By Brian Campued
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday provided P80,000 worth of livelihood assistance to “Rose,” the woman who emerged from a drainage in Makati City early this week, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to assist families or individuals living on the streets.
This as DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian checked Rose’s condition at the DSWD’s Pag-abot Center in Pasay City on Thursday, where the DSWD chief assured her of the government aid to help her start a “sari-sari” store.
“Pangarap daw niya kasing magkaroon ng tindahan at sa assessment ng ating social worker ay kaya naman niya,” Gatchalian said, as quoted in a press release.
According to Rose, she went into the sewer to recover a small blade cutter she uses for collecting recyclables.
The DSWD is also looking into training “Jerome,” Rose’s partner, in welding to help the couple earn a stable income, Gatchalian said.
Rose accompanied Gatchalian and DSWD personnel during a reach out operation in Makati City on Friday, where they convinced families and individuals in street situations (FISS) to take temporary shelter at the Pag-abot Center.
“Buong pusong tumutulong ngayon si Rose sa DSWD sa pakikipag-usap at paghikayat sa mga kagaya niyang matagal nang namamalagi sa kalsada, para mabigyan sila ng nararapat na tulong, proteksiyon, at interbensiyon mula sa ahensiya, alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” the DSWD said in a Facebook post.
Established in 2023, the Pag-abot Program provides various interventions to FISS before they are returned to their respective hometowns where they can start anew.
As of May 29, 2025, the Pag-abot Program has profiled a total 10,467 FISS and has reached out to around 5,354 children, families, and individuals in Metro Manila and Bulacan.
-jpv
