OVP to prioritize assistance in underserved areas

MANILA – The Office of the Vice President (OVP) will prioritize underserved areas alongside assistance to teachers nationwide.

"Hinahanap natin iyong mga underserved na areas doon sa iba't ibang satellite offices natin. Syempre nandyan pa rin iyong para sa kababaihan, para sa kabataan, at para sa LGBT (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender), and senior citizens natin (We are looking for the underserved areas in different various satellite offices. Of course, there's the [programs] for women, for the youth, for the LGBT, and our senior citizens," Vice President Sara Duterte said in a media interview on Thursday.

She said they are planning to launch another program called "Lawyers for Teachers" under OVP.

"Ngayon na hindi na hati ang oras ko sa dalawang opisina, iniisip namin na magbibigay kami, iyong hindi ko nagawa sa (Now that my time is no longer divided between two offices, we think we will give what I haven't done in the) Department of Education, the legal assistance for teachers," Duterte added.

In September 2023, Duterte entered into an agreement with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) to ensure the welfare and legal assistance to teachers serving during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The agreement covered teachers with election offenses or administrative charges through free access to PAO's free legal assistance, including counsel with no appearance fees.

Duterte also vowed to continue the existing OVP programs including Magnegosyo ta Day, Libreng Sakay (free rides) services, Pagbabago advocacy campaign, and other OVP programs launched during the time of former VP Noli de Castro, particularly the medical and burial assistance.

Duterte resigned as secretary of Education effective July 19. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Senator Sonny Angara to take the help of the Department of Education.

She also resigned from her position as the vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The Vice President, meanwhile, said one of the officials who resigned from DepEd will join her in the OVP.

"Mayroong isang assistant secretary na sasama siya sa akin sa Office of the Vice President. Magkasama kami sa trabaho (One of the assistant secretaries will join me in the OVP. We've been working together) since 2007," she said, without naming the assistant secretary.

Earlier, five DepEd officials tendered their resignations. They are Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa, Undersecretary for Administration Nolasco Mempin, Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda, Assistant Secretary for Procurement Reynold Munsayac, and Assistant Secretary for Administration Noel Baluyan. (PNA)