The Department of Social Welfare and Development‘s (DSWD) Pag-abot Program, has reiterated its appeal to the public to refrain from giving alms to children in street situations, homeless individuals, and members of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) groups, especially during the holiday season.
“Alam po natin ang ating mga kababayan, ngayong Ber months, ay talaga pong natural na mapagbigay, tumutulong, nagbibigay ng tulong, maawain. Iyon po yung gusto nating i-correct at i-educate yung ating public na hindi po tamang magbigay ng tulong o ng limos sa kalsada. Mayroon po tayong mga proper channels o venues para po magbigay ng kanilang tulong o donasyon,” Pag-abot Program OIC-Division Chief (DC) Jennifer Casañas in her interview with DZMM’s ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ on Saturday (September 27).
DC Casañas emphasized that one of the proper platforms to help families and individuals in street situations (FISS) is through the agency’s Pag-abot Program, which operates all year round.
“Ito po ay mainstay program na po ng DSWD, ibig sabihin hindi po tayo tumatakbo seasonal. Araw-araw po talaga tayong nagri-reach out activity sa mga target LGUs (local government units) po natin, and even nationwide,” the Pag-abot Program DC told program anchors.
The Pag-abot Program, which started in 2023 and institutionalized through Executive Order (EO) No. 52 in January 2024, provides a wide-array of comprehensive interventions, as well as opportunities, to improve the social and economic status and fundamental rights of the target clientele.
DC Casañas pointed out that the program utilizes the rights-based approach in reaching out to people living and staying on the streets.
“Sa Pag-abot Program, naka-anchor po tayo sa rights-based approach…ayaw po natin yung sapilitan na o pwersahan. Gusto po natin maipaliwanag sa kanila ng ating mga social workers and development workers na mapanganib at hindi po safe na mamuhay sa lansangan,” DC Casañas explained.
Concerned citizens may report sightings of FISS to the Pag-abot Program through their email, [email protected] or through their Facebook page, DSWD Pag-abot Program.
As of latest data, the Pag-abot Program has already profiled around 14,000 individuals, and reached out to more than 7,000 FISS.
Of the total, more than 6,000 have received necessary interventions such as livelihood assistance, temporary shelter, and counseling, among others.
The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ is aired over DZMM Teleradyo 630 every Saturday from 11 am to 12 noon, and anchored by veteran broadcaster Alvin Elchico with Jet Guevarra of the DSWD’s Public Relations Service as co-anchor. (AKDL)
