By Raymund Antonio

On her 54th birthday, Vice President Leni Robredo will visit Marawi City on Tuesday for the launch of her “Ahon Laylayan” coalition.

Vice President Leni Robredo meets with some 2,000 representatives of multi-sectoral groups during the launch of Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon in the province of Romblon, held at the Romblon State University in Odiongan town on Friday, April 12, 2019. (Photo by OVP / ARNOLD ALMACEN / MANILA BULLETIN)

Robredo, a pro bono lawyer before becoming the country’s second top official, typically spends her “quiet” birthdays at her home or office in Quezon City. But not this time.

“Iyong Martes, nasa Marawi ako—Marawi, may Cagayan de Oro. Ito, mga ano ito, mga events ng opisina namin,” she said on her Sunday radio show, “BISERbisyong Leni.”

(On Tuesday, I will be in Marawi—Marawi, then Cagayan De Oro. These are the activities of our office.)
While she is in the Islamic city, the Vice President said she will also take the opportunity to campaign for the opposition “Otso Diretso” senatorial slate.

“Siguro habang nandoon, sa free time, gagamitin ko na rin para sa pagkampanya kasi sayang din at nandoon na,” Robredo, who is the leader of the opposition, said.

(Probably while I’m there, I will make use of my free time because it will be a waste if I will not campaign for them.)
The schedule of the Vice President has been jampacked for the past two months as she went on her own campaign for the eight-member opposition ticket. Just last week, she campaigned hard for Otso Diretso in her hometown of Naga City.

In Marawi City, she is expected do the same before members of the Ahon Laylayan coalition, mostly composed of representatives of different sectors.

The Office of the Vice President has been providing assistance to Marawi, which was among the beneficiaries of its flagship anti-poverty program, Angay Buhay, even before and after the 2017 siege.

Robredo’s office built the 60 temporary shelters in Angat Buhay Village for the displaced Marawi residents. It was a joint project of the OVP, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, and the Marawi city government.

Angat Buhay and its partners have also provided relief assistance, livelihood opportunities, medicines, hygiene kits, and school supplies for affected families.

“Iyong tinitingnan namin ngayon iyong pag-build ng additional na houses at saka iyong livelihood noong mga tao doon, hindi lang doon sa village na tinayo natin pero iyong mga evacuees, iyong mga IDPs na binalik na doon sa Barangay Sagonsongan,” she said.

(We are looking into the construction of additional houses and livelihood of the people there, not only in the village we built, but also the evacuees, IDPs, who returned in Barangay Sagonsongan.)