Vice President Sara Duterte paid tribute to the families affected by recent calamities, vowing that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will continue providing “immediate, efficient, and heartfelt” assistance as disasters strike multiple regions.

Speaking at the OVP’s 90th anniversary celebration in Makati City, Duterte said the OVP stands with communities devastated by the Cebu earthquake, successive typhoons, widespread flooding, and the threat of volcanic activity.

“We mourn with those who have lost loved ones,” she said.

“It is in these moments of profound crisis that the government must be the strongest,” she added.

Duterte praised disaster response teams for their round-the-clock deployment following each calamity, calling their work “relentless” and essential to reaching affected communities without delay.

“Our commitment to providing immediate assistance is evident in the relentless work of our disaster response teams, who move right after every typhoon, earthquake, and other emergencies. These courageous individuals deserve our recognition,” she said.

She added that despite limited resources, the OVP remains committed to sustaining front-line operations.

“Your resilience ensures that essential aid reaches our kababayan immediately, efficiently, and with heart,” Duterte said.

Addressing OVP employees from central and satellite offices, Duterte thanked them for holding the institution together through crises and constraints.

“This institution’s success is a direct result of the relentless effort you put into service delivery every single day,” she said.

She noted that the office continues to deliver programs and assistance nationwide despite budget limits and logistical challenges.

Duterte also cited long-term efforts to strengthen the OVP, including plans for the OVP Museum, a permanent office, and the proposed OVP Charter.

“These goals are dedicated to all of you,” she told OVP staff.

“They will ensure that the excellence you demonstrate now will be supported and sustained by future public servants,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Vice President urged Filipinos to remain committed to bayanihan and uphold the values that define the Vice Presidency as it enters its ninth decade.

“Ipagpatuloy natin ang tapat na paglilingkod sa ating Inang Bayan. Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas — para sa Diyos, sa bayan, at bawat pamilyang Pilipino (Let us continue our honest service to our Motherland. Let us love the Philippines — for God, for the nation, and for every Filipino family,” she said.

Vice President Duterte also paid tribute to former vice presidents and their families, acknowledging that the OVP’s current role was shaped by decades of leadership and public service.

“We recognize that the institution we serve today was built by your sacrifice, your wisdom, and your personal dedication to the Filipino people,” she said.

She highlighted the OVP’s 90th Anniversary Coffee Table Book and ongoing pop-up exhibits in major cities, which document the legacy of past vice presidents.