Vice President Sara Duterte graces the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry's 50th Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Pasay City on October 22, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday that development programs aimed to uplift the lives of the ordinary Filipinos hold greater significance than dole-outs or mere financial aid.

This is amid the current administration's extensive distribution of financial assistance across the country to help Filipinos make ends meet. 

Duterte responded when asked by the media in Butuan City whether the assistance will continue next year, considering that their budget is being scrutinized by the Senate and Congress. 

‘Malacañang-sponsored’ Trillanes attacks vs Duterte a ‘hallucination’, says Palace  

"Sa Office of the Vice President, wala kaming ayuda. Pag mayroong humihingi sa amin ng ayuda, we usually refer it to DSWD because ang prinsipyo namin, hindi dapat ayuda ang ibinibigay sa tao na nangangailangan, dapat binibigyan siya ng mapayapang pamumuhay, oportunidad para makapag-negosyo, oportunidad para makapaghanap ng trabaho," she said. 

However, the vice president said they also have medical assistance, as well as grocery packs, which will be given in time for gift-giving this Christmas season. 

Duterte believes that good governance is still essential to the progress of the country. 

"We still believe, and it is our platform, and it is in our budget na good governance is the key to nation building. So hindi nasusolusyonan ng ayuda yung problema ng mga tao lalong lalo na sa mga kapos ang pang araw-araw, lalo na sa kawalan ng trabaho, at safety and security and well-being ng tao," she said. 

Duterte retracts 'extrajudicial confession of guilt' over drug war  

Duterte also recalled her stint as Davao City mayor, when they focused on implementing peace and development programs rather than dole-outs. 

"Isa pa pud sa akoang kuan nianing ayuda kay mura ba siya'g insulto sa kawad-on sa tao nga mura ba'g, 'Wala man ka, o P5,000 lang imoha, human na ta.' Murag ingon ana ba. Sa panan-aw nako, ang trabaho sa gobyerno, paniguraduhon nga dunay oportunidad ang mga tao kontra sa hatagan nimo siya og dole-out," she said. 

(Isa din sa nakikita ko nitong pagbibigay ng ayuda ay parang insulto siya sa kahirapan ng tao, na para bang, 'Wala ka naman, ito, P5,000 lang sa'yo. Tapos na tayo.' Parang ganon. Sa tingin ko, ang trabaho sa gobyerno dapat siguraduhin na mayroong oportunidad ang mga tao kaysa sa bibigyan mo siya ng dole-out.) 

Meanwhile, Duterte said that the Office of the Vice President will continue to bring aid, through their disaster operations center, in areas affected by series of tropical cyclones, such as Bicol region and Northern Luzon. 

Sara Duterte says she has not yet seen OVP receipts for 'Mary Grace Piattos' 

Humanitarian activities will continue, she said, despite the ongoing activities in line with the celebration of the 89th anniversary of the OVP. 

Regarding the House investigation into the office's budget, Duterte stated that it is up to the staff or officials to decide whether to attend, as they will also offer assistance if invited.

RELATED VIDEO: