Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday (August 21) assured the public that the agency is ready to help persons in need of assistance even if they do not have referral letters from public officials.

“Mayroon kasi tayong policy sa DSWD na lahat ng pupunta sa aming tanggapan, whether may referral o walang referral, basta nangangailangan at tumuntong sa aming tanggapan, tutulungan at tutulungan natin,” the DSWD chief said in an interview with Congress media shortly before the agency’s scheduled
budget deliberation at the House of Representatives.

Secretary Gatchalian also responded to the concern raised by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio during the budget hearing on the 2025 proposed budget of the Office of the Vice-President at the Senate on Tuesday (August 20) regarding the alleged politicizing of government assistance.

“Ang gagawin namin is to get in touch with her office to get the full details para ma-imbestigahan namin kung may infraction na nagawa ang aming tao,” Secretary Gatchalian said. #