As the office requested a P10 million (US$177,248) investment in the 2025 national budget to provide the book to students, the Office of the Vice President disputed Vice President Sara Duterte’s children’s book on Wednesday.
OVP spokesperson, Atty. Michael Wesley Poa stated that the Vice President’s book “Isang Kaibigan” was released in November of last year and is being utilized as an educational instrument to promote reading. He claimed Duterte, who formerly worked as the education secretary, made use of the book throughout her storytelling portion while visiting schools.
“The very purpose of the book is reading and to be honest, pagdating sa larangan ng budget, I think there’s a bigger discourse than just the book. Maganda naman ang hangarin ng libro…We need to improve ‘yung reading ng learners,” he stated during a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.
Vice President Duterte disclosed that she will seek P10 million in next year’s budget for distributing the book to students.
Poa pointed out that the Vice President intends to provide copies of “Isang Kaibigan” to students next year, together with school bags and school supplies.
“Itong book na ito ay parte po ito ng Pagbabago bags, ito ‘yung schoolbags na binibigay natin sa ating mga learners. May laman na school suppies and dental kits. Isasama na rin next year ‘yung libro,” Poa said.
Photo courtesy: Politiko