More Pinoys, laylayan communities reached

As Robredo marks 2nd year in office

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---The Office of the Vice President continues to help more Filipinos in the fringes of society, as it marks Vice -resident Leni Robredo’s second year at the helm.

As of June 30, 2018, two years since Robredo took her oath of office, the OVP has reached more than 155,000 Filipino families in 176 poor communities around the country, under its Angat Buhay program.

With the help of its partners, most of which are from the private sector, the office has extended to these communities a total of P252million worth of programs and projects.

Launched in October 2016, Angat Buhay, touches on six key advocacy areas—public education, rural development, food security and nutrition, women empowerment, universal healthcare, and housing and resettlement—as well as on disaster response and rehabilitation.

Under this, the OVP links poor communities, under good local leadership, with organizations, corporations, and individuals who want to help. The program is in keeping with VP Leni’s inaugural promise to serve those at the poorest, smallest, and farthest communities.

“Ito iyong pinangako ko noong ako ay kumakandidato, noong aking inauguration— na iyong core talaga na magiging programa ng Office of the Vice President iyong pagasikaso ng mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. And over the course of two years, iyon iyong ginawa natin,” she said.

“Tingin ko iyong pinakamahalaga dito hindi lang iyong pagtulong, pero pinapakita natin iyong kahalagahan ng collaboration, pinapakita natin iyong kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng iba’t ibang stakeholders—na aariin iyong obligasyon na tulungan iyong ating mga kababayan,” she added. “Hindi dahilan iyong limitadong budget, hindi dahilan iyong limitasyon sa kapangyarihan. Basta gustong tumulong, parating may matutulungan.”

Among its various forms of interventions around the country, the OVP and its partners have committed to build 100 transitory shelters for residents displaced by the Marawi Siege, with P14.3 million worth of pledges mobilized for the endeavor. This July 2018, the office will turn over 60 completed houses to beneficiaries.

The OVP has also extended its reach to poor communities in Metro Manila through its Metro Laylayan program, where it brings services like medical missions, legal assistance, and job fairs, with the help of Angat Buhay partners and local governments.