Office of Vice President awards program partners

CEBU, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte led the awarding ceremony yesterday in Cebu City of the 2024 Office of the Vice President Pasidungog.

The Pasidungog this year awarded over 900 individuals, institutions, and partners of the OVP in implementing various programs.

Now in its second year, the Pasidungog is a “celebration of collaboration, appreciation, and recognition of partners who have played a pivotal role in supporting the operations of the OVP.”

In her speech, Duterte said the long list of partners from different sectors and organizations show how grateful they are for everyone’s participation.

“The Office of the Vice President would have not have accomplished even half of what we have achieved without your trust in the integrity of the OVP, your dedication to public service, and your commitment to uplifting the lives of the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

The event further highlighted the awardees’ contributions in expanding the scope and enriching the socioeconomic programs of the OVP.

These programs, as explained by Duterte, is divided into two kinds of interventions by the OVP, the first being services that provide immediate help to citizens in distressing situations, and second are those that provide long-term solutions to social issues.

Duterte reported that one of the programs is the Medical Assistance Program, which is the top OVP social service program for Filipinos.

The medical program has reportedly reached 22,970 Filipinos in April 2023.

From May 2023 to April 2024, OVP’s Satellite Offices and OVP Central Office, Duterte said, focused on enhancing their efficiency to support more Filipinos needing medical assistance.

“As a result, by April 2024, we quadrupled our reach and assisted 119,234 individuals,” said the Vice President.

Among the LGU awardees was the Cebu City government, which was recognized by OVP as an esteemed partner in nation-building.

Duterte presented the plaque and certificate to suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, who was joined by Acting Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros, highlighting the unified leadership that has driven Cebu City’s successful collaborations with the OVP.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Cebu City government and our community partners. Together, we have made significant strides in providing crucial support to those in need and enhancing our city's resilience,” the plaque’s citation reads.

Meanwhile, Duterte reiterated her earlier announcement that her father and brothers are prepared to run for senate seats in the coming 2025 elections.

The vice president said that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Polong” Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, have told her that they are all ready to run for as senators in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

She also said that she does not have a national political party and is not even a member of the PDP, which her father belongs to. She stressed that she has a local political party based in Davao named Hugpong Pagbabago.