Vice President Sara Duterte asked her supporters to help the victims of Tropical Storm Enteng instead of planning to donate for the budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

People use their umbrellas to shield themselves from the heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Enteng along EDSA in Quezon City on Sept. 2, 2024 (Mark Balmores/MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Sept. 3, the official thanked her supporters who expressed their willingness to donate to the OVP’s budget but sought their help instead for those affected by the recent typhoon.

“Subalit sa pinsalang dala ng bagyong “Enteng”, hinihikayat namin na kung may nais kayong i-donate, nawa’y ito’y ibigay na lamang sa mga kapwa nating kababayan na kasalukuyang lubos na naapektuhan ng pag-ulan at pagbaha (But because of the destruction brought by “Enteng,” we encourage you that if you have something to donate, you should give it to our fellowmen who are currently affected by rains and floods),” she wrote.

“Malaking bagay ang anumang tulong upang maibsan ang kanilang pinagdadaanan at makabangon muli (Any help from you will be a big step to alleviate their suffering and to rise again),” she added.

Her supporters have planned to donate to the OVP after the House of Representatives deferred the approval of her office’s proposed 2025 budget after she refused to defend it during the budget deliberations.

The Vice President, however, said that her supporters should think of their needs first amid the rising cost of living.

“Kasabay pa nito, sa kabila ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pagkain at iba pang pangunahing bilihin, nais rin naming ipabatid na higit na mahalaga ang unahin ninyo ang inyong mga sariling pangangailangan at ang kapakanan ng inyong pamilya (With this, amid the rising prices of food and other basic commodities, we also know that it’s more important for you to prioritize your and your family’s needs),” she said.

“Nauunawaan namin ang mga hamon na hinaharap ng bawat isa, at naniniwala kami na ang inyong mga pinagkukunan ay mas marapat gamitin para sa inyong kapakanan sa panahon ng ganitong mga pagsubok (We understand the challenges that everyone faces, and we believe that your resources would be of better use for your sake in these trying times),” Duterte added.

The official also noted that wanting to help the OVP is enough proof that her supporters believe in her advocacies.

“Mananatiling tapat ang aming Tanggapan sa paglilingkod sa inyo at sa pagtugon sa mga isyung mahalaga sa ating bansa (Our Office will remain true to serve you and to address the issues important to our country),” she stressed.