Robredo to stop her programs on May 31 for transition with new VP Sara Duterte

By Edward Era Barbacena

Citing the transition to the country’s incoming second highest official, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) announced on Monday, May 23, its medical assistance and Bayanihan E-Konsulta programs will last only until the end of the month on May 31.

A Facebook post from Vice President Leni Robredo’s office said it will stop accepting applications for medical and burial assistance starting on June 1.

“Ito po ay upang maging maayos ang pag-transition at pag-turnover ng programa sa susunod na bise presidente (This is meant to ensure the smooth transition and turnover of the programs of the next vice president),” the OVP said.

“Makakaasa po kayong babalikan kayo agad ng Tanggapan para sa mga updates ukol dito (You can be rest assured that the office will get back to you with updates about this),” the post read.

Robredo’s office will also end its pandemic-era Bayanihan E-Konsulta service on Tuesday, May 31.

The free telemedicine consultation was launched in April last year during the outbreak of the Covid-19.

It was powered by medical and non-medical volunteers, such as doctors and nurses, and aimed to serve Covid and non-Covid patients in the National Capital Region (NCR) and neighboring provinces.

“Taos-puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nakiisa sa inisyatibo nating ito upang makapaghatid ng kinakailangang tulong medikal sa ating mga kababayan ngayong panahon ng Covid-19 pandemic (We wholeheartedly thank everyone who joined in this initiative to deliver the needed medical services to our fellowmen at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic),” the Facebook page of the Bayanihan e-Konsulta said.

It thanked all the volunteer doctors, nurses, and other medical and non-medical professionals who spent their time and skills for the program.

“Hindi matatawaran ang inyong dedikasyon, sakripisyo, at serbisyo sa publiko. Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa mga partners na nakipagbayanihan sa atin para makarating sa mas marami pa ang Bayanihan E-Konsulta (Your dedication, sacrifices, and service to the public is incomparable. We are also thanking our partners who worked with us so the Bayanihan E-Konsulta can reach out to more people),” the post added.

Aside from providing free telemedicine consultation, the OVP also sent Covid-19 kits that included basic medicines, thermometer, oximeter, vitamins, and face masks.

“Sama-sama, pinatunayan natin: Walang imposible sa taumbayang nagkakaisa para iangat ang kaniyang kapwa (Together, we proved: Nothing is impossible with people who united to uplift their fellowmen),” the post said.

Robredo, who is currently in New York with her daughters after attending youngest daughter Jillian’s college graduation there, lost to presumed president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by 16 million votes.