For a family that once lived on the streets of Marikina, their journey back to their province was more than just a change of environment, it has given them hope.

After their house in Marikina was demolished, the Diwa family faced the harsh reality of living on the streets.

The family of Ma. Rubelita Diwa, fondly known as Maria, became displaced and faced the bleak reality of having no steady income and nowhere to sleep.

This was their life until the Pag-abot Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reached out to them to offer them a better way.

Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to assist vulnerable and marginalized families, the DSWD implements the Pag-abot Program to help families and individuals in street situations (FISS).

Part of the program’s intervention is to facilitate the safe reintegration of the FISS in their community apart from providing them with livelihood assistance.

For the Diwa family, the community is their hometown in Bicol province.

In December 2025, through DSWD Field Office (FO) 5 – Bicol Region, the Diwa family was provided with transitory shelter assistance specifically meant to cover their rental needs while they secure a safe place to stay.

“Mula po nang matanggap ko ang livelihood na ibinigay po sa akin, ay talaga pong malaki po yung naitulong sa amin, sa pamilya namin at sa pagbabagong buhay ko kasi nagkaroon na po ako ng mga pangangailangan, katulad ng sa gamot po ng asawa ko, sa hanapbuhay ko, sa araw-araw na kinikita namin,” Maria stated.

To ensure they could sustain themselves in the province, the Department followed up in February 2026 by setting them up with a fish vending livelihood package to support their daily household expenses.

Having a steady source of income means she can finally afford to buy the essential medications required by her husband.

With tears in her eyes, she thanked the Department and the Pag-abot Program for the assistance she received.

“Natutuwa po, naiiyak po ako sa tuwa kasi kung hindi po dahil sa Pag-abot Program po baka andon parin po kami sa Marikina na walang hanapbuhay at nakatira sa lansangan kasi po nademolish po yung bahay po namin, kaya po sobra sobra pong pasalamat sa DSWD, sa Pag-abot, at saka kay Lord po na tinulungan po ako niya na magbagong buhay po dito sa probinsya, at sa lahat po ng mga staff na tumulong akin.” Maria said. # (KI)