The Department of Social Welfare and Development‘s (DSWD) Pag-abot Program has expanded its reach-out operations across Metro Manila in recent weeks, enabling families and individuals in street situations (FISS) to transition toward safer living conditions and improved livelihood opportunities.
One of the Pag-abot beneficiaries, Melanie Sulitan, shared her challenges during more than a decade of selling food on the streets.
“Pinaka mahirap yung hinahabol ka ng huli. Bawal ka diyan, bawal ka dito. Matagal na ‘kong vendor… 12 years na kong nagtitinda. Ang mababaon ko ay ‘yong tulong na ibinigay sa akin ng DSWD, kung hindi dahil sa kanila [Pag-abot program], wala akong ganito (sari-sari store) ngayon,” Melanie said.
Melanie is grateful for the livelihood assistance she received from the Pag-abot program as she now will celebrate Christmas with a livelihood in her own home with her family.
“Sir (Secretary Rex) Gatchalian, nagpapasalamat ako ng lubos sayo. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, sa mga staff, sa DSWD, di ko marating to. Maraming maraming salamat po,” an emotional Melanie said.
The Pag-abot Program intensified its reach-out operations in anticipation of an increase in the number of children, individuals, and families staying on the streets during the Christmas season.
In November, the program successfully reached-out a total of 945 FISS who have long endured unsafe street conditions.
They are among the total 9,466 reached-out beneficiaries of the Pag-abot Program to date.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, highlighted the growing commitment to ensure consistent and responsive interventions for vulnerable street-dwelling populations.
“Patuloy ang pagpapalakas ng Pag-abot Program para masigurong bawat indibidwal at bawat pamilya sa kalsada ay may access sa proteksyon at suporta. Hindi titigil ang DSWD sa paglikha ng mas epektibong mekanismo para maabot ang mas maraming nangangailangan,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Wednesday (December 10).
Asst. Secretary Dumlao reiterated the DSWD’s long-term commitment to improving service delivery under Pag-abot.
“Ang pangako ng DSWD ay tuloy-tuloy na pagpapabuti ng programa—mula sa reach out hanggang sa reintegration—para masigurong sustainable ang pagbabago sa buhay ng mga benepisyaryo. Mas malawak, mas mabilis, at mas sistematiko ang magiging Pag-abot operations sa mga susunod na buwan,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The Pag-abot Program continues to scale up its efforts to provide immediate assistance, livelihood opportunities, and pathways to safer homes for its target beneficiaries across Metro Manila. (KI)
