13 October 2017

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday welcomed her rise in a recent survey, saying she is glad for the affirmation these give to her office’s initiatives to help poor communities around the country.

“Oo naman, happy [ako] with the rise [in surveys],” she told reporters in an interview at St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City. “Gustong sabihin, nararamdaman ng tao iyong ating ginagawa. Gustong sabihin, parang accepted ng tao iyong kabutihan na ginagawa natin, despite the very limited resources of our office.”

VP Leni credits this development to the public’s perception of her office’s work to assist communities in need. Angat Buhay, the OVP’s flagship program, marks its first anniversary this month, having reached a total of 83,707 families in 153 communities, mostly through the help of private partners.

“Iyong pagtaas sa survey, tinitingnan namin siya na nararamdaman na ng tao [iyong programa]… [M]alaking bagay din na nararamdaman na, kasi lalong nagbibigay sa amin ito ng lakas at inspirasyon na lalong pagbutihin at lalong palawakin iyong ating ginagawa,” she added.

While surveys serve as a “barometer” for public policies and programs, the Vice President still underscored the importance of sticking to right choices—even those that are unpopular. “[S]a amin kasi, while importante iyong surveys, there are also times when doing the right thing is not equivalent to doing what is popular, kaya we try not to be ruled by surveys also,” she said.

“[D]apat ang parating measure ay what is right—if you’re doing what is right. So itong surveys, mahalaga lang siya para mararamdaman mo iyong pulso ng bayan,” she added.