Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte hailed her office’s “many firsts” during the 87th anniversary of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Tuesday, Nov. 15, noting key programs she initiated when she took the helm.
She celebrated the OVP’s anniversary at her office in Mandaluyong City where she also received Chinese Consul General Li Lin for a courtesy call.
“We have witnessed the growth of the Vice President's Office with 15 leaders at the helm. But today, we proudly make new history — making many firsts for this government agency,” she said.
Upon learning that the OVP’s medical and burial assistance programs rarely reach Filipinos in the provinces, she endeavored to establish satellite offices outside the National Capital Region (NCR).
So far, the OVP had successfully opened seven satellite offices in as far as Mindanao.
“Having lived in the regions myself, I felt that the OVP needed to be present in the regions,” Duterte said.
“We set out to reach more Filipinos living in cities outside Metro Manila by extending our services to other regions, provinces, and cities across the country. Hence, we opened satellite offices across seven key cities to bring our services closer to the people. A first in the history of the Office of the Vice President,” she added.
Aside from the satellite offices, Duterte also pioneered three service-oriented programs—the OVP Libreng Sakay program that supports the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service in key cities across the Philippines, the PagbaBAGo Campaign, and the Kalusugan Food Trucks.
The food trucks “complement her work at the Department of Education by providing back-to-school kits to students and their parents while addressing malnutrition in schools with the most number of undernourished children,” a statement from the OVP said.
These programs are the realization of a promise the Vice President made during the 2022 election campaign to “deliver aggressive recovery programs post-pandemic.”
The OVP also established the Disaster Relief Operations Center, which she said has become “a new bulwark of the government in increasing the delivery of aid, donations, and services to Filipinos in dire need” because the Philippines is geographically vulnerable to natural disasters.
“The OVP recognizes the importance of collaborations and involvement in disaster risk management. We work closely together with local government units and partner agencies to engage those living in vulnerable areas, through hazard mapping, search and rescue operations, and community rehabilitation,” she said.
“These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to fulfilling our mandate of giving ease and hope to those who suffer the devastating effects of calamities including livelihood loss,” the Vice President furthered.
With the 2023 P2.3-billion budget approved, Duterte said the OVP will help stimulate entrepreneurial activity, create employment, and accelerate economic growth across the Philippines, allowing struggling Filipinos to gain or regain their confidence and financial independence.
Part of the office’s plans next year are the Negosyo ‘Ta Day, Peace 911, and the building of the permanent home of the OVP.
The Mag-Negosyo ta 'Day livelihood program is a spinoff of a similar program she started in her hometown of Davao City when she was city mayor there.
Duterte said the program elevated inclusive financial support for women and LGBTQ+ members in Davao City.
She also shared that the rollout of the Peace 911 initiative freed 17 barangays in Davao City’s Paquibato District from the clutches of the New Peoples Army (NPA).
These programs are going to be implemented “in keeping with the trend of breaking glass ceilings and challenging the status quo,” the Vice President emphasized.
Duterte ended her message by thanking the OVP staff for the success of the organization.
“Happy anniversary to the hardworking and dedicated team behind the OVP’s success. We are here to make things happen,” she said.
“Let us toast to the many firsts we have accomplished and many more public service innovations to come. Patuloy nating mahalin ang Pilipinas,” the official added.