Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Wednesday (September 24) the agency is strengthening its Pag-abot program as a preemptive measure to prevent the influx of vulnerable groups in Metro Manila, especially during the Christmas season.
“Sometimes there are syndicated groups, like in the case of Badjao and Aeta. So we are still working with the law enforcement agencies to make sure. Pero meron kaming ginagawang preemptive, like in the case of our Aeta communities, we spoke to them. And na realize namin na it’s also about economic grants,” Secretary Gatchalian told the Senate Finance Sub-Committee chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano during the budget hearing on the proposed 2026 DSWD budget.
The DSWD Secretary explained that the Department has been reaching out directly to communities that often travel to Metro Manila, especially during the holidays.
Through the Pag-abot Program, complemented by other programs of the DSWD, the agency has been providing carabaos and farm tools to the Aeta communities in Pampanga and Tarlac to help them cultivate their lands.
“So that’s why nag-aakyat kami ng mga kalabaw, mga ibang farming inputs ngayon sa Pampanga and Tarlac in these Aeta communities to make sure na preemptive. Wag na po kayong bumaba during Christmas, doon na tayo maghanap buhay,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Secretary Gatchalian said similar efforts are underway for Badjao communities in Zamboanga, noting that the Department is intensifying interventions ahead of December when syndicates usually make a killing from alms givers.
“That’s why we’re also planning to do—we’re doing it already in Zamboanga and we’re intensifying it kasi there are really syndicated groups that operate during this season, but we’ll try to do the preventive and the proactive step before December strikes,” the DSWD chief said.
Senator Bong Go, in response to the DSWD chief, underscored the importance of giving displaced families opportunities in their home provinces to prevent them from returning to the streets of Metro Manila.
“Itong nabanggit niyo po kanina Secretary Rex, itong Pag-abot program, parang Balik Probinsya talaga ‘to. Pinalawak nyo lang. Ang paalala ko lang sa inyo rito talagang bigyan nyo sila ng bagong pag-asa, pag umuwi talaga sa probinsya. ‘Yung totohanan talaga na mabigyan sila ng kabuhayan doon, mga pinangako ng gobyerno na hindi sila mapapabayaan kasi kung hindi babalik na naman yan dito,” Senator Go said.
Senator Go expressed support for the 2026 budget of the DSWD emphasizing that the vulnerable sectors really depend on the agency’s services.
The Pag-abot Program, which was started by the DSWD in 2023 and institutionalized through Executive Order (EO) No. 52 in January 2024, has so far reached out to more than 7,000 families and individuals in street situations (FISS). Of which, more than 6,000 have been reintegrated to their communities or places of origin. (YADP)
