As homelessness remains a pressing social issue, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian gave a reassurance that the agency is relentless in reaching out to families and individuals in street situations (FISS) and extending appropriate support to give them a new lease on life.
In an interview aired over Frontline Pilipinas on Wednesday (March 5), Secretary Gatchalian said the DSWD has a package of social assistance under its “Pag-abot Program,” that addresses the circumstances of people in street situations.
“May temporary shelter naman kami para sa kanila. Tapos after a couple of weeks, iuuwi na natin sa kanilang mga probinsya na may kasamang economic grants. Ibig sabihin, tulong-pinansyal para makapagsimula muli sa kanilang mga probinsya,” the DSWD chief said when asked on the agency’s interventions for individuals in street situations.
Since the Pag-abot Program’s launch in 2023, around 2,992 families, 875 children, and 956 individuals have been reached out.
Of this number, 4,100 beneficiaries have been successfully reintegrated to their respective provinces.
Under this initiative, DSWD social workers regularly conduct profiling and reach out activities in the streets of Metro Manila to check on families and individuals in street situations and encourage them to be “reached out,” and be provided with a comprehensive package of services from the agency.
Reached-out beneficiaries are brought and facilitated at the Pag-abot Processing Center, a former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hub in Pasay City, to assess their needs.
To better strengthen this initiative from the Department, Director Marilyn Moral, OIC-Deputy Program Manager for the Pag-abot Program said the Walang Gutom Kitchen was established in the same building to provide free meals for homeless individuals and families.
The first ever food bank in the country, the Walang Gutom Kitchen plays a crucial role in establishing trust with Pag-abot\’s target clients and beneficiaries, while also boosting their confidence in the DSWD’s efforts and programs.
The facility is shared by Pag-abot personnel who facilitate individualized case management of clients, including assessment, intervention, planning and progress tracking of homeless individuals for their development.
“Ang maganda nga dito, ngayon, sila na mismo yung lumalapit, kumbaga dati tinatakbuhan pa tayo kapag nakikita ang ating mga staff na naka-red vest. Kapag sila ay nakausap ng ating mga Social Workers na naka-assign sa Walang Gutom Kitchen, kinukumbinsi sila na sumama sa program upang matulungang makauwi sa kanilang mga pamilya sa probinsya,” Director Moral explained.
“Hindi po ito sapilitan but of course, always hopeful tayo na ma-convince sila na ma-reach out. Importante na naipapakita natin that we are more than ready and capacitated na magbigay ng komprehensibong suporta na na-aangkop sa sitwasyon at pangangailangan nila,” Director Moral said.
The Pag-abot provides interventions such as, but not limited to, medical help, food aid, transportation and relocation assistance, livelihood opportunities, transitory family support packages, and emergency financial and transitory shelter assistance. (LSJ)