Manila: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday joined the Pag-Abot Program team that reached out to families and individuals staying under bridges and other danger zones in Tondo, Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD's continuous reach-out operations are in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that families and individuals in street situations (FISS) will be given critical assistance.
"Dati kasi ang main operation ng aming Pag-Abot Program ay sa roads, sidewalks, sa overpass at sa underpass. Pero ngayon ang pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin ay yung mga danger zones -- mga bridges, drainage systems (Previously, the main operations of the program are conducted in roads, sidewalks, overpasses, and underpasses. We are now focusing on danger zones - the bridges and drainage systems)," Gatchalian told reporters.
The DSWD chief pointed out that danger zones must remain a "no-man's zone" as bridges and drainages pose great risks to unhoused people, especially now that the rainy season has started. "Sa'min sa DSWD, ang importante sa amin mailikas sila ngayon na nag-uulan na. to make sure na safe sila, make sure na mayroon silang tinitirhan (What is important to us is to evacuate them now that it's raining. to make sure that they are safe and sheltered) while these national calamities are about to unfold," he said.
The reach-out operation, which included looking at the situation of families and individuals living under the Raxabago Bridge in Tondo, was the result of the DSWD's collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the local government units.
In his conversation with the families and individuals in street situations, the DSWD chief assured them that the Marcos Administration is ready to provide holistic forms of interventions to help them find safe shelter and livelihood. The Pag-Abot Team will continue reaching out to more FISS for the whole day.
Gatchalian also bared plans to expand the Pag-Abot Program in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog Regions.
