Office of the Vice President

3 August 2017

Nanay Judith Salarda, a mother of six, is far from what many Filipinos would consider lucky. Her home in Barangay NBBS of Navotas City, leans against a wall and is near collapse, and her husband, their family breadwinner, is about to lose his job because of the company’s bankruptcy.

But on Wednesday (August 2), she was lucky enough to meet Vice President Leni Robredo. During VP Leni’s visit to Navotas for her bi-monthly Metro Laylayan events, VP Leni chanced upon Nanay Judith’s home and went inside to ask her about her life, her struggles, and her needs.

Nanay Judith’s 3 children have asthma, and the Democratic Alliance Movement of the Philippines-International (DAMPI), in partnership with the Office of the Vice President (OVP), provided nebulizers for them.

DAMPI also provided groceries for the Salarda family, who used to own a sari-sari store. They had to close it down, but VP Leni recommended that they inquire with the OVP to aid them in reopening their store.

“Gusto nating matulungan silang mabuksan ulit iyong sari-sari store, pero hindi puwedeng basta lang iiwanan ng pera. Dapat mayroong financial literacy,” VP Leni said. “Dapat turuan sila ng turuan sila ng tamang pagnenegosyo. Dapat hindi dole-out; mayroong obligasyon na kailangang tuparin.”

Other Navoteños were able to inquire about legal issues with OVP partners Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas Chapter (IBP-CalMaNa).

The OVP also provided support for the Navotas Local Government’s Hanapbuhay Caravan initiative by providing free ID photo taking and printing, for applicant’s biodata. VP Leni reiterated the importance of education, and stated that the best support the OVP and the Navotas Local Government is employment: “Pero tingin ko iyong pinakatulong na maibibigay natin sa kanila, iyong hanapbuhay. Kasi ‘pag sila may sapat na hanapbuhay, maaalagaan nila iyong buong pamilya.”