“Ang utos ng Presidente, tulungan ang hindi kayang tulungan ang kanilang mga sarili.”
This was highlighted by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian in a no-holds-barred interview last June 19 over the program ‘Long Take’ with Ces Drilon, where he explained the rationale behind the agency’s Pag-abot Program for families and individuals in street situations or FISS.
Secretary Gatchalian told anchor Ces Drilon that the program started in 2023 based on the directive of President R. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. that no Filipino families must be left behind by the government, especially the FISS.
From 2023 to date, social workers of the Pag-abot Program has reached out to at least 5,000 out of the 10,000 FISS monitored in the National Capital Region.
“Pag-abot since 2023, when I joined the Department, ang instruction ng Presidente, walang Pilipino dapat nakatira sa lansangan,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
According to the DSWD chief, the Department employs more than 100 social workers who go around Metro Manila on a 24/7 schedule to reach out to FISS, whether on the streets, under the skyways, on flyovers or even under bridges.
As part of the process, the social workers talk to the FISS and invite them to avail of the Pag-abot program. Those willing to avail of the interventions of the Pag-abot Program will be taken to the processing center in Pasay City for a comprehensive assessment of needs.
Secretary Gatchalian also addressed the recent hype about Rose, the “imburnal girl”, and responded to the question on whether the Department felt duped or “nabudol” in the aftermath of the viral ‘memes’ and social media posts about the issue.
“Hindi kami nabudol because lahat to dumadaan sa assessment ng social worker. Hindi naman, yung Php80,000, hindi nanggaling yun sa hangin. Since 2023, naka-publish yung mga memo circular namin kung ano yung range ng tulong na puwede ibigay,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
The information about the substance abuse of Rose is also known to the Department through the assessment and case management portfolio done by the social worker. Due to the confidentiality of the information and the goal of the Department to bring dignity back to every FISS beneficiary, this was not disclosed to the public.
“Alam namin that mayroon siyang substance abuse habits, alam yan ng social worker. And part of the conditionality, kasi itong Php80,000 may conditionality, dapat magkaroon ng active steps towards rehabilitating,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.
The Department also conducts validation visits and ensures that the assistance provided is in tranches, and spent as intended, according to the DSWD chief.
“The DSWD is not just in line of giving you cash. This is a holistic program to give you back hope, self-worth, self-respect, dignity,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The DSWD chief noted that the focus of public scrutiny was on Rose, but she is just one among the thousands reached out and assisted by Pag-abot social workers.
On a positive note, Secretary Gatchalian narrated a success story of a Pag-abot Program beneficiary who was assisted in returning to Zamboanga and who now runs a successful ‘Pares’ business in his hometown.
The DSWD chief also visits other Pag-abot beneficiaries as part of the Secretary’s role to listen to the needs of the FISS.
“Hindi lang napi-feature but you can fact check. Merong social media page ang Pag-abot ng DSWD, pinuntahan ko rin yung mga Aeta na binigyan namin ng kalabaw. Kasi, I wanted to understand, ba’t kalabaw ba ang hihingin niyo…and to develop things and to develop programs, you have to learn to listen,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The DSWD chief expressed appreciation to all recommendations, suggestions, and even criticisms which can form part of program enhancements and which gave the Department the platform to share the gains of Pag-abot. (GDVF)