Charles Teves
Kakampinks were more than happy to hear that Vice President Leni Robredo’s Angat Buhay program will continue as a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Robredo announced the initiative at the Ateneo De Manila University’s thanksgiving party following Bongbong Marcos’ apparent win in the presidential race. The Angat Buhay NGO will commence on July 1, a day after she leaves office.
“Itutuloy tuloy natin ang pagsasama-sama. Bubuin natin ang pinakamalawak na volunteer network sa kasaysayan ng bansa,” she told the thousands who attended.
The program was launched in 2016 to help fight poverty. It was designed to have the public and private sectors coalesce and address poor families’ necessities.
Robredo promised that “we will continue helping those in the marginalized sectors and make contributions to uplift their lives.”
“Ipapakita natin ang buong pwersa ng radikal na pagmamahal. Ito ngayon ang hamon sa atin: ang panatilihing magkarugtong ang ating mga bisig,” she added.
She said volunteerism “must not die” in order for the program to stay alive.
“Ang pinakalayunin ng gobyernong tapat ay ang pag-angat ng buhay ng lahat,” she added.
Robredo supporters were delighted by the announcement.
Nakaka-excite ang Angat Buhay NGO! In Albay alone, Albay Lawyers for Leni are already planning to regroup as a legal aid center that aims to provide free legal assistance to the marginalized, conduct free trainings to educate voters, fight disinformation and empower people. 🫶
— Diane💗🌸 (@MaeDianeAzores) May 14, 2022
ANGAT BUHAY NGO 🤍🤍🤍
Count me in ✨
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) May 13, 2022
Leni gets it. A disengaged citizenry will only embolden authoritarianism. Transforming the movement into the biggest volunteer network this country has ever seen is not only a social intervention. It is a political statement. ✊
— Jayeel Cornelio (@jayeel_cornelio) May 13, 2022
With the Angat Buhay NGO, I can really say that it is no longer an election campaign. This has transcended to a movement, an advocacy that is bigger than any political candidate. Happy to have witnessed this in my lifetime. #LeniKikoPasasalamat #TayoAngLiwanag
— K Manuel (@theklmanuel) May 13, 2022
No good bye, just see you later. Angat Buhay Foundation. ALL IN. ✨
— Gabriel Valenciano (@gabvalenciano) May 13, 2022
Eto na nga… 💕 pic.twitter.com/vzJXOdnZaw
— Yeng Constantino (@YengPLUGGEDin) May 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/pokwang27/status/1525110980526903301?s=20&t=bSTEeZcQ4I8Tve6SGbcOJQ
The creation of an NGO by VP Leni is a master stroke! Next government will be challenged.
— FrNongnong (@iskrukutoy) May 13, 2022
The camp of Marcos doesn’t see anything wrong with Robredo’s plan.
“Okay naman ‘yun. Karapatan naman ng lahat ng tao na mag-organisa at gumawa ng anumang layunin nila,” said Atty. Vic Rodriguez.
“Basta yung amin, ‘yung ating mga kalayaan, may kaakibat na responsibilidad. For as long as you are exercising your rights within the bounds of the law, sa tingin ko rerespetuhin yan ng kahit na sinong demokratikong pamahalaan at pamumuno kagaya ni incoming president Bongbong,” he added.
