Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday honored her predecessors—the former vice presidents—for their sacrifices, wisdom, and personal dedication to serving the Filipino people.
"To our esteemed former Vice Presidents of the Philippines, and to their surviving families—maraming salamat sa paglaan ng inyong oras sa pagbibigay halaga sa Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo," Duterte said during the 90th anniversary celebration of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) at Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.
("Thank you very much for taking the time to honor the Office of the Vice President.")
"We recognize that the institution we serve today was built by your sacrifice, your wisdom, and your personal dedication to the Filipino people," she added.
As part of the celebration, Duterte said OVP launched the agency’s 90th anniversary coffee table book, capturing each former vice president’s chapters of service.
"We are proud to dedicate the nationwide pop-up exhibits to you. These exhibits, now running in major cities, are our way of ensuring that every Filipino appreciates the depth of each vice president's legacy," she said.
Duterte also expressed prayers and sympathies to those affected by recent typhoons and other calamities, noting her office is always ready to assist.
"My heart and my prayers go out to all our countrymen recently affected by the spate of natural calamities—the devastation caused by the earthquake, the strong winds and flooding from successive typhoons, and the continuous threat posed by volcanic activity," Duterte said.
"We mourn with those who have lost loved ones and pray for strength and recovery for all whose homes and livelihoods were affected. It is in these moments of profound crisis that the government must be the strongest," she added.
Duterte thanked OVP’s disaster response teams for providing relief assistance during calamities.
"Our commitment to providing immediate assistance is evident in the relentless work of our disaster response teams, who move right after every typhoon, earthquake, and other emergencies. These courageous individuals deserve our recognition," she said.
"To the dedicated men and women of the Office of the Vice President—from our central and satellite offices, our frontliners, to our program managers and staff—maraming salamat po sa inyong tapat na serbisyo. This institution's success is a direct result of the relentless effort you put into service delivery every single day," Duterte added.
("Thank you very much for your loyal service.")
"You are the operational heart of the OVP. Despite budget constraints and gargantuan challenges, your resilience ensures that essential aid reaches our kababayan immediately, efficiently, and with heart. You are the embodiment of responsive governance."
Duterte also said OVP is actively working on three critical goals: establishing the OVP Museum, a permanent OVP office, and the enactment of the OVP Charter.
"These goals are dedicated to all of you, ensuring that the excellence you demonstrate now will be supported and sustained by future public servants," she said.