DAGUPAN CITY—Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo visited this city last Saturday to launch the government’s anti-poverty alleviation program.
This was Robredo’s first visit to Pangasinan after her assumption as the second highest public official of the land.
Dubbed “Angat Buhay,” the program advocates the delivery of adequate and effective anti-poverty programs to families and communities in partnership with national government agencies, private and non-government organizations.
“Mula sa pagkapanalo natin bilang pangalawang Pangulo ay tinitignan na natin kung ano ang magagandang gawin para sa mahihirap… pagpatuloy ng programa nang ako ay Congresswoman pa,” the Vice President said.
She said even without much budget or funding from the Office of the Vice President, this did not pose a problem, as a lot of private companies were willing to help.
“Kahit walang budget, hindi problema ‘yung walang budget dahil napakarami sa pribado na gustong tumulong. Ginagawa natin ang sarili natin na tulay, tulay mula sa pribado papunta sa mahihirap para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan,” she added.
Three of the anti-poverty programs launched in the city during Robredo’s visit include the feeding program of Day Care Children sponsored by the Inner Wheel Club of the Philippines; storybooks donation to the Day Care Centers of the city sponsored by the Canvass Philippines; and the wellness program for the senior citizens of the city sponsored by the Seaoil Foundation.
Aside from providing free medicines for senior citizens in upcoming medical missions, Robredo promised a Community Rehabilitation Program in partnership with therapists and rehab doctors to help senior citizens with arthritis, body pains and stroke survivors.
“Mahalaga na may mga sustainable programs tayo. Magtatagumpay ang mga proyekto kung magtutulong-tulong tayong lahat,” Robredo said at the Carael Elementary School.
Dagupan was among the 50 local government units in the whole country chosen as pilot areas for the program.
Robredo said the pilot areas are chosen from among those whose local chief executives are pro-active and open to partnerships.
Mayor Belen Fernandez said the city is lucky to be chosen as one of the pilot cities for the Angat Buhay program when she was invited in a gathering in Manila.
“Ang Dagupan City ay nakatanggap ng 17 pledges mula sa mga kumpanyang nais tumulong. Unti-unti parating sila sa ating siyudad, tutulong sa mga sumisigay, farmers at mga nanay,” Fernandez said.
Cornelia Espanol, president of the Office of Senior Citizens Affair (OSCA) of Dagupan City, said the senior citizens were delighted for the programs that Robredo announced for them.
“The Angat Buhay program will go a long way to help the senior citizens of Dagupan maintain a well-meaning and productive aging society who will be given a full capacity to nation-building,” Espanyol said.