2017/2018
Annual Report OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
2017/2018
Annual Report OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Message from VP Leni Robredo In the last two years, the Office of the Vice President has worked towards uplifting the lives of the Filipino people, especially for the pamilya sa laylayan. From the very beginning, we wanted to be faithful to our promise: and so we went to the farthest, smallest, and poorest communities, and opened our doors to those who needed help the most. We strove to do our best to bring our office to the margins, where our people need us.
behind the hard work that we do. For every child that gets an education, one family can rise from poverty. For every farmer who receives seedlings and resources, an entire community can eat better. For each barangay that is supplied with water and electricity, one province can stand proud with higher productivity. For every family we reach out to, we are improving the lives of an entire community.
This book tells the story of our people. This is the story of a mother who, despite losing her home and her livelihood to the rummages of war, found a way to provide for her children and overcame the greatest odds. This is the story of the child who used to cross rivers and walk up mountains just to get to class, but now is able to study better, thanks to the dorms provided by our partners. This is the story of a hardworking farmer toiling in his land, from sunrise to sunset, who is now discovering the potential of his produce by reaching bigger markets. This is the story of every Filipino family, thriving even in the face of the greatest of odds. More than anything, this book tells us a story of hope. These stories inspire us and is the reason
Many have asked what we have been doing, and so we will let this book do the talking. May these stories show you the extent and depth of our work for the past two years. Angat Buhay is not just our fight against poverty and Istorya ng Pag-asa is not just our fight against the negativity around us. This is our fight for life in a time of killings, our fight for unity in a time of division, and our fight for hope in a time of hopelessness. This is our way of showing the Filipino people that to us, every human life is valuable and every chance to preserve it counts. Anumang hamon ang dala ng panahong ito, tapat tayo sa ating sinumpaang pangako: na tuldukan ang kahirapan at iangat ang bawat Pilipino mula sa kahirapan. Tuloy ang ating laban at pagbabayanihan para sa kaunlaran.
MESSAGE FROM VP LENI ROBREDO
iii
Introduction
TO T H E O F F I C E O F T H E V I C E P R E S I D E N T
Upon being elected to the post, VP Leni shifted the strategic position of the Office of the Vice President from merely being a “spare tire” and performing largely ceremonial functions to become a more advocacy-centric agency that aims to reach Filipinos who are in the peripheries. Angat Buhay was conceptualized as OVP’s flagship antipoverty program. Angat Buhay aims to create strategic convergence among local governments, civil society, the business sector, and the academe in the fight against poverty. The program has made great strides since its inception, providing quality service in adopted areas that spans from healthcare to education, housing and resettlement to people empowerment, creating opportunities for livelihood to addressing the jobs-skills mismatch. Aside from this, various modes of engagements are also in place to reach more sectors, such as women, the youth, and the urban poor.
iv
Another program of the OVP, Istorya ng Pag-asa, aims to change the existing national discourse during these tumultuous times, shifting from stories that divide us to stories that shed light and hope. Since the launch of the program, we have met hundreds of ordinary Filipinos with extraordinary strength and resolve. Aside from programs that would benefit the Filipino people, OVP has also been strengthening its internal structures, to exemplify convergence and meaningful transformation. VP Leni led her management team in rolling out strategic initiatives to professionalize the OVP, as well as in capacitating its staff to take a more active role in the organization. The goal of the OVP is not only to deliver transformative social impact by the end of VP Leni’s term, but to institutionalize a culture of governance that would continue throughout succeeding administrations.
INTRODUCTION TO THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
M A N DAT E As the second highest office in the land committed to the service of the nation, the Office of the Vice President performs executive, ceremonial, and advocacy functions, collaborating with stakeholders and organizations in both the public and private sectors, to develop and promote programs that uplift the lives of the Filipino people. MISSION The Office of the Vice President serves as a convergence platform for engaging citizens in nation-building, promoting the principles of democracy, and empowering communities in the fight against poverty. VISION Uplifting the lives and protecting the liberty of the Filipino people, especially the marginalized.
v
contents 8
I N S T I T U T I O N A L I ZI N G R E F O R M S I N OV P
18
A N G AT B U H AY
68
I S TO RYA N G PAG -A S A
Institutionalizing Reforms in OVP
Since Day 1, VP Leni has emphasized the importance of establishing effective internal systems, enhancing personnel competency, and empowering existing and potential leaders within the Office of the Vice President. The office’s efforts and initiatives to provide services to the people would be difficult to sustain if organizational proficiency and strength are not addressed. Hence, strengthening internal mechanisms was among VP Leni’s marching orders from the very beginning. Working towards this agenda, the OVP strove to build a quality management system that would be at par with the international standards under ISO 9001:2015. While most agencies focused on transitioning from the 2008 to 2015 version, the OVP started from scratch, covering both internal and external processes. The road to achieve the goal proved long and arduous, but it was the collective commitment of the organization that led to the fulfilment of our dream: that our services will satisfy our stakeholders’ needs, comply with applicable legal requirements, and continuously improve in the work that we do. On December 2017, a panel of auditors affirmed our commitment and the OVP 10
PAV I N G T H E OV P L EG AC Y:
From Compliance to Good Governance received its certification. A year after, existing systems have been improved and new ones have been implemented to streamline processes, even gaining recognition and praise during the surveillance audit held last November 2018. Among others, we have leveraged IT solutions to improve document and human resource information management. Internal fiscal measures were instituted to ensure strategy-based and responsible budget execution. The organization is likewise transitioning to a competency-based human resource framework with the intention of rationalizing staff responsibilities together with providing support for addressing competency gaps. These undertakings were done, not only for the benefit of streamlining processes and effectively responding to the needs of OVP staff. All of these efforts are meant to redound tenfold to the Filipino people, as we strive for even better public service, leaving behind a legacy of good governance.
INSTITUTIONALIZING REFORMS IN OVP
11
12
Embodying excellence TOWA R D S A N A DVO C AC Y- O R I E N T E D OV P As it shifts from primarily a ceremonial to a more advocacy-oriented organization, the Office of the Vice President endeavors to serve as a convergence platform for engaging citizens in nation-building, promoting the principles of democracy, and empowering communities in the fight against poverty. To support this restatement of the agency’s mission, there is a need to assess the current state of its human resource management system and transition it to become competency-based. This entails the assessment of the existing human resource system vis-à-vis the aspired level of knowledge, skills and attitudes of OVP employees across all units. Director Jennifer Tan of the Administrative Financial Services Office explains that such an assessment based on the requirements of the expected level of work to be done would enable the office to identify interventions to address any human resource gaps. Towards the development of this framework, the OVP conducted a series of seminars and write-shops where the Human Resource Management Unit (HRMU) facilitated the rewriting of job descriptions for all positions in the OVP. Concurrently, the HRMU facilitated the identification of the organization’s core and functional competencies. Core competencies are those that everyone in the agency, regardless of level, must be able to practice while functional competencies are those particularly applicable to each position’s job description. The HRMU is confident that the competency development model of the OVP will serve as a building block for the professionalization of the OVP workforce. This will be the foundation for supporting the entire human resource life cycle, strengthening learning and development interventions within the organization, and ultimately matching the right people for the right jobs to ensure enhanced delivery of efficient and quality public service. INSTITUTIONALIZING REFORMS IN OVP
13
Professionalizing the Bids and Awards Committee “Government procurement is slow and inefficient.” This is a widely-shared sentiment across government agencies, suppliers, and the general public. For the Office of the Vice President, however, this is seen as a call to action – a challenge to change public perception by ensuring that government procurement is transparent, competitive and non-bureaucratic. To achieve this, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and the Procurement Unit embarked on a journey to professionalize the OVP Procurement Management Section. Under the leadership of Assistant Secretary Sofia C. Yanto-Abad, a comprehensive program was launched with the aim of establishing the OVP as a model procuring entity for government agencies.
14
Immediately after its reconstitution, members of the BAC Technical Working Group (TWG) and Secretariat attended the first level of the Public Procurement Specialist Certification Course, forming the largest group from a single agency in their batch. Kelvin Teñido, a graduate of the course, explains the change in his perspective:
“Public bidding is a manageable aspect of procurement, to study it is not an extra burden.” Asked about the management, he added that he was amazed and thankful for its determination to improve procurement process inside OVP and putting trust in its employees who will be part of BAC. To ensure that their learnings were shared with the rest of the OVP,
INSTITUTIONALIZING REFORMS IN OVP
the graduates organized an executive briefing for the Top Management and a two-day knowledge-transfer workshop for representatives from each division. Moving forward, refresher workshops and procurement summits with prospective suppliers will also be conducted to decrease the incidence of bidding failures and improve the competitive process. To improve the overall experience of requesting units, internal processes were also reviewed and revised accordingly. While the procurement process is not yet perfect, the past two years have shown great improvement as a result of strong leadership commitment and active staff participation. Systems for continuous improvement have been established and are continually being refined to adapt to emerging circumstances.
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16
Instilling servant, shared and strategic leadership Towards the end of 2017, a selection and vetting process was conducted to identify 24 junior leaders from different units of the Office of the Vice President who would undergo the pilot run of the Junior Leadership Development Program (JLDP). With the primary purpose of developing the OVP’s human capital and training its future leaders, the JLDP is designed as a capacity building and executive coaching program for developing the skills of high-potential young leaders in the OVP, as well as the mentoring skills of their immediate supervisors. The program aims to embed mentoring and coaching in the organization’s culture to ensure the sustainability of reforms and the cultivation of a high-performance culture through teamwork.
Missy Coso and Jeff Villamin, participants of the pilot run of the JLDP, described the program as an enabling process where the participants learned to exercise a balance of reflection and action in setting personal and professional goals, which they helped each other achieve, under the concept of collective leadership and big picture-thinking. JLDP participants led several projects with the overarching objective of improving the delivery of external and internal services and operations of the OVP, using the framework of Angat Buhay. This includes projects that: (1) disseminate information about Angat Buhay to OVP staff; (2) conduct livelihood programs for OVP staff to help them improve their personal lives; (3) provide an avenue for employees to spread positivity by recognizing good work and acts of kindness by co-workers; (4) acknowledge OVP staff who go above and beyond their regular duties to participate in Angat Buhay activities; (5) develop a tool to provide timely updates to end-users on procurement matters; and (6) publicize Angat Buhay in marginalized communities through information materials translated in Filipino.
We believe that serving our country is both an honor and a privilege, not a source of entitlement. SERVANT LE ADERSHIP
We achieve our aspirations for our country when leadership and power are shared with the people. SHARED LE ADERSHIP
We act with transparency, accountability and integrity to deliver transformative results. STRATEGIC LE ADERSHIP
As part of their culminating activity, JLDP graduates organized a program that aims to cascade and instill the OVP core values of servant, shared and strategic leadership to all OVP personnel. At its core, the JLDP fostered a group of people who take the initiative in their roles and are not content with merely doing the assigned task but are more proactive about trying out new ideas and concepts. Now that they have graduated from the JLDP, Missy and Jeff, together with their fellow graduates, continue to apply the important lessons they have learned. They are excited for the next run of the JLDP, so that more can be inspired to serve as catalysts for change, who inspires others to follow their lead.
INSTITUTIONALIZING REFORMS IN OVP
17
KEY ADVOCACY AREAS
Ensuring that poor families have access to nutritious food and nutrition education and are equipped with simple farming techniques for community and household consumption
The OVP reaches out to these areas by working with partners in providing interventions and mobilizing support through six key advocacy areas: food security and nutrition, universal healthcare, public education, rural development, housing and resettlement, and women empowerment. The OVP also believes that there is no single way to solve poverty in a community. For this reason, the OVP capacitates key sectors—youth, women, urban poor, disaster-affected families, and other grassroot stakeholders—by partnering with them in various modes of engagement, to help our countrymen respond to poverty in their communities.
20
IV
R
E
N
U
is the contribution of the Office of the Vice President to the fight against poverty. It brings together the public and the private sectors—organizations and individuals alike—to address the needs of families in the farthest and the poorest communities.
ER
S A L H E A LT H
CA
Improving maternal and child health care and providing assistance to the elderly and persons with disability
Improving the income of poor families by providing them access to assets and opening opportunities for inclusive supply chains
Providing access to learning opportunities and quality public education for school-age children, both in school and out of school
Enabling women and men to actively participate in economic, social, and political activities in their communities, as they work toward becoming more self-reliant
Building full-functioning and disasterresilient communities in which the poor have access to basic social services and utilities
MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation Enabling communities to cope with the effects of calamities and become disaster-resilient through the provision of immediate assistance, as well as the conduct of early recovery, rehabilitation, and disaster preparedness activities AB Youth Capacitating youth organizations to effectively develop and implement advocacy projects in their localities through leadership development, regional summits, youth exchanges, engagement programs, and various partnerships AB Women Investing in the capacity of women to actively participate in economic, social, and political activities in their communities, as they work toward becoming self-reliant
Metro Laylayan Delivering a wide array of social services directly to urban poor communities including livelihood assistance, employment opportunities, and free medical and legal consultations, among other services
A S O F S E P T E M B E R 201 8 , A N G AT B U H AY has partnered with more than
250
organizations mobilizing a total of
â‚ą271,088,487 worth of resources, for more than
338,426 beneficiaries in
176
cities and municipalities all over the country.
In 2018, Angat Buhay sought to deepen its impact in more communities and create models of holistic change that will set an example for other areas. 21
luzon REGION I
REGION V
R E G I O N I V-A
38
Daraga, Albay
39
Rapu-Rapu, Albay
40
Tabaco, Albay
41
Tiwi, Albay
42
Bombon, Camarines Sur
1
Candon, Ilocos Sur
17
Lipa City, Batangas
43
Buhi, Camarines Sur
2
Dagupan City, Pangasinan
18
Mabini, Batangas
44
Bula, Camarines Sur
19
Taysan, Batangas
45
Calabanga, Camarines Sur
20
Tingloy, Batangas
46
Camaligan, Camarines Sur
CAR 3
San Isidro, Abra
21
Calauan, Laguna
47
Canaman, Camarines Sur
4
Baguio City, Benguet
22
Nagcarlan, Laguna
48
Goa, Camarines Sur
5
Tuba, Benguet
23
Alabat, Quezon
49
Iriga City, Camarines Sur
6
Kiangan, Ifugao
24
Atimonan, Quezon
50
Magarao, Camarines Sur
7
Tinoc, Ifugao
25
Infanta, Quezon
51
Milaor, Camarines Sur
26
Mulanay, Quezon
52
Minalabac, Camarines Sur
27
San Andres, Quezon
53
Naga City, Camarines Sur
28
San Francisco, Quezon
54
Ocampo, Camarines Sur
29
San Narciso, Quezon
55
Pamplona, Camarines Sur
56
Pasacao, Camarines Sur
57
Pili, Camarines Sur
58
Sagñay, Camarines Sur
REGION II 8
Peñablanca, Cagayan
9
Cabagan, Isabela
REGION III 10
Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan
R E G I O N I V- B 30
Boac, Marinduque
11
Malolos, Bulacan
31
Santa Cruz, Marinduque
59
Siruma, Camarines Sur
12
Meycauayan, Bulacan
32
Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
60
Tigaon, Camarines Sur
13
San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan
33
Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro
61
Tinambac, Camarines Sur
14
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
34
Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro
62
Baras, Catanduanes
15
San Fernando City, Pampanga
35
Pola, Oriental Mindoro
63
Bato, Catanduanes
16
Victoria, Tarlac
36
Agutaya, Palawan
64
San Andres, Catanduanes
37
Culion, Palawan
65
Cataingan, Masbate
66
San Fernando, Masbate
67
Bulan, Sorsogon
68
Pilar, Sorsogon
22
A N G AT B U H AY A R E A S
METRO MANIL A 69
Caloocan City
70
Makati City
71
Malabon City
72
Mandaluyong City
73
Manila City
74
Marikina City
75
Muntinlupa City
76
Navotas City
77
ParaĂąaque City
78
Pasay City
79
Pateros
80
Quezon City
81
Taguig City
visayas
24
REGION VI
REGION VII
82
Roxas City, Capiz
92
Inabanga, Bohol
83
Anilao, Iloilo
93
Maribojoc, Bohol
84
DueĂąas, Iloilo
94
Panglao, Bohol
85
Gumbal, Iloilo
95
Argao, Cebu
86
Iloilo City, Iloilo
96
Bantayan, Cebu
87
Lambunao, Iloilo
97
Bogo City, Cebu
88
Miag-ao, Iloilo
98
Carcar City, Cebu
89
Oton, Iloilo
99
Catmon, Cebu
90
San Joaquin, Iloilo
100
Cebu City, Cebu
91
Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental
101
City of Naga, Cebu
102
Dalaguete, Cebu
103
Danao City, Cebu
104
San Francisco, Cebu
105
San Remigio, Cebu
106
Tabuelan, Cebu
107
Talisay City, Cebu
REGION VIII
108
Tuburan, Cebu
109
Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
112
Baybay City, Leyte
110
Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental
113
Leyte, Leyte
111
Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental
114
Balangkayan, Eastern Samar
115
Hernani, Eastern Samar
116
Quinapondan, Eastern Samar
117
Salcedo, Eastern Samar
118
Gandara, Samar
A N G AT B U H AY A R E A S
25
REGION IX
REGION XI
ARMM
119
Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte
138
Montevista, Compostela Valley
154
Isabela City, Basilan
120
Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte
139
New Bataan, Compostela Valley
155
Lamitan City, Basilan
121
Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur
140
Davao City, Davao del Sur
156
Maluso, Basilan
122
Dumingag City, Zamboanga del Sur
123
Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
124
Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
141
125
Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay
REGION X 126
Lantapan, Bukidnon
127
Malaybalay, Bukidnon
157
Sumisip, Basilan
158
Balabagan, Lanao del Sur
Alamada, Cotabato
159
Balindong, Lanao del Sur
142
Kabacan, Cotabato
160
Binidayan, Lanao del Sur
REGION XII
143
Midsayap, Cotabato
161
Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur
144
General Santos City, South Cotabato
162
Bubong, Lanao del Sur
145
Tampakan, South Cotabato
163
Kapai, Lanao del Sur
164
Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur
C A R AG A
128
Malitbog, Bukidnon
165
Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur
129
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
146
Santiago, Agusan del Norte
166
Maguing, Lanao del Sur
130
Sumilao, Bukidnon
147
Loreto, Agusan del Sur
167
Malabang, Lanao del Sur
131
Talakag, Bukidnon
148
Veruela, Agusan del Sur
168
Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
132
Bacolod, Lanao del Norte
149
Loreto, Dinagat Islands
169
Piagapo, Lanao del Sur
Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte
133
Balo-i, Lanao del Norte
150
170
Picong, Lanao del Sur
134
Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte
151
General Luna, Surigao del Norte
171
Pualas, Lanao del Sur
135
Tangcal, Lanao del Norte
152
San Francisco, Surigao del Norte
172
Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur
136
Alubijid, Misamis Oriental
153
Surigao City, Surigao del Sur
173
Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur
137
Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
174
Tubaran, Lanao del Sur
175
Matanog, Maguindanao
176
South Upi, Maguindanao
mindanao 26
A N G AT B U H AY A R E A S
27
28
MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
OVP Public Assistance Interventions Among the programs of the Office of the Vice President, the Medical and Burial Assistance has been a staple service provided to indigent Filipinos from different parts of the country. The OVP has taken great effort to ensure a better experience for clients, as well as to improve the scope and quality of the assistance provided. For one, the process of seeking medical assistance was made easier. Before, clients had to line up outside the premises of the building and wait until their number was called. Now, clients queue in a comfortable air-conditioned area, where seats, snacks, and coffee are provided. For the convenience of clients who have disabilities, the interview and processing area was moved near the waiting area.
As of September 2018, the program has benefitted
11,360
individuals
through the Office-Based assistance and
5,965
individuals
through partner hospitals
The scope of the service has also expanded, as the OVP established partnerships with the Philippine General Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, and the National Kidney Transplant Institute, to cater to clients undergoing treatment in those hospitals. In a consultation with some clients who were able to compare the current process, they said the procedure works better than before, because it accommodates their needs faster and more efficiently, citing minimal delays and great customer service overall.
A N G AT B U H AY
29
MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
Bridging Leadership Program Key to the work of poverty alleviation are empowered local leaders who can rally stakeholders towards a common vision and shared goals. Recognizing this, the Office of the Vice President partnered with SEAOIL Foundation, Inc. (SFI) to develop and implement the Bridging Leadership (BL) Program for local government units that are part of Angat Buhay. Through the Bridging Leadership Program, local chief executives are trained to have a deeper understanding of critical issues affecting their community, and are equipped with the skills and knowledge that enable them to develop appropriate solutions to address these issues. The program also hopes to serve as a platform for progressive local leaders to mobilize support from a wider set of stakeholders, in order to achieve their vision for their community. 30
A N G AT B U H AY
One of the local chief executives participating in the program is Mayor Jose Antonio Villo from Sumilao, Bukidnon. Sumilao is one of the first 50 areas identified by Angat Buhay, where some students would walk eight kilometers every day to get to class—a huge factor that affected the attendance rate of the students in the area. Seeing this challenge, Mayor Villo decided to look for ways to respond to the issue. He began improving the education infrastructure by constructing classrooms and dormitories, in order to provide a conducive learning environment for students. Aside from these projects, the Bridging Leadership Program was able to connect Mayor Villo to partners who can help him in addressing the technical challenges of education, such as crafting learning
modules and improving teaching methods for modern learners, and making the Local School Board function effectively. Like Mayor Villo, 33 other local chief executives are working towards a better future for their community with the help of the Bridging Leadership Program. To recognize their efforts, SFI, in partnership with OVP, launched the Angat Buhay Bridging Leadership Awards, which will grant outstanding local chief executives with monetary prizes for their performance in living out the Bridging Leadership framework. This fund will also help augment the program that the winning LGUs have initiated. The awarding ceremonies will be held in February 2019, as part of the culminating activity of the Bridging Leadership Program.
BRIDGING LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
31
AB YOUTH MINDANAO SUMMIT
32
MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
In its continuous effort to empower and engage the youth to participate in nationbuilding, the Office of the Vice President launched Angat Buhay Youth in August 2017. The first summit was attended by youth groups from all over the country, which served as a breeding ground of ideas, where young leaders pitched proposals for sustainable community development projects for their respective areas. Since then, Angat Buhay Youth has been providing a platform for young leaders to share their ideas with their peers. Following the overwhelming success of last year’s summit, Angat Buhay Youth was brought to the regions, starting with Mindanao and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. In July 2018, Angat Buhay Youth – Mindanao kicked off in Cagayan de Oro, with 30 participating youth organizations. With the theme “Building a Culture of Peace,” the goal was to pitch community-based projects and peacebuilding initiatives that would promote development and growth in the region. The participants underwent workshops to better design, market, implement, and sustain their projects towards countering violent extremism.
From the pool of participants, 10 winning groups were given seed grants, funded by the US Embassy through its Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Program (YSEALI). The group that stood out was the Youth for Peace Movement Davao Oriental, with their project called Bal’lay Duwaan. Dubbed as a “happy home for the sons and daughters of New Peace Advocates,” it is a transition shelter that aims to aid the reintegration of the children of former rebels in Davao Oriental. Aside from providing shelter, the hub will also have a communal vegetable garden, a learning center, and a recreational area. For the group, their goal is to help in the healing process of the children of former rebels, and prepare them for reintegration into mainstream society, together with their reformed parents. As the top winner of the summit, Youth for Peace Movement Davao Oriental was also given a chance to pitch their project in a youth congress in South Korea, where they received additional funding. Now, implementation of Bal’lay Duwaan is already ongoing, where they are offering psycho-social intervention and play therapy for the children. By early 2019, they expect the construction of the “happy home” to be complete. A N G AT B U H AY
33
AB YOUTH ARMM SUMMIT
In October 2018, Angat Buhay Youth – ARMM was held in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, where 30 youth organizations from the region participated in the project pitch. The participants proposed different projects, from providing help for children traumatized by the Marawi siege to conducting a basic seminar on agriculture and business for out-of-school youth in their areas. The winner, Okir University Arts Club from Lanao del Sur, proposed “Teaching Artistry Learning Advocacy” or TALA, an art therapy workshop for children, aged 7 to 13, who survived the siege in Marawi City. Like previous winners, the group will also be going to South Korea in August 2019 to participate in the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange. 34
A N G AT B U H AY
The top ten, including the Okir University Arts Club, received seed funds from the US Embassy’s small grants program. Inspired by the youth’s ingenuity and passion for their advocacies, ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman likewise gave funding to the rest of the organizations who participated in the summit. More than taking part in sparking these social movements, our youth today have become the faces of hope for a brighter, more inclusive future. By empowering them to be more active in our society today, we can see in the horizon a more promising future for generations to come.
AB YOUTH ARMM SUMMIT
35
WORKSHOP FOR ASPIRING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
36
MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
which they were able to apply in real-life situations through specialized interactive workshops.
The Office of the Vice President believes that enabling women to actively participate in their communities means to empower them economically, socially, and politically. In line with this, the Angat Buhay Women’s Workshop for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs (AB WAWE) was launched. The program aims to expand opportunities for Filipino women to become self-reliant despite the challenges they encounter. The first batch of participants came from various parts of Mindanao: Sumilao in Bukidnon, Marawi City and Tangcal in Lanao del Sur, Siayan in Zamboanga del Norte, Lamitan and Sumisip in Basilan, and Zamboanga City. The training focused on teaching the women about the basic competencies they need to run their businesses,
The Most Innovative Business Idea award went to Maribel Otto of Siayan, who used corn husks to create home décor. The Best Business Proposal awardee, Saripia Diragon of Tangcal, focused on how to strategically market organic vegetables, serving as an example for others to go the organic way. The Best Presenter award went to Rosalia Anliston of Sumilao, who dabbled in beadwork, creating intricate designs that reflected the beautiful ethnic culture of their tribes. Asked what they learned, Rosalia’s message to fellow women is an advice every aspiring woman entrepreneur should hear:
“When you grab an opportunity to pursue a project, think positive. Always pray, be confident and think positive that you will achieve what you would like to accomplish. Women can do it. We can change our lives for the better.”
All 30 participants received a seed grant from SEAOIL Foundation, Inc. and Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran (SPARK! Philippines). For six months, they will be supervised: from crafting a business plan until its execution, and eventually, its expansion. There will also be site visits and a follow-through summit to assess the progress of their businesses, and to enable participants to network and share their experience with their peers. Aside from AB WAWE, the OVP is also engaged in the Angat Bayi Political Empowerment Fellowship Program, funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Philippines and the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies. Through this program, we are ensuring that Filipinas who hold positions in local politics are inspired to govern and are encouraged to create meaningful change for their constituents. By helping Filipinas thrive and providing them a seat at the table, we are building a more inclusive society for generations to come.
A N G AT B U H AY
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MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
Metro Laylayan is one of Angat Buhay’s mode of engagements with the urban poor, which aims to deliver a wide array of social services to their communities. Since its launch in June 2017, ten cities and municipalities have been visited, providing services and livelihood assistance to over 10,000 individuals.
One of the families who have benefited from the program is the Baal family of Parañaque City. Tatay Rodelio drives a pedicab for a living, while his wife Mary Jane stays at home because she was incapacitated from a stroke while pregnant with their fifth child, Mary Joy. A family of eight, they live in a small 38
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housing compound with the other employees of the junk shop where Rodelio is also employed. When Mary Joy turned a year old, they noticed that her walk was different. She was later diagnosed with clubfoot, which made moving difficult. With the help of Angat Buhay partners Philippine Association of Pharmacists in the Pharmaceutical Industries (PAPPI), Democratic Alliance Movement PhilippinesInternational (DAMPI), and Alitaptap, Metro Laylayan gave the Baal family a seed capital of P10,000 to start their own business at home, as well as groceries and hygiene kits. Medical assistance was also provided to Mary Jane and Mary Joy to address their health conditions. To celebrate the Metro Laylayan’s successful year, the Metro Laylayan Anniversary brought together the families that VP Leni met and visited in their homes from each respective city, along with representatives of local government units, and all Angat Buhay partners that contributed to Metro Laylayan’s achievements thus far.
14,680
beneficiaries
10
metropolitan cities CALOOCAN June 2017 PATEROS June 2017 MALABON July 2017 NAVOTAS Aug 2017 PASAY Sept 2017 MARIKINA Dec 2017 MUNTINLUPA Jan 2018 PARAÑAQUE Feb 2018 TANAY June 2018 MANILA Nov 2018
METRO LAYLAYAN CALOOCAN
39
MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
The miners of the Lower Gomok Consumer Cooperative were left at a loss when a landslide hit Level 070 of Barangay Ucab, Itogon, Benguet in September 2018. The cooperative was left scrambling, not only in search of lost comrades, but for a new means of livelihood. Following the tragedy, mining operations were suspended in the area, as backhoes and rescuers continued to look for possible survivors. It was all too sudden for the miners, leaving them to wonder what was next for them. Thinking about this brought Daniel Bolhayon to tears. As manager of the cooperative, he is left to herd his fellow miners after the landslide claimed their colleagues, including the cooperative’s president. It was difficult, he said, to realize that they have lost their friends, their homes, and even their dreams of sending their children to college. Knowing of these hardships, VP Leni visited the miners and their families, where she personally heard their concerns and worries. Keen on giving help that is sustainable, the Vice President pledged that her office would support the miners as they find a new source of livelihood. In turn, the miners agreed to pool the P600,000 livelihood assistance given by the Office of the Vice President, and make it part of funds that they will use to put up a grocery store. For Daniel and the miners at Brgy. Ucab, this amount became the seed for new aspirations for themselves and their families. 40
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Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation
RELIEF OPERATIONS IN ITOGON, BENGUET
41
PRENCE LEYSA
42
STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Lambunao, Iloilo
Prence Leysa, the youngest of four siblings, was born with a cleft palate. When he was four months old, Prence was severely underweight; his arms were too thin that it was almost impossible for the health workers to immunize him. Growing up, Prence could barely walk, there was almost no hair on his head and body, and he had rashes all over. His mother abandoned Prence and his siblings, leaving them to Genevie, their aunt, who adopted them instead. Genevie and her husband Rolando scramble to feed and raise all of their seven children, including Prence. Prence is one of the 751 severely wasted children identified in Lambunao, Iloilo who benefited from the supplementary feeding program by the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC). When
Prence was first brought to the health center, he weighed 8.9 kilos. After a month of regular feeding under the program, he steadily gained weight and has reached 11.1 kilos, enough for him to be considered normal based on nutrition standards. Now, Prence can freely walk and play with kids his age. This 2018, the NVC has conducted the second run of the feeding program, covering 150 severely wasted and stunted children, with ages 6 to 36 months, from all the barangays in Lambunao. Another Angat Buhay partner, Hapag-Asa, will also be conducting a nutrition program to a different group of malnourished children in the area. The goal is for more children to grow in healthier environments, where their most basic needs, such are nutrition, are accounted for.
â‚ą23,624,819 worth of resources for nutrition programs, capacity building activities, construction of play gardens benefitting
22 areas
Argao, Cebu Calauan, Laguna Culion, Palawan Dagupan City, Pangasinan Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte DoĂąa Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental Lambunao, Iloilo Lantapan, Bukidnon Maribojoc, Bohol Mulanay, Quezon Muntinlupa City, NCR Panglao, Bohol Salcedo, Eastern Samar San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan San Remigio, Cebu Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte Sumisip, Basilan Taysan, Batangas Tinoc, Ifugao A N G AT B U H AY
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STORIES FROM THE GROUND
San Remigio, Cebu Until this year, the Philippines was one of the few countries in the world without a mental health law. Mental health remains a sensitive topic among Filipinos—a topic that only some people understand, much less talk about. San Remigio is a third-class municipality found in the northern coastlines of Cebu. After the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, it identified mental health as its priority concern. As local and international organizations visited the area to help out, their representatives found residents locked up in cages and chained by their families because they had violent episodes. Since then, the local government of San Remigio has partnered with Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization that responds to communities affected by poverty or disaster. They launched a community-based mental health program, focusing on family involvement in 44
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treating the illness. Slowly but surely, it has made a world of difference in the lives of the patients and their families. Only one nurse is in charge of all the patients in the area: Heloise Dosdos. Together with barangay health workers, they conduct regular house visits. Heloise said that in one particular instance, the mother of one of her patients thanked them for their service. The patient was kept in a cage because she had turned violent, but after continuous treatment, she has since resumed a normal life, and could be trusted with simple errands at home. With tears, Heloise said the mother could not believe that the life of her child would improve. As a professional, Heloise considers this the reason for her career and vocation: that the stigma against mental health conditions be removed, and for people to realize that understanding, coupled with professional medical attention, constitute the first steps to solving the problem.
MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN SAN REMIGIO
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46
₱17,359,006 worth of resources for
5,260
beneficiaries As of November 2018, there are 209 mental health patients in San Remigio. This 2018, the LGU allotted P750,000 for the monthly provision of psychiatric medicines. Through Angat Buhay, the Philippine Mental Health Association – Cebu Chapter will also be giving technical assistance to the LGU and families of mental health patients, such as consultations, administration of medicine, and therapy. To address the increasing number of patients in the area, a bigger mental health facility in the municipality is currently being built, a project funded by the OVP. It is expected to be fully
operational by January 2019, and will serve as a temporary confinement space where patients can stay and be cared for by health workers. San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez likewise thanked Angat Buhay for the assistance given to their municipality, especially introducing them to partners who can help improve and expand their mental health program. Mayor Martinez also hopes that by sharing their experience in San Remigio, they are setting an example for other local government units to emulate, and put focus on the health and wellness of their constituents.
74 individuals
were provided by Physicians for Peace with assistive devices worth
₱726,571 1,351
senior citizens took part in Merck Sharp & Dohme’s immunization program in Argao and San Remigio, Cebu
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COOKING DEMO WITH CHEF GENE GONZALEZ
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STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Panglao, Bohol As the only senior high school in Panglao, Lourdes National High School offers a tourism curriculum, aiming to equip their students with proper training that can get them hired in the town’s up-and-coming industry, even if they don’t go to college.
the help of various hotel-resorts in the area. However, they still struggle with their cooking and baking classes, with the 50 students in their class having to share limited equipment. The girls shared that they cannot get the recipes right sometimes because of this.
Wilma Grace and Mary Grace are among the students who were drawn to the said curriculum, offered under the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) strand of the school’s K-12 program. Wilma Grace, daughter of a security guard, was enticed to undergo the TVL track, taking after her older brother— who now works for a hotel-resort in town. Mary Grace, meanwhile, is the daughter of a ship captain, and dreams of putting up a restaurant.
Now, Wilma Grace and Mary Grace are able to work with proper kitchen tools and equipment, similar to what professional chefs use in the real setting, thanks to the generosity of Angat Buhay partner Masflex-KitchenPro. Another partner, Astoria Hotel, will also provide training on baking for the TVL students in the school early next year. This way, students are properly trained for work in the tourism industry, and can apply for more competitive jobs in hotels and restaurants in the area.
Both of them said they are motivated to study, given the new tourism facility put up by the Provincial Government with
Angat Buhay continuously looks for ways on how to improve the skills of
students, increasing their chances for employment after graduation. Aside from Panglao, similar kitchen tools and equipment have been turned over to Bagupaye National High School and Pakiing National High School in Mulanay, Quezon, also care of MasflexKitchenPro. A N G AT B U H AY
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STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Balangkayan, Eastern Samar Grade 8 student Eduard Altar used to leave his house before dawn and would walk for three hours to get to school. Like Eduard, majority of the students from Barangays Balogo and Caisawan of Balangkayan travel for at least 10 kilometers by foot to get to their classes. By the time they reach the campus, students are exhausted already. This affects their academic performance, which often leads to frequent absences. Some students spend P60 roundtrip for transportation—an amount that is quite burdensome to students who come from low-income families. In September 2017, the OVP turned over a multicab to Barangays Balogo and Caisawan, benefiting the students of Balangkayan National High School. It helped decrease absenteeism from 7.77% to 5.69%. Now, Eduard rides the Angat Buhay multicab going to school. He said this motivated the students to attend their classes. “Nakakatulong po sa pag-aaral 50
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kasi hindi na [tinatamad] pumasok iyong mga estudyante,” he said. (“This helped us in our schooling because the students no longer feel lazy to attend class.”) Another student, April Colima, who is in Grade 9, also takes the multicab along with her two siblings. They are able to save up to a total of P270 per week. “Sobrang nakatulong po siya sa amin kasi po noong wala pong multicab, lagi po akong nale-late at saka [naka-bawas] pamasahe din po,” she said. (“This really helped us because before the pedicabs arrived, we were always late. We were also able to save up on fares.”) Seeing the impact on school attendance, Balangkayan has received an additional multicab, through the OVP, which will service more students to the National High School. A dormitory is also on the way that aims to improve the school performance of well-deserved students living in far-flung barangays.
₱95,576,946
worth of classrooms, school equipment, dormitories and capacity building for teachers and students Here are some of the schools that have received assistance from the Angat Buhay partners this year: Tampakan Central Elementary School, South Cotabato Sumilao Tribal High School, Bukidnon Damilag Integrated School, Bukidnon Burgos Elementary School, Mulanay, Quezon Kalanggaman Elementary School, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental Duit Elementary School, Kiangan, Ifugao Bagacay Elementary School, Camarines Sur Malibtong Elementary School, Tinambac, Camarines Sur Matarinao School of Fisheries, Salcedo, Eastern Samar
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TARALBE OMBUS
52
STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Marawi, Lanao del Sur The months-long clashes that took hold of Marawi City forced thousands to flee their homes, and seek refuge in crowded evacuation centers, where they yearned to get their old lives back.
MARAWI GROUND ZERO
MARAWI EVACUEES IN SAGUIARAN
This is the heartbreak that mothers like Taralbe Ombus carried. Leaving a compound that saw many happy memories, the 78-year-old and her family evacuated to the town of Saguiaran. For Taralbe, living in a covered court was like “being in hell”—smelly water rising from the canal whenever it rained, having to fight for space, and waiting for relief assistance. Thinking about her grandchildren going through this brought tears to her eyes. Knowing that there were many stories like Taralbe’s, the Office of the Vice President was determined to help the residents of Marawi. In May 2017, two days into the siege, the Office started its “Stand with Marawi” Relief Operations in partnership with Xavier University (XU) in Cagayan de Oro. With the help of volunteers, some of whom were from Marawi themselves, some P8.73 million worth of relief assistance reached displaced residents from Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and other nearby areas. Additional assistance of P3.6 million were also mobilized for community kitchens, water filters, and livelihood provisions for evacuees. A N G AT B U H AY
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Following Marawi’s liberation in October 2017, the OVP focused its efforts on early recovery interventions. In July 2018, the OVP formally opened the Angat Buhay transitional village in Barangay Sagonsongan — giving families, including that of Taralbe, a space to call their own. The project, implemented with XU and the City Government of Marawi, was made possible through the help of Angat Buhay partners, with the initial 60 units constructed with the P7.4 million raised through “Piso Para sa Laban ni Leni,” a donation drive initially intended to help settle the required cash deposit for the VP electoral protest. With this, Taralbe has found a reason to smile amid her tears, saying that being chosen as a beneficiary for the shelter is like “being brought to heaven.” Here, in their new space, she and her grandchildren can start dreaming bigger dreams.
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A B V I L L AG E
₱12,307,583.65 worth of transitory shelters
₱24,000 allotted for the provision of 24 sewing machines as alternative livelihood support for Marawi internally displaced persons (IDPs)
₱585,000
worth of starter kits for household utilities, such as mattresses, stoves and electric fans
₱7,010,000 allotted for the construction of temporary learning spaces and toy libraries, and provision of furniture
₱1,200,000
worth of school kits such as school bags and supplies for 2,400 students
ANGAT BUHAY VILLAGE
55
STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur The Marawi siege took place in May 2017, but until now, many of its residents remain displaced, longing not only for their homes but also for a steady source of livelihood to support their families. Rose Acampong, a single mother and dressmaker from Marawi, was out for a quick trip to the market when ISIS-inspired militants attacked her hometown. She and her four children were forced to walk frantically and aimlessly for many hours amid the fighting, until finally finding refuge in nearby Saguiaran. She lost her home and with it, her livelihood. After the siege, the Office of the Vice President, together with AlMujadilah Development Foundation, Mayor Macmod Muti, and the local government of Saguiaran, turned over sewing machines and other materials for the women dressmakers so that they can restart their livelihood. 56
A N G AT B U H AY
Through Angat Buhay, Rose and the other dressmakers are also now partnering with AKABA Ltd. Design Co., a social enterprise that creates unique and stylish bags that feature handwoven fabrics from small weaving communities across the country. Last August, they attended a training on Basic Bag Making and Sewing, where they learned how to assemble different types of bags and pouches sold by AKABA. They also learned how to create a business plan, experienced pitching their enterprises to a panel, and will also be receiving cash grants to expand their businesses. Not only that, the barangay captain of Saguiaran’s poblacion generously lent the barangay hall to the women dressmakers. In September, they have already moved into their new work space, and are now happy because they don’t have to be confined in dark evacuation centers anymore. Rose believes that someday, they will be able
ROSE ACAMPONG
to stand again. “Nadapa man kami sa isang iglap, alam kong sabay-sabay rin kami makatayo,” she said. (“We may have fallen down, but I believe we will rise from this together.”) Rebuilding Marawi cannot be done overnight, but with the help of countless groups and individuals, we can help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao return to a place where they can start again and call their home.
AKABA TRAINING
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STRAWBERRY FARMING IN OCAMPO
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STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Metro Naga, Camarines Sur Last July 2018, the Office of the Vice President launched Omasenso sa Kabuhayan, which seeks to empower and increase the income of smallholder farmers in the poorest communities. The goal is simple: create direct links between farmers and potential markets. By doing so, the farmers are able to better understand the market’s demands in terms of the quality of the produce, the frequency of deliveries, and therefore fielding out their crops better. Robert Buabayan, president of the Agripreneur Farmers and Producers Association of Libmanan, said the problem sometimes was that farmers could not produce enough supply with the needed quality to meet demand. It was also a problem that some farmers plant the same thing and none of other needed produce, causing a surplus that hurts the market as well.
To ensure that the farmers are able to effectively and efficiently meet the demands of the businesses, Angat Buhay has partnered with line government agencies including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Trade and Industry to equip farmers with the necessary tools and skills to meet the quality required by the establishments. Robert’s association is one of the eight farmers groups chosen as pilot beneficiaries of the project. Barely six months in, Omasenso has already served as a successful platform for matching local suppliers to local businesses. Of the eight farmers groups, two have already began supplying produce to Bigg’s Diner, one of the biggest local fast food chains in Camarines Sur. When asked why they agreed to do this, Sieg Borromeo of Bigg’s said:
“Kapag sa kanila tayo bumili ng mga products at raw materials na ginagamit natin sa ating mga restaurants... mas maraming mga pamilya ang magiginhawaan. Kapag ang growth ay biased lang sa businesses, wala doon sa side ng mga suppliers, lalo na iyong mga local suppliers, parang hindi buo iyong ating economic growth.” SIEG BORROMEO Assitant to the CEO, Bigg’s Diner
(“When we buy products and raw materials from them that we use in our restaurants, we are actually helping more families. When growth is biased only to businesses and not on the side of supplies, especially local suppliers, it does not equate to economic growth.”) Angat Buhay hopes to replicate Omasenso in more adopted communities in the country that have farming as the primary source of livelihood, including Kiangan, Ifugao and Lambunao, Iloilo. A N G AT B U H AY
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STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Kiangan, Ifugao Known for its vibrant culture and ancient rice terraces, Kiangan is a municipality found in the mountainous province of Ifugao. In the hilltops, the people of Kiangan thrive in agriculture and other traditional crafts such as weaving and woodcarving. However, despite its fertile ground and conducive temperature, local farmers are still seeking ways to go beyond traditional farming methods and gain access to bigger markets. In many provinces, inclusive business models are being introduced to bring sustainable livelihood in farming communities. For instance, Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has been helping farmer-cooperatives in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija since 2009. Hoping to expand the knowledge and improve the capabilities of local producers, Jollibee provided financial and technical assistance to several onion growers. 60
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When Typhoon Lawin struck the Cordillera region in 2016, JGF, through Angat Buhay, reached out to vegetable farmers in Kiangan. According to Mayor Joselito Guyguyon, JGF funded a small field trip so that farmers from Kiangan could visit and learn from their counterparts in Nueva Ecija. They were also provided with free training, where they learned the basics of crop cultivation, organic farming, agro-enterprise planning, and market chain analysis. One of them was Reginald Dumangeng, a 59-year-old farmer from Barangay Pindongan, who also heads the local association of farmers in Kiangan. According to Reggie, he is very happy that he was chosen to take part in the program because small-time producers like him now have the opportunity to become accredited
suppliers for big fastfood chains and other businesses in Manila. Last January, the farmers of Kiangan received 200 red bell pepper seedlings for their own backyard farm. Last March, they delivered the first batch of red bell peppers for inspection and test marketing. They hope to pass the accreditation process, so they can finally supply Jollibee’s fast food chains with their produce before the year ends. With enough support and handholding, local farmers like Tatay Reggie are given the opportunity to gain access to bigger markets and create more job opportunities in far-flung communities like Kiangan.
REGINALD DUMANGENG
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STORIES FROM THE GROUND
Agutaya, Palawan Palawan remains to be one of the most beautiful islands, not only in the Philippines, but also in the world. Known for its white sand beaches and tropical lagoons, it opens its land and vast sea to natives and tourists alike. Surrounded by the ocean, fishing remains to be the primary source of livelihood of many residents in the island. Rolando Manzo is one of them, a resident of Barangay Algeciras in Agutaya. Agutaya belongs to the Cuyo group of islands, so far-flung that it takes almost 12 hours to reach its shores by boat from Coron. Born and raised in Mindoro, Rolando transferred to Palawan because of the different kinds of fish he could catch, making for a substantial living there. As with many fishermen in Algeciras, Rolando has been a seaweed farmer and fisherman for most of his life—30 years and counting.
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Rolando once owned a small boat, but lost it in 2013 because of Typhoon Yolanda. Since then, he would hitch rides with friends and neighbors who had their own boats. Whatever he would catch on fishing trips would be partitioned between him and the boat owner. Whenever the fishermen of Brgy. Algeciras needed money for capital, it was a regular practice for them to borrow money from rich fishermen and pay them back with interest. Now, Rolando tells a different story. Upon receiving the boat from Angat Buhay partner St. Theresa’s College Quezon City Alumni Association (STCQCAA) last June 2017, Rolando put it to good use. With his small boat, he was able to spend more time farming seaweed, fishing, and he even uses it to ferry his children and grandchildren to their school in a nearby island. After 10 months, he saved up enough money to build a bigger boat to catch more fish and carry more seaweeds to shore.
BOATS FROM STCQCAA
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PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY STUDY TOUR
This year, more boats were turned over by STCQCAA to fishermen. Aside from this, Rolando and his fellow seaweed farmers went to Palawan State University last October to learn new technologies and processes on seaweed farming. The training will help Agutaya in reviving its seaweed industry, which means increasing the livelihood opportunities for the people. Far from the urbanized center, Rolando said he never would have thought that help would come, because very few knew about his hometown.
“Para ba kaming nasa laot— nasa gitna kami ng laot, at pilit na inabot ninyo kami, at nagpapasalamat kami na nakarating ang tulong ninyo,” he said. “Sana sa darating pang panahon marami pang isla sa Palawan ang marating ng inyong programa.” (“It’s as if we were in the middle of the sea, and you reached out to help us. We thank you, and hope that in the future, more islands in Palawan will benefit from your program.”)
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SEAWEED FARMERS OF AGUTAYA
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STORIES FROM THE GROUND
₱31,885,545
Lamitan, Basilan 6,554 benefitting
individuals and families
For the Yakan women of Barangay Buahan, Lamitan, Basilan, weaving tennun is a fight to stay true to who they are. Creating the textile, known for colorful geometric patterns, was solace to these women, whose lives have been marked by continuous conflict. However, many of them are driven away from their looms by poverty, becoming laborers for businesses in Zamboanga City. Those who keep weaving, like Laila Tadja, do so outside their own homes, and even along their “highway barangay,” their production dictated by the weather. Despite the limitations set by grueling heat and torrential rains, the Yakan women of Brgy. Buahan are determined to keep their tradition alive, passing it on to their children as they aim for a productive weaving industry in their town. 66
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They are starting to see the realization of this dream. Following VP Leni’s visit in June 2018, the Office of the Vice President partnered with the local government of Lamitan to establish a weaving center for the barangay. In September, Nanay Laila joined the Angat Buhay Workshop for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs in Zamboanga City, where she learned the workings of a small business—and received a small grant to get it started. Social enterprises Woven PH and AKABA Ltd. Design Co. also took an interest in their textile, and are now ordering tennun directly from the women. As Nanay Laila and the Yakan women move forward, weaving has become more than just comfort and culture— it is now their key to a better future.
Livelihood Training Programs for women entrepreneurs 25 women farmers from Tangcal, Lanao del Norte received livelihood subsidies from OVP and attended the training done in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority on Virgin Coconut Oil Processing 10 women weavers from Marawi, Lanao del Sur received livelihood training on bag-making and sewing in partnership with AKABA 22 women from Marikina joined L’oreal Philippines, Inc.’s “Beauty for Better Life” program, a three-month skills training on cosmetology and hairdressing and two-week internship with partner salons 54 women store owners from Pateros attended financial literacy trainings conducted by Hapinoy to improve their sari-sari stores
YAKAN TENNUN WEAVING IN LAMITAN
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INP AREAS 1
Baguio City, Benguet
2
Quezon City
3
Cavite
4
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
5
Camarines Norte
6
Naga, Camarines Sur
7
Tabaco, Albay
8
Legazpi, Albay
9
Sorsogon
10
Capiz
11
Iloilo City, Iloilo
12
Bacolod, Negros Occidental
13
Negros Occidental
14
Manjuyod, Negros Oriental
15
Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
16
Cebu City, Cebu
17
Cebu Province
18
Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental
INP UNIVERSITIES Ateneo de Manila University De La Salle-College of St. Benilde and De La Salle University Silliman University
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I S TO R YA N G PA G-A S A
Istorya ng Pag-asa (INP) began as a traveling photo gallery featuring the different stories of hope of ordinary Filipinos. The project aims to empower communities and instill hope, through the words and profiles of inspiring individuals. Originally an offshoot of “Araw ng Pagbasa, Araw ng Pag-asa”, an annual reading advocacy program in Quezon City, Istorya ng Pag-asa was officially adopted by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on 27 November 2016 at the Ayala Museum. Since then, INP continues to grow with more stories of extraordinary individuals, with the help of local communities, and with the support of partners and stakeholders from all over the country. INP has launched and opened its galleries in at least 10 key cities nationwide, featuring over 300 homegrown stories. Istorya ng Pag-asa is the OVP’s way of changing the conversation, a challenge for us most especially today, when we are bombarded by hate and anger. Telling these stories proves to us that we can counter this rising culture of negativity and apathy around the world. That in making heroes out of the ordinary, we find in us an extraordinary strength to face the challenges of these extraordinary times. I S TO R YA N G PA G-A S A
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INPFF TOP WINNERS AND SPECIAL AWARDEES
Launched in 2017 to mark the first anniversary of Istorya ng Pag-asa under the OVP, the INP Film Festival (INPFF) aims to spread more true stories of hope and inspiration, this time through compelling short films. Made possible through a partnership with Ayala Foundation, the nationwide, all-digital film competition was opened to the Filipino public to make them partners in telling stories of hope from ordinary citizens.
tics caused by Tourette Syndrome. The second prize went to Meg Serranilla’s “Tago,” which tells the story of Nelson Gonzales, a jazz drummer who keeps the Tago Jazz Cafe open for musicians and enthusiasts alike. The film “Gawilan” by Kelsy Lua took home third prize, dedicated to 2016 Summer Paralympics qualifier and 2018 Asian Para Games gold medalist Ernie Gawilan.
From over 70 entries, 15 films were selected as finalists, which competed for the festival’s top titles, cash prizes of up to P50,000, and the chance to be screened at Ayala Mall Cinemas nationwide. The top films made their debut on the big screen at the INPFF Gala Night, held last 12 June 2018.
The winners were chosen under the scrutiny of an esteemed panel of judges, which included: respected screenwriter Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., filmmakers Dan Villegas and Quark Henares, renowned actress Shamaine Buencamino, and Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair Liza Diño.
Here, Florence Rosini won first prize for “Ang Biyahe ni Marlon.” The short film featured the story of Marlon Fuentes, a transport network vehicle service (TNVS) driver who perseveres despite involuntary movements or
The film festival is currently open for submissions again for its second run, which will be showcased in June 2019. Details and mechanics are available at www.istoryangpagasa.ovp.gov.ph. I S TO R YA N G PA G-A S A F I L M F E S T I VA L
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Rustie Quintana C AG AYA N D E O R O
Rustie and his brother left their troubled home when they were kids, and ended up loitering the streets near Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City. Unattended by any adult, he was exposed to drugs and other crimes. There were people who wanted to help Rustie, but gave up, calling him a hopeless case. Until one day, he chanced upon an art exhibit, where he would sometimes spend days, enamored with the artworks, admiring and staring at the pieces. There, he met a man who would change his life: not only did he help Rustie discover his passion for art, but the man also volunteered to take care of him and send him to school—as long as he changed his ways. And Rustie did: he studied hard, even becoming a scholar in Xavier University, and graduated in 2015 with a degree in Development Communication. Now, Rustie sees a brighter future, thanks to that one person who believed in him.
JP Maunes CEBU
JP realized his advocacy at a young age, when he met his best friend who was deaf — he was one of his playmates in basketball, and JP wanted to make an effort to learn how to communicate with him. Since then, JP has helped countless persons with disability (PWD) live their best lives. He founded the Philippine Accessible Disability Services, Inc. (PADS) with a vision for a disability-inclusive society, and even established a dragon boat racing team in the country, as a rehabilitation program for PWDs. Through the program, they were able to join and represent the country in the International Paradragon Championships last June 2017, bringing home a gold medal. Because of JP’s efforts, PADS was recognized as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in 2014. In the same year, he also received the first Jesse Robredo Youth in Governance Special Award. 74
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John Paredes B AG U I O C I T Y
John became totally blind at 23, a fate he suffered after contracting German measles as a child. Before completely losing his sight, he studied in a primary school for the blind where he learned Braille and other skills that would make him productive, such as gardening and animal raising. Growing up, he applied for scholarships and grants in high school and strove to study until college. During his college years, John’s vision began to deteriorate, but this did not stop him from pursuing his dreams. He pressed on, graduating with a degree in BS Social Work and became a licensed teacher with a Master’s in Educational Management. He is now teaching in a university in Baguio, while still pursuing further studies. As part of his advocacy, John holds seminars for visually-impaired students and supports causes for the blind—proving that no disability can hinder anyone from achieving his potential and helping others.
Jessie Savilla N AG A C I T Y
People talk about how age is only a number, but senior citizen and lawyer of almost two years Jessie Savilla proved it when he passed the 2016 Bar exams. It was not an easy journey for Jessie, who married and started a family early. In the beginning, Jessie had to set his dreams aside because he had to support his growing children. But just as he said: dreams never die. After sending all his kids to school, he found himself returning to his law books and reigniting his passion for learning. Much to his excitement, it was Jessie’s kids who sent him to law school. He enrolled, studied hard, and eventually took the Bar exams. Jessie did not pass on his first try, but this did not stop him. He took his time, gave it another shot, and passed. It was indeed his time to shine. Jessie believes that it was his undying desire to become a lawyer that led him to this success. I S TO R YA N G PA G-A S A
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Lorna Tambaoan Q U E ZO N C I T Y
Nanay Lorna is a single mother of four and the sole breadwinner of her family. After the sudden passing of her husband, she has taken on the full responsibility of raising all of her children, sending them to school and providing for their needs. She tends to a sari-sari store with her sister, where she also sells merienda favorites: turon, bananacue, and lumpia. For a time, she also sold vegetables out of a kariton around Quezon City. Through hard work, Nanay Lorna says her biggest achievement are her children. Three are working professionals already: the eldest is a lawyer; the second is a nurse in Dubai; and the third is a teacher based in Cuba. Her youngest is currently studying medicine under the Intarmed Program of the University of the Philippines. A mother’s love is a powerful force, and Nanay Lorna’s story is proof that any hardship can be endured if one aspires to keep moving forward.
Ferdinand Opinion PA L AWA N
As a child, Ding suffered from polio, losing the function of an arm and both of his legs, making everyday tasks difficult. But Ding did not let this get in the way of living his life. When his family moved to Palawan, he learned to repair electronic devices with the help of his brother. Keen on pursuing formal training, he studied under the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System program, then at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for its Basic Electronics Course. With his learnings, he put up his own electronics repair shop. Aside from this, Ding is also using his skills to help other persons with disability (PWDs). Through the Bahatala Rehabilitation Center, he learned how to design and assemble special wheelchairs, and is teaching his fellow PWDs how to use them.
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Ave Alba A L B AY
Finishing school held much meaning for Ave because she made this promise to her dying mother. Seeing her father, a farmer, struggle to provide for their brood, Ave applied for odd jobs, even working in the households of her teachers, who offered to help her through school. As a high school valedictorian, she left her native Masbate to apply for a college scholarship in Legazpi, Albay. While studying, she worked as a janitress to cover her living expenses—and earned her degree, graduating summa cum laude. From cleaning around campus, Ave worked as a stenographer in a regional trial court. Inspired by the workings of the judiciary and the dream of a better life for her growing family, she studied Law and eventually joined the legal profession. She rose up the ranks and became a municipal trial court judge in Daraga, Albay—showing that one can persevere and triumph over life’s greatest adversities.
Mitch Desunia SORSOGON
When Mitch opened her couture house in 2009, she was armed with a big dream and just enough capital to fund it. She had poured out her heart and soul to get to this point, working as an insurance agent and then as a call center representative, to save enough money to start her own fashion line. Mitch had dreamt of this for as long as she can remember: when she was younger, she made paper dolls for her classmates and sold ukay-ukay during their town fiesta to earn extra money. At 30, Mitch opened the Mitch Desunia Haute Couture, creating fashionable yet affordable wedding gowns. Soon after, she branched out to creating ready-to-wear dresses, as well as perfume and other body essentials, which are now being sold in Manila and in various parts of United Kingdom. This proud Sorsogueña has surely come a long way, bringing pride not just to her family, but to the whole country. I S TO R YA N G PA G-A S A
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Vejiel Velez B ACO LO D C I T Y
Vejiel grew up in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, and is a proud member of the Ata tribe. Because of her dark skin, she was oftentimes bullied in school— something that Vejiel never really took to heart because she was proud of where she came from. Instead, she focused her energy on studying hard. Her hard work paid off, when she got a full scholarship for high school and college. Far from home, Vejiel entered as a scholar at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. She pressed on, setting aside her fear of being discriminated against for her complexion, dedicating all her triumphs and achievements to her people. By grit and determination, she graduated cum laude in Elementary Education, and is now a Lasallian volunteer, serving as a preschool teacher in Bataan. Vejiel is proof that we can overcome struggles and reach our dreams, as long as we fully embrace who we are.
Tatoy Espinosa I LO I LO C I T Y
No trip to Iloilo is complete without a visit to Tatoy’s Manokan. Once a small family business, Tatoy’s has become a famous homegrown restaurant for locals and returning tourists alike, who want to experience Iloilo’s fresh seafood and grilled chicken. But there’s more to their food than its flavor: much of its success can be attributed to Tatoy’s determination and perseverance. He built the business from the ground up, despite his background: he had no formal education and had been working as a fisherman and market vendor, selling homemade seafood and native chicken dishes to support his family of ten. His dishes were such a hit among locals that he eventually earned enough to build three small huts for his customers. The business then became a family affair: with the help of his family, Tatoy’s has now expanded to three big branches, bringing the taste of Iloilo to anyone who wants a bite. 78
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Rex Bernardo CAMARINES NORTE
Growing up with polio, Rex was physically weak and was never allowed to venture beyond their home. His aunts were his first educators: teaching him to read and write, instilling in him a thirst for knowledge that he has since pursued. Now, Rex is a scholar, with degrees from at least three universities, here and abroad. Confined as he was by his condition, Rex never let his spirit falter. He has since founded the Philippine Network for Inclusive Education, holding leadership positions in civic groups including Alyansa ng May Kapansanang Pinoy and Daet Disabled Persons Affairs Committee. In 2008, Rex was recognized by the Ten Outstanding Young Men Awards and given the Mabini Presidential Award. Everywhere he went, Rex left an indelible mark, helping other persons with disability like him find strong support systems—a community that includes rather than excludes.
Mark Gabo
DE L A SALLE UNIVERSIT Y
At a young age, Mark’s parents separated and his mother brought him from Rizal to their hometown in Camarines Sur. When he was five, he already knew how to plow the fields and helped his grandmother in the farm. Mark saw children his age go to school and thought to do the same, but set it aside, realizing that his family needed him more. Four years later, Mark would enroll in classes, even when he was already older than most of his peers. But he soldiered on, committing himself to his studies so that he can one day support his family. When he graduated elementary, he sought work, from being a carwash boy, to a dishwasher, and to a mechanic. Soon after that, he entered De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s ALS program, where he recently finished his studies. Mark teaches us that things will always get better, that you can build yourself from the ground up with determination and perseverance. You only have to believe. I S TO R YA N G PA G-A S A
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Alma Fermano AT E N EO D E M A N I L A U N I V E R S I T Y
Originally from Negros Occidental, Alma moved to Manila to find better work. In 1995, she began working at the Ateneo de Manila University as a photocopy operator. Fondly called “Ate Alma” by students, she is the sole breadwinner of her family, supporting her three sons’ education through her work. To make ends meet, she sometimes sold snacks in the campus during her lunchbreak. In spite of the hardships, Ate Alma remains positive and cheerful. She never fails to lovingly greet every Atenean who passes by her station with her signature “Hi, pangga!” For Ate Alma, she draws inspiration from her own children and her panggas to keep going. It was enough for her to see them studying hard and succeeding in what they do. Ate Alma’s story is proof that we live in a time of everyday heroes—people who embody love, courage and strength in the most unexpected of ways.
Kalipay Negrense N EG R O S O CC I D E N TA L
Led by Anna Balcells, Kalipay—meaning “ joy” in Ilonggo—began as a fundraising entity, to help support existing institutions that housed and helped disadvantaged children. Since 2007, Kalipay has touched and changed the lives of hundreds of children through its various residential care programs in Negros Occidental: Haven Home in Bacolod and Recovered Treasures in Bago City. Both homes are run by full-time house parents and Kalipay provides their basic needs. Kalipay also runs two community-based projects: the Gawad Kalinga – Alberto Balcells Hope Village, and Kalipay Aldea, where the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Cadiz City live. Up to this day, Kalipay commits itself to being a haven for children, continuing its cause to give joy, healing, and recovery to the last, the least, and the lost.
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Rizal Quio D U M AG U E T E
A son of farmers in Siaton, Rizal is one of 11 children who had big dreams for his family and himself. Because of poverty, Rizal had to stop school for five years. During this time, he joined his parents to help out in the farm. At 18, he entered high school and, despite his age, was enthusiastic and active in co-curricular activities. Rizal graduated with honors, but he knew his parents could not afford to send him to college. And so, without his parents’ knowledge, he began looking for scholarships in Dumaguete that could support his education. His parents only found out when news spread that Rizal was one of the two recipients of a scholarship from Silliman University. In 2017, Rizal graduated with a degree in Business Administration, and is now working in the Silliman University Medical Center as a billing clerk. Rizal continues to dedicate his triumphs to his family, and hopes to inspire others as well to not give up on their dreams.
Ferdinand Disa C AV I T E
Born and raised in Camarines Norte, Fernando has only known fishing his whole life. One day, he and his friends journeyed to Cavite to look for better opportunities in life. For many years, he has made a steady livelihood through fishing and has even saved enough money to buy three boats. Because of his hard work, all of his children have graduated college, and are already working professionals. Recently, he went back to his hometown to bring more of his friends and relatives to Cavite and help them start their own livelihood here. Aside from fishing, he is also a reliable neighbor in his community, helping people buy materials to build their own homes.
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