Vice President Leni Robredo promised to some 12 Angat Buhay women beneficiaries that they will continue to receive support from her office until such time they are ready to be on their own.

In a virtual turnover of the Women Livelihood Subsidy for the second batch of women entrepreneurs under the Angat Buhay (AB) Women and Sustainable Livelihood and Training (SLT) program, she assured the beneficiaries that her office’s role in their livelihood programs will not end with the turnover of the subsidy. 

“We want to let you know that our partnership will not end (just) because the fund has been released. This is just the start. But our partnership is a one big package where we will be there to monitor, see what else you need—what you need in terms of technical training, knowledge, to help you link to the markets. We will continue with our partnership,” Robredo said in Filipino.

On Thursday, Robredo led the turnover of livelihood subsidies to a total of 12 Angat Buhay women partners. They are a part of the Bayanihan Mart in partnership with Iskaparate.

“We want to guide you until you’re ready, are earning well, until you are proud of what you do not because of the products, but because what you’re doing is helping your families and the community.”

The vice president emphasized that the subsidy was not a loan, but a provision from her office.

Earlier, Robredo promised to maximize the use of its budget for medical assistance and sustainable living and livelihood. 

Despite being the opposition leader, she received a P229-million increase in its 2021 budget, bringing the total to P900 million. 

The increase was awarded on the back of Robredo’s excellent rating from the Commission on Audit (COA), as well as what it did with its meager resources during the height of the coronavirus outbreak last year. 

At the same time, Robredo’s office has been supporting various communities and sectors in need nationwide through livelihood subsidies.