Five years in office, Vice President Leni Robredo is still getting things done despite having a small team.
In a latest Facebook post, Robredo took pride of the productivity and efficiency of Office of the Vice President (OVP) staff, saying they render public service without complaints.
"Maliit lang yung opisina namin pero marami kaming nagagawa (Our office is small but we accomplish a lot)," Robredo said.
"Dahil yun sa mga kasama ko sa opisina na hindi nagbibilang ng oras, hindi nagrereklamo sa trabaho, at buong buo ang pagbibigay ng sarili para sa bayan. Marami ngang dapat ipagpasalamat (It's because my colleagues in the office are not counting the hours, not complaining about work, and have completely offered their service to the nation. We have a lot to be thankful for)," she added.
Robredo, fondly called "busy presidente" by her supporters, however readily admitted that the work continues even during weekends.
When people started asking her about plans for the weekend, she said she still has a lot of work, from paperwork, delivery of speeches to other public engagements. The OVP also has a number of COVID-19 response programs such as free mobile antigen testing and telemedicine service.
"Tiningnan ko din weekend schedule, wala pala akong no-sked day (I look at my weekend schedule, I don't have a no-sked day)," the former lawmaker said.
Despite facing some difficulties, Robredo said she has mastered the practice of finding the "silver lining" in everything she does. At present, she is grateful for having a job amid the pandemic.
"Sa bawat hirap, maghanap ng silver lining (In every difficulty, look for the silver lining)," she said.
"So ngayon, maraming paper work, pero at least, nagtratrabaho akong naka pajama na. Kaya kumportable na. May work schedule pa din ako bukas saka sa Linggo, pero at least, may trabaho ako. Marami ngayong gustong magtrabaho, pero walang mapasukan kasi maraming negosyong nagsara (So now, I have many paperwork but at least I work in my pajamas. It's comfortable. I have a work schedule tomorrow and Sunday but at least I have work. Many people want to work but can't find a job because many business shut down)," she said.
To keep her work organized, she keeps a "blue folder" that includes all requests for speeches, video messages, invitations, among others. The OVP prepares an average of 50 to 60 speeches a week.
"A few days before every shoot, iemail nila sa akin yung draft speeches for my comments, edits, etc. Mahaba din proseso (A few days before every shoot, the draft speeches are emailed to me for my comments, edits, etc. It's a long process)," she said.
"Pag maraming invitations na tinatanggap, domino effect din ang trabaho sa ibang teams (If there are many invitations received, there's a domino effect on the work of other teams) - scheduling team, engagement/protocol team (kung live), video editors/camera man/teleprompter operator (if pre recorded)," she said.
Just last month, the OVP received the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the third straight year. Robredo's office got the recognition after presenting its financial statements and financial positions were in order.
Back in February, the OVP received the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recertification, which Robredo considered an affirmation of her team's quality work especially during the pandemic. The OVP first secured the ISO certification in 2017.