Angat Buhay marks first anniversary

MANILA, Philippines — Former vice president Leni Robredo yesterday led the celebration of the first anniversary of Angat Buhay Foundation, the non-government organization she founded and chaired after the end of her term last year.

Speaking at the gathering of volunteers and institutional partners in Taguig, Robredo highlighted the milestones achieved by the organization since it was founded.

She also expressed gratitude to volunteers and partners, noting that more work needs to be done to achieve the goals of Angat Buhay.

According to a report released by the organization, a total of 20,131 families and another 15,636 individuals across 176 communities have been supported by Angat Buhay since it was founded.

Bayanihan e-Konsulta, the foundation’s flagship telemedicine program, assisted 7,706 unique patients with the help of 285 medical volunteers and at least 1,000 non-medical volunteers.

At least 1,214 underweight and severely underweight children are also enrolled in the foundation’s nutrition program, which is present in seven sites across the country.

Angat Buhay also established 137 learning hubs to help non-readers and numeracy-challenged learners, benefitting at least 5,000 students.

It also finished the construction and turnover of dormitories in Infanta, Quezon and Camarines Norte, as well as several classrooms in Camarines Sur and Maasin, Iloilo.

More than 20,000 families affected by natural and man-made disasters from 93 displaced and affected communities were also given immediate relief and assistance and rehabilitation initiatives over the past year.

“We are just getting started,” said Raffy Magno, executive director of Angat Buhay. “Angat Buhay is now a movement, and we are sending a message to millions of Filipinos that they are not alone in demanding meaningful participation. Angat Buhay embodies the aspiration of the Filipino who has faith in oneself and in the power of volunteerism.”

Also last year, Robredo launched the Angat Bayanihan, a volunteer network that aims to empower people’s organizations and help them give back to their respective communities.

Since then, Angat Bayanihan has mobilized 188 grassroots organizations and 13,705 individual volunteers. The network has conducted community kitchens, medical missions and relief distribution.

Robredo urged institutional partners to also support the grassroots organizations, saying they are key to achieving the goal of reaching to those in the fringes of the society.