Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the reach out operation of the Pag-abot Program early morning of Friday (May 23) along NIA Road in Quezon City.
“Simula 2023 noong sumali ako sa Departamento, isa sa mandato ng mahal na Pangulo, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, ay masiguro na walang pamilyang Pilipino na naiiwan, lahat dapat natutulungan ng DSWD. Primary diyan yung mga pamilyang nasa lansangan, kasi sabi ko nga kung may mahirap na pamilyang Pilipino sila na siguro yung pinaka mahirap na pamilyang Pilipino,” Secretary Gatchalian said in an interview over GMA’s Unang Balita sa Unang Hirit.
A total of 13 families with 29 members, and 9 individuals in street situations (FISS) were convinced by the DSWD chief to be reached out, emphasizing the government’s commitment to help them by providing temporary shelter, bringing them back to their places of origin, and providing them with immediate assistance and long-term interventions.
“Una sa lahat, ‘yung tulong natin syempre basic shelter. Sabi nga ng Pangulo, walang pamilyang Pilipino ang dapat nakatira sa lansangan o sa tabing daan. So, ang una natin [gagawin] bibigyan natin sila ng pansamantalang titirahan. Nandun sa processing center, nandun rin natin nilalagay ang temporary shelter natin,” the DSWD chief said in another interview over Super Radyo DZBB.
Apart from temporary shelter and reintegration to their communities, the DSWD also provides economic assistance, depending on the identified needs of the FISS.
“Ibabalik natin sila sa kanilang mga komunidad, sa kanilang mga pamilya kung saan man ‘yon sa kanilang mga probinsya, pero
hindi sila ibabalik ng walang kasamang economic na tulong. Alam naman natin marami sa kanila kaya napilitan tumira sa lansangan kasi walang hanapbuhay,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
For instance, one of the reached out individuals shared that he is saving money for possible employment.
“Dito ngayon papasok yung livelihood grant ng DSWD. Aalamin namin, ano ba ang gusto nila? Magkaroon ng sarili din na pagkakaabalahan sa kanilang mga tahanan? Or katulad ng isa na nakausap natin kanina nag-iipon siya para makapag-apply ng
trabaho. So, bibilisan natin yun, tutulungan natin siya ng tulong pinansyal para makapag-apply siya ng trabaho,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
According to the DSWD chief, the Oplan Pag-abot uses a rights-based approach, ensuring that the reach-out procedure continues
to adhere to human rights protocols.
“Bagamat hindi ako social worker, after two and a half years, naririnig ko ‘tong approach na ‘to sa mga social workers natin hindi mo talaga pwedeng tigilan. You have to convince them na mas maganda ang alternatibo na ibinibigay ng pamahalaan,” the DSWD chief said.
Signed on January 18, 2024, the Pag-abot Program became one of the government’s flagship programs through Executive Order No.52.
The EO institutionalized the program as a platform for an enhanced and unified delivery of services to vulnerable and disadvantaged children, individuals, and families in street situations, through the provision of social safety nets and protection against risks brought about by poverty. (YADP)