CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Vice-President Leni Robredo is planning to extend her office's anti-poverty program in Central Luzon provinces.
Robredo, who was in the province to attend the 30th anniversary of Talete King Panyulung Kapampangan Foundation, Inc. (TPKI) at Kingsborough International Convention Center on Friday, October 27, said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is looking for partners in Central Luzon, particularly in Pampanga, that can help them download projects under the "Angat Buhay" program.
"Angat Buhay" is the flagship and core advocacy in poverty alleviation of Robredo which aims to provide assistance to indigent and needy but deserving Filipinos.
The program is centered on ensuring communities’ access to universal health care, public education, housing and resettlement, nutrition and food security as well as promote women empowerment.
The OVP, Robredo said, acts as a conduit between communities that need help and private organizations wanting to help.
Robredo said that "Angat Buhay" is now supporting at least 150 communities all over the country with the help of several private companies and organizations.
However, Robredo said that only a few communities in Central Luzon benefit from the program due to lack of local partners and coordination.
"Kapag nakahanap kami ng partner sa Central Luzon ((If we are able to find a partner in Luzon), like TPKI, it will be an opportunity for us to be able to reach the poorest communities in Central Luzon. As of now kasi konti pa lang ang communities namin dito sa Central Luzon," she said.
For Pampanga, Robredo said that she is looking into implementing the "Angat Kabuhayan" --the livelihood arm of Angat Buhay -- which can provide employment and job opportunities to Kapampangans.
She noted that Pampanga has a lot of industries such as hotels, manufacturing and agriculture, among others and such orientation is a perfect match for Angat Kabuhayan's vision.
Under the program, jobless citizens will be given trainings, skills development and orientation by the OVP and will then be linked to industries they belong to, Robredo said.
"Sa dami ng industries dito sa Pampanga (There are a lot of industries here in Pampanga), I believe sila ang perfect location to implement Angat Kabuhayan because it is very ripe for it. Linkage na lang at kaunting trainings sa mga tao ang kailangan (Linkages and trainings are what the people need here)," she added.
Once there are identified partners who can help in the ground work, Robredo said that the "Angay Buhay" and "Angat Kabuhayan" is very much ready to provide assistance to Kapampangans.
