Vice President Leni Robredo welcomed her second year in office in Basilan, where she had separate consultations with tribal weavers and out-of-school youth.
On Friday, June 29, VP Leni visited the Yakan Tribe of Lamitan City, who produce intricately-designed textile through the traditional Tennun weaving. Here, she interacted with some of the weavers, including Ambalang Ausalin, who has been hailed as a National Living Treasure.
The Vice President committed to put up a weaving center for the community, noting how the weavers work on the streets or right outside their homes—having to endure the heat of the sun, and stopping their production whenever it rains.
She added that her office will look into organizing the weavers, and help them link directly to markets in order to increase their profit.
The Vice President also visited the town of Sumisip to meet 20 out-of-school youth who will be given the chance to resume their studies and find job opportunities, through the OVP’s partnership with Dualtech Training Center Foundation.
The visits are in line with Angat Buhay, the OVP’s flagship anti-poverty program, which seeks to link poor communities with groups and individuals who wish to help address concerns on public education, healthcare, food security, rural development, women empowerment, and housing.
Before this, VP Leni was in Zamboanga City for a series of events, including an engagement with Yakan Tribe members who have resettled there, as well as a visit to Ayala Seafoods Corporation, the canning plant of Mega Global MFC, with which the OVP is eyeing a partnership under Angat Buhay. During the factory visit, the Vice President listened to the sentiments of some of the workers over the rising prices of basic commodities.
VP Leni said she chose to celebrate her second year in office this way, in keeping with her commitment to serving the public, especially those who are in need.
“Ito iyong pinangako ko noong ako ay kumakandidato, noong aking inauguration—na iyong core talaga na magiging programa ng Office of the Vice President, iyong pag-asikaso sa mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan,” she said. “And over the course of two years, iyon iyong ginawa natin.”
“Tingin ko iyong pinakamahalaga dito, hindi lang iyong pagtulong, pero pinapakita natin iyong kahalagahan ng collaboration, pinapakita natin iyong kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng iba’t ibang stakeholders—na aariin iyong obligasyon na tulungan iyong ating mga kababayan,” she added. “[H]indi dahilan iyong limitadong budget, hindi dahilan iyong limitasyon sa kapangyarihan. Basta gustong tumulong, parating may matutulungan.”
The Angat Buhay program is currently being implemented in 176 communities around the country. Under this, the OVP and its partners have extended more than P214-million worth of assistance to 132,018 families.