Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is expanding the implementation of the Pag-abot Program to reach more individuals and families in street situations nationwide following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
According to Philippines News Agency, in his SONA, Marcos highlighted the DSWD's key social welfare initiatives for vulnerable sectors, including the Pag-abot Program, which was institutionalized under Executive Order No. 52. The initiative is the DSWD's social protection initiative for children, individuals, and families in street situations. It provides immediate interventions, temporary shelter, and support services to help beneficiaries reintegrate into society.
"Our commitment in the Department remains firm in protecting the vulnerable, especially the Families and Individuals in Street Situation (FISS). Gagawin po ang lahat ng DSWD para maalis sila sa kapahamakan na maaaring idulot ng lansangan, lalo na po na ngayon ay pumasok na tayo ng panahon ng tag-ulan (The DSWD will do everything to pull them away from the dangers of living on the streets, especially now that the rainy season has started)," DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a statement Thursday.
Latest data showed that Pag-abot teams have profiled 29,988 individuals, reached out to 22,852 persons, and successfully reintegrated 21,174 beneficiaries into their home communities. Dumlao said the program continues to provide interventions that help beneficiaries become productive members of society while protecting them from the risks of street life.
She said families and individuals in street situations reached by social workers undergo an initial assessment before being admitted to a Pag-abot Processing Center or a Center for Residential Care Facility. "Pinaparami na rin po ng Departamento ang ating (The Department is also increasing the number of) processing centers to, of course, accommodate more clients, more beneficiaries, dahil ito po ang mandato ng DSWD (because this is the DSWD's mandate), to ensure that no Filipinos are living on the streets," Dumlao said.
The DSWD currently operates four Pag-abot Processing Centers. Two facilities in Pasay City and Cebu are operational, while two more in Pampanga and the Cordillera Administrative Region are being renovated to serve more beneficiaries. "The goal of DSWD is to give FISS a fresh start, safe living environments, and stable support systems," Dumlao said.
