OVP continues to help indigents via Angat Buhay program

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1041000
• Wednesday, July 11, 2018

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor [With reports from Lyda Gail Suyu (OJT), PNA]

MANILA -- Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has sourced more than PHP250 million to benefit the poor through the Angat Buhay program.

In a press briefing in Quezon City, Robredo said the program was launched almost two years ago with the aim of "making the OVP a more relevant part of the government and a tool in helping the marginalized".

"We're able to gather...and provide help of almost PHP252 million, this covers six advocacy areas - public education, universal health care, world development, women empowerment, housing and resettlement...we also help in the relief and rehabilitation during disasters," she said in Filipino.

Robredo said through the program, the OVP was able to help 105,000 families nationwide in various ways.

"We started with 50 very poor communities, expanded to 176 poor communities but we thought of going nationwide...in June 2017, we started in Caloocan, circled nine areas in Manila and other places in Rizal," she said.

To provide inspiration for every Filipino nationwide, Robredo said her office launched "Istorya ng Pag-asa" in November 2016.

"This program gathers stories of ordinary Filipinos who have faced trials and they were able to overcome these trials, giving inspiration and hope to all of us," she said.

Robredo stressed that through the help of her staff and supporters, the OVP was able to reach out to many poor communities.

"Now, our aim in our last four years of service, we'll be able to reach more communities, help more families and coordinate with more organizations so more help could be provided through us," she said.