the first official name given to the locality.

On Feb. 16, 1859, it separated from Tambobong (old Malabon), but was incorporated into the province of Rizal in 1901.

Two years later, it was again merged with Malabon as one municipality.

On Jan. 16, 1906, Navotas finally gained its independence from Malabon as a district municipality.

Tiangco leads other municipal officials, employees and representatives from people’s organizations, non-government organizations, the business community, barangay officials and local residents in the weeklong festivities that began Jan. 9.

To join some 10,000 marchers expected are elaborately decorated floats.

Street performers, drum and bugle and lyre bands, mascots, clowns and jugglers will line up the parade route to provide more color to the festivities.