Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, together with agency social workers, visited on Friday (January 17) the family of the college student who went viral after a video of her being manhandled by a security guard spread on social media.
During the visit, Asst. Secretary Dumlao personally handed the Php20,000 initial assistance of the agency to the girl’s mother.
The social workers also interviewed the mother to get and validate information about their family and assess their situation to determine what other interventions may be provided.
DSWD extends initial aid to family of viral college student selling sampaguita outside mall
On instructions of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the agency has provided initial aid to the family of the college student who was seen being manhandled by a security guard in a video that has since gone viral in social media.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, personally handed over Php20,000 to Nanay Judith, the mother of the viral sampaguita girl named Jeny, 22, who was at the school during the house visit of DSWD social workers.
“Nanay, ito pong ipinaabot namin sa iyo ay initial pa lamang. Sabi po ng case manager natin, babalik sya at mag-iinterview sya para humingi ng additional information kasi gusto rin po namin kayong matulungan,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said as she handed over the cash assistance during the case management interview with the family on Friday (January 17).
According to Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the DSWD social workers will further assess the situation of the family to determine what other interventions may be provided, such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
“Gusto po namin kayong matulungan, baka pwede kayo sa SLP namin para mapalago pa natin ang inyong sampaguita [business],” the DSWD spokesperson said.
During the interview conducted by the agency social worker, Nanay Judith said their household was a former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary but has graduated from the program since the youngest child is already 19 years old.
Nanay Judith said Jeny is currently a first year student taking up Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.
Nanay Judith told social workers Jeny is striving to finish her studies, the reason why the college student sells sampaguita after her classes.
“Kaya sila nagsusumikap na magtinda, doon sila kumukuha ng baon at pamasahe. Tapos ang iba ay itatabi nila para pagdating ng babayarin [sa school] ay mayroon silang pagkukunan,” Nanay Judith said.
Nanay Judith also said she makes the sampaguita herself and her children and husband, Tatay Joel, are the ones selling the product.
The mother of the college student said the viral video happened last December 2024, before Christmas.
The parents of Jeny also confirmed that they will not file charges against the security guard.
“On the part of the DSWD, lagi po nating sinasabi na hindi po natin tino-tolerate ang gender-based violence. Dapat ay there is a collective effort on the part of the private and public sectors na protektahan at pangalagaan ang karapatan ang well-being ng bawat isa,” Asst. Secretary Dumalo said.
