Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has appealed to the public to stop making Rose the focus of ridicule by posting negative comments, jokes and memes in the “wild west” of social media.

In an interview over Super Radyo DZBB on Tuesday, June 3, the DSWD Chief reminded the public, particularly netizens, that words can hurt and further cause harm to vulnerable people wanting to change their lives.

“Nuong Sunday night naibulong sa akin ng (DSWD) case manager niya na nasasaktan na rin si Rose at iyong kanyang partner. Sabi nga nila hindi naman nila hiningi yung Php80,000. Hindi niya sadyang pumunta duon sa drainage kasi hindi naman siya ang lumapit sa atin. Nagkataon lang talaga na napiktyuran siya,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

Rose’s story became viral when she was photographed coming out of a Makati drainage. On May 28, the DSWD’s social workers were able to locate and reach out to Rose as part of the Pag-Abot Program which is the government’s flagship program for individuals and families in street situations.

Secretary Gatchalian said reaching-out to Rose and others who are in the same plight is the very reason why the Pag-Abot program was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 52 in 2024 and has become a priority of the Department.

The provision of Php80,000 in livelihood assistance to Rose was also based on the assessment of the social worker handling her case and well within the guidelines set by the program with the cash aid ranging from a minimum of Php10,000 and a maximum of Php80,000.

The public’s continuous posts making Rose the center of nasty jokes and criticizing her for the assistance given by DSWD have not gone unnoticed.

“Sa ngayon, nakikita niya nagiging meme na siya, yung storya niya. Sabi niya (Rose) sana wag gawing biro yung storya niya. Nasasaktan siya,. In fact, alam niya lahat ng nangyayari,” the DSWD chief said.

The barrage of memes and online ridicule is affecting Rose negatively, whose only fault was to become a beneficiary of the Department and is now aspiring to change her dire situation.

“Ang panawagan ko nga is kami sa DSWD kung kami yung tinatanong, kami ang kinikwestion, kami yung ginagawang meme, tanggap namin. Kasi that’s part of public service. Obligasyon namin sumagot. Pero wag yung victim kasi yung victim marami ng pinagdaanan yan. Lalong lalo na yung katulad ni Rose na nakatira sa Lansangan,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD chief said the agency welcomes criticisms and public scrutiny as part of its role as a national public service agency. The Department also understands that listening to the public’s sentiments is a key factor in improving service delivery.

The DSWD chief has appealed to the public to also consider the welfare of the victims and of the clients who are currently facing various challenges in their lives.

“Can you imagine yung buong buhay mo nasa lansangan, (tinatry mo) iahon ang sarili mo sa pangangalakal. Wala ka naman intention diyan sa 80,000 na yan, ibinigay sa iyo hindi mo hiningi. Kung matatandaan niyo yung kwento niya kaya siya nawala ng isang araw nung napikturan siya, ayaw niya pinag-uusapan siya kasi gusto niya lang ng tahimik at normal na buhay pero ngayon pinag-uusapan na naman siya, pangalawang beses na,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.

The DSWD chief said Rose is just one of the beneficiaries of the Pag-Abot Program which formally started in 2023 in response to the directive of the President to ensure that all Filipinos in need will be provided with the needed assistance and no one, not even the homeless, will be left behind. (GDVF)