VICE President Sara Duterte spent her first 100 days trying to strengthen the country’s bilateral relationship with other countries by holding engagements with the diplomatic corps and foreign officials since assuming office last July 1.
In a statement, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said Duterte has already met with the ambassadors from Australia, Italy, Ireland, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, the European Union, Qatar, India, and the United States at the OVP Central Office and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The statement said Duterte received a courtesy call from the State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi on July 6, where both officials discussed education and other priority areas of cooperation between the Philippines and China.
The topics discussed during courtesy calls with the different ambassadors to the Philippines included bilateral relations between the Philippines and their countries, including deepening or exploring possible cooperation in the areas of education, culture, and technology.
The Vice President also visited the Japanese and British Ambassadors’ residences to convey her condolences on the deaths of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Queen Elizabeth II.
Last September 25 to 28, the Duterte embarked on her first foreign official visit to Tokyo, Japan as the President’s Special Envoy to the State Funeral for Abe.
In her trip to Japan, Duterte was joined by “Trix,” a Grade 9 student from Dinalupihan, Bataan and her mother “Jen” for the “You Can Be VP” project of the OVP that aims to inspire learners to “dream big and aim high.”
The Vice President also met with members of the Filipino community to convey the President and the country’s well wishes to Filipinos in Japan.
Duterte has also attended various events in 16 provinces in the country, covering 20 cities and municipalities and three islands.
Duterte’s travels across the country were all for official engagements — for the implementation of OVP-led programs and activities, and as guest of honor in other local governments’ undertakings.
The Vice President, as concurrent secretary of the DepEd, also made sure to have school visits during her out-of-town trips to personally evaluate situations of learning institutions. The initiative has enabled the teaching force to have meaningful discussions with Duterte to address the sector’s concerns.
Duterte had likewise visited Clarin National School of Fisheries in Bohol which was badly affected by typhoon Odette in 2021.
She also went to the Triana Elementary School on Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte during the launching of her OVP ‘PagbaBAGo’ program last August 10.
She also visited the Catbalogan IV Central Elementary School in Samar; Dinalupihan Elementary School, St. John Academy, and Pagalanggang National High School in Dinalupihan, Bataan; Don Pedro Vazquez Memorial School in Jordan, Guimaras; Lipata Elementary School in Caramoan, Camarines Sur; Amas National High School in Kidapawan, Cotabato; Siquijor Integrated School in Siquijor Island; and the Bangued North Elementary School in Bangued, Abra.
KALUSUGAN FOOD TRUCKS
Meanwhile, the OVP yesterday announced it will soon deploy “Kalusugan Food Trucks” to address malnutrition among schoolchildren.
Norman Baloro, head of the Local Affairs and Special Programs Division, said the undertaking will help address the nutritional challenges of children in communities.
“The OVP Kalusugan Food Truck is a program that seeks to help children suffering from malnutrition, hunger, and poor development,” Baloro said, adding that the program will be implemented in collaboration with the DepEd and the Department of Health through the National Nutrition Council.
The food trucks will be deployed in identified schools and institutions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and will follow a 120-day feeding program menu.
“We target nine schools in a year (three schools each in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao), considering that 120 days is prescribed by the National Nutrition Council,” Baloro said.
The food trucks will also be used as augmentation resource that will serve food for victims of calamities.
“Our food trucks will also serve as mobile kitchen during calamities as part of our disaster operations,” he said.
