Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday vowed to continue fighting what she described as the “greed of some high-ranking officials in the government,” reiterating her commitment to good governance and integrity in public service.
"Mga kababayan, patuloy tayong lalaban sa kasakiman ng mga iilang mataas na opisyal ng ating pamahalaan," Duterte said in a statement.
"Patuloy naming na ipapakita sa inyo ng aming Tanggapan na mahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng plano, mahusay na implementasyon ng proyekto, paglaban sa korapsyon, at tapang at malasakit para magkaroon ng kaunlaran sa ating bayan," she added.
Duterte said she remains determined to serve the country with dedication through operational excellence and transparency.
"Dahil sa ating digitalization efforts, binigyan tayo ng Special Citation mula sa Development Academy of the Philippines dahil sa ating 'Paper-less' challenge," she said, noting that the initiative enabled the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to save more than 3.2 million sheets of paper.
"Naakapag-save tayo ng mahigit 3.2 milyong sheets of paper. Ito ay patunay na ang ating commitment sa efficiency at sa kalikasan ay bahagi na ng ating araw-araw na operasyon," she added.
According to the Vice President, the OVP finance team also received an unqualified opinion from the Commission on Audit — the highest possible audit rating.
"Ito ay malinaw na indikasyon ng ating transparency at fiscal integrity," she said.
Duterte admitted that the loss of funding for the OVP's social services this year was a major challenge, but emphasized that the office sought solutions to ensure continuity of assistance.
"Hindi kami pumayag na maging dahilan ang kakulangan ng budget para maputol ang serbisyo," she said. "Sa halip, nakipagtulungan kami sa mga ahensiya ng gobyerno at nagtagumpay na makakuha ng alternatibong pondo," she added.
Despite budget constraints, she said the OVP’s assistance windows remain open.
"Nakapagbigay tayo ng tulong sa 4,643 na Pilipinong may karamdaman. At nakatulong ang ating burial assistance sa 1,377 beneficiaries," Duterte said. "Ito ang pruweba na kung may puso at paninindigan para maglingkod, laging may paraan para tulungan ang ating mga kababayan," she added.
She also highlighted the office’s disaster response efforts.
"Ang ating Disaster Operations Center ay patuloy na naghahatid ng agarang tulong," she said.
A total of 73,054 families affected by calamities received aid from the OVP, including 9,129 families who were given donated items. Duterte said that as part of its rapid response to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu and the Mt. Kanlaon eruption, the OVP distributed 2,514 bags of 25-kilo rice.
Most recently, she personally led relief operations in Negros Occidental and Cebu for families affected by typhoons.
The OVP also extended support to frontliners and rescuers. Through its Kalusugan Food Truck, 1,866 volunteers, rescuers and frontliners were provided meals.
Through its RIICE Program, the OVP has distributed a total of 56,575 bags of rice and essential food items in response zones.