TAGBILARAN CITY —From war-torn Marawi City in Lanao del Sur in the morning to the typhoon Odette-hit Bohol in the afternoon, Vice President Leni Robredo crossed regions on Friday, April 1, to vow calamity-stricken communities that under her presidency, they will never be alone.
Before a mammoth crowd at the Dilaáb Leni-Kiko Bohol People's Rally staged at the old Tagbilaran City Airport, the presidential aspirant reaffirmed her commitment for better disaster response under her leadership.
Robredo has promised a government that will not be missing in action in times of disasters, where people will no longer have to beg for help.
"Gobyernong tapat na hindi mo na kailangang magmakaawa. Na hindi mo na kailangan humingi ng tulong at ayuda (An honest government where you will no longer have to beg. Where you will no longer have to ask for help and relief), the Vice President said.
"Dahil ang numero unong trabaho ng gobyerno na pinapangako namin sa inyo, tulungan ka at iangat ka (Because the number one role of the government we are promising you will help you and lift you up)," she added.
Bohol, one of the hardest-hit provinces during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December last year, was among the first provinces Robredo visited a day after the typhoon hit the province to assess firsthand the damages it caused and to bring necessary initial assistance.
This is the preview of governance Robredo is promoting.
She went on by committing to create a proactive government that will provide immediate intervention to those in need the moment a disaster hits.
"Gobyerno na hindi mo na kailangang hanapin dahil oras na tumama ang sakuna, kasama mo na siya (A government that you won't need to look for because the moment a calamity comes, it is already with you)," Robredo said.
"Ang relief prepositioned na. Ang plano sa pagresponde, kasado na. At 'yan hindi lang basta slogan, hindi lang pangako dahil panahon ng kampanya. Napatunayan na po natin 'yan. Ang Bohol mismo ang ating resibo (Relief is already prepositioned. Response operation plans are already prepared. And that is not just a slogan, not just a promise because this is the campaign season.We have already proven that in Bohol. Bohol is the receipt)," Robredo added.
In Lanao del Sur, which she barnstormed Friday morning until noon, Robredo also told war-stricken communities that she will speed up the rehabilitation efforts and immediately set aside funds for the Marawi Compensation Bill, if elected president.
The projects her office has implemented, she said, will testify to her mission to establish better disaster relief efforts in the country.
In Marawi City, the Vice President said her office, through the help of its partners, was able to bring more than P100 million worth of assistance to aid the city's rehabilitation from the 2017 siege. The Office of the Vice President also put up Community Learning Hubs and school buildings and supported the livelihood of women weavers in Barangay Dayawan.
"Ano yung resibo ng pagmamahal namin sa inyo dito sa Marawi? Lagi kaming nandito. Na kahit napakahirap pumunta dito, napakalayo, lagi po kaming nandito (What can testify for my love for Marawi? We are always here. That no matter how difficult it is to get here, we are always here),” Robredo said.
READ MORE: Robredo woos Lanao del Sur voters for repeat of 2016 victory