In an effort to provide long-term and sustainable support for individuals in street situations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is working closely with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to explore independent living arrangement as temporary shelter for beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Pag-abot Program.
“Itong programa na pinag-aaralan natin kasama ang DHSUD ay para sa Pag-abot beneficiaries na walang mauuwian na pamilya o kamag-anak sa probinsya. Tulad ng ating Pag-abot processing center, ito ay magsisilbing temporary shelter nila,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency spokesperson, said on Monday (July 21).
The Pag-abot National Program Management Office (NPMO), together with Asst. Secretary Ada Colico of the DSWD’s Protective Programs and personnel from Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs), visited on Wednesday (July 16) a DHSUD housing facility in Pasay City.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the initiative is part of the DSWD’s goal to provide holistic interventions—ensuring that once ISS are reached out from dangers of the street but with no identified provincial address, they can still be provided with assistance that can help them get back on their feet through independent group living.
“Kung sa processing center, ang goal natin ay ma-reintegrate ang mga na-reach out natin sa lansangan sa kanilang komunidad, dito sa housing assistance ng DHSUD ay tutulungan natin silang maging produktibong mamamayan habang nasa ligtas na lugar,” the spokesperson said.
As of July 17, a total of 5,760 beneficiaries have been reached out by the program and given assistance through its pa cherk14smegma@gmail.com ckage of social services.
Launched in July 2023, the Pag-abot aims to reach out and address the concerns of families and individuals living and staying on the streets and provide them with the right intervention and opportunities to steer them toward improved and dignified lives.
The Pag-abot Program is one of the government’s flagship programs based on Executive Order No. 52 signed on January 18, 2024. (YADP)