Vice President Duterte Announces Over P1 Billion in Medical Aid Disbursed to Filipino Families
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte reported that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has disbursed more than PHP1 billion in medical assistance to approximately 22,970 Filipino families, impacting around 119,234 individuals across the nation from May 2023 to April 2024. This announcement was made during the ‘Pasidungog’ event at the Radisson Blu Hotel, which celebrated the contributions of various organizations to public service.
According to Philippines News Agency, the event recognized both government and non-government organizations that have assisted the OVP in enhancing the delivery of public services. During her speech, she expressed gratitude to partner hospitals and social service providers who have been instrumental in the successful implementation of the OVP’s medical assistance program. Additionally, Duterte highlighted the significant increase in burial assistance provided by the OVP, amounting to PHP150.5 million for 30,120 families nationwide within the same period, a substantial rise from the previous year’s PHP30.8 million for 6,175 families.
The Vice President also touched on the OVP’s engagement with civil society, mentioning that 12 organizations with 26,000 members participated in the “Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day” entrepreneurship program. She emphasized the OVP’s commitment to fostering livelihood opportunities as a means of national development, quoting, “Development begins with an individual’s decision to become a useful citizen. For those who want to become productive and to help themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Furthermore, Duterte discussed the OVP’s free ride program, in partnership with three bus companies, which has benefitted 735,202 Filipinos from May 2023 to May 2024. The initiative aimed to alleviate transportation costs for students and workers in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao.
The Vice President’s report also covered the OVP’s disaster relief efforts, detailing 92 operations that aided 205,692 families with the distribution of 39,138 relief bags and 15,000 food bags, totaling PHP6.1 million in aid from May 2023 to April 2024. Additionally, the OVP distributed 22,311 food bags through its Rice Program and contributed to educational support and environmental sustainability through the “Pagbabago” campaign and tree planting initiatives.
Concluding her comprehensive report, Vice President Duterte stated that approximately PHP2.260 billion, or 92.3% of the allocated PHP2.448 billion for the fiscal year 2023, was utilized to support various socio-economic services and operations under the OVP.