The Office of the Vice President (OVP) opened its new central office in Mandaluyong City with Vice President Sara Duterte leading the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony, her office announced on Monday, Sept. 12.

The central office is located at Robinsons Cybergate Plaza along EDSA corner Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City.

For Duterte, this meant that the OVP’s programs and services—medical and burial assistance, “PagbaBAGo” campaign, “Libreng Sakay” project, and Peace 911—will not only be limited to the National Capital Region (NCR).

The OVP will also start its MagNegosyo 'Ta Day livelihood projects next year.

“Ipapatupad natin ang mga programang ito hindi lamang sa NCR, kundi pati na rin sa Visayas at sa Mindanao (We will implement these programs not only in NCR, but in Visayas and Mindanao as well),” Duterte said in her speech.

She added that the OVP would expand its current programs that would complement government efforts toward effective recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The OVP currently has seven satellite offices in Dagupan, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Davao, Surigao del Sur, and Bacolod.

Duterte, who serves as Education chief in a concurrent capacity, praised the OVP employees for ensuring the delivery of public service to Filipinos.

“Personal akong nagbibigay pugay sa inyo para sa inyong mga sakripisyo at buong-pusong paglilingkod sa bayan bilang mga empleyado ng ating opisina (I personally give tribute to you for your sacrifices and wholehearted service to the nation as employees of the office),” she said.

The establishment of these offices will make the OVP more effective and economical. It will also allow for faster communication between the OVP and more Filipinos, sectors, and companies in the country.

“Ginawa natin ito dahil nais nating maging mas epektibo, mas matipid, at mas mabilis at ating trabaho dito sa (We’ve done this because we want our work to be more effective, cost-efficient, and faster here in the) Central Office,” Duterte said.