The Vice President was in Aklan for a series of events.

At 1:30 pm, she went to Ugyon Pamatan-on! (United Youth)in Caticlan Activity Center, Malay. The event is a one-day leadership summit organized by Pambayang Pederasyon ng mga SK ng Malay (PPSK) and the National Alliance of Youth Leaders, Inc. (NAYL) that aims to give voice to the youth and student leaders of the Municipality of Malay. The event featured several speakers and workshops to engage and develop youth leaders. PPSK is an organization that fosters youth programs and activities that lead to the youth’s growth and development. It is the principal body of youth leaders in government who serve the Malaynon youth. NAYL is a nationwide non-stock, non-profit, non-sectarian group of young leaders that links youth sectors across the nation to promote collaborative efforts towards nation building.

In her message, the Vice President mentioned that it is the government’s role to provide an avenue for the youth to maximize their own capabilities. “Tingin ko kami na nasa pamahalaan, ang obligasyon namin hindi kayo sasabihan kung ano ang gagawin ninyo. Pero ang obligasyon namin, dapat kami ay enablers, ‘di ba? Dapat in-e-enable namin kayo na maging mahuhusay. Dapat binibigyan kayo ng space at saka opportunities para ma-harness niyo iyong inyong talents. Dapat binibigyan kayo ng push, binibigyan kayo ng encouragement para magawa niyo iyong mga bagay to the best of your abilities. Kasi tingin ko kung sinasabi lang namin sa inyo kung anong gagawin ninyo, hindi kayo magiging mahusay. Siguro, magiging masunurin kayo; pero hindi kayo huhusay, kasi sunod lang kayo nang sunod. Dapat kami iyong ginagawa namin, sinisiguro namin na na-eexplore niyo iyong lahat ng opportunities na available, na wina-widen namin iyong horizons niyo para maging mahusay kayo sa mas mahusay.”

At 5:30 pm, the Vice President proceeded to the Batan Rural Improvement Club (BRIC) Rural Women’s Month Culminating Activity in JDL Memorial Complex, Batan. BRIC is a workers association organized in 2011 that is primarily aimed at empowering rural women to be active and effective contributors to family welfare and community development. The products of the different BRIC chapters also showcased in an Agri-Food Fair & Art Exhibit in the event venue.

In her message, the Vice President emphasized the need to provide economic empowerment to women so that they may carve a niche for themselves and be free from restraints that prevent them from realizing their own opportunities. “Kaya sinabi ko po sa sarili ko, dapat kung tutulong sa kababaihan, patungkol na sa economic empowerment o economic independence—na iyong babae, kapag mayroon siyang kita on her own, kahit hindi malaki, mas malakas iyong kaniyang loob. Na iyong babae, hindi niya kailangang hingiin iyong pambili niya ng damit sa kaniyang asawa, mas malakas iyong kaniyang loob. Na iyong babae, kapag alam niya na iyong hawak niyang pera, sarili niyang kita, mas mahal niya iyong kaniyang sarili. Kaya iyon po iyong aking pinaglaban nang matagal na panahon. At ngayon po na Pangalawang Pangulo na ako, pinaglalaban ko pa din.”