Central luzon: A total of 43 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pag-abot Program across various provinces in Central Luzon have been enrolled under the agency's Livelihood Program and Transitory Shelter Assistance to help them start anew.
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that the beneficiaries included 11 individuals from Nueva Ecija, 11 from Pampanga, 10 from Tarlac City, and 11 from Bulacan. The distribution activity involved personnel from the Pag-abot Regional Project Management Office in Region 3 and the Local Social Welfare and Development Office, who actively guided the beneficiaries in selecting starting livelihood ventures. This approach ensures that the financial and material assistance provided will serve as capital for progress and self-reliance.
"Providing financial capital alone is insufficient without proper mentoring. Social workers are deployed on the ground to guarantee beneficiaries select a business venture matching specific skill sets and local market demands, ensuring long-term commercial viability," Dumlao explained.
The DSWD's effort to reach out to families and individuals in street situations (FISS) aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to deliver continuous and impactful interventions to marginalized sectors. Institutionalized under Executive Order No. 52, the Pag-abot Program is a specialized national initiative designed to assist families and individuals in street situations.
This initiative provides comprehensive assistance by offering immediate relief alongside long-term solutions, including relocation grants, family reunification, temporary shelter, and livelihood capital aimed at lifting disadvantaged citizens out of poverty.
"The Pag-abot Program aims to provide not just relief but a genuine opportunity for vulnerable citizens to recover and rebuild. Through the continuous provision of livelihood and shelter support, the Department ensures every assistance translates into a sustainable investment for the future of Filipino families," Dumlao emphasized.
She further mentioned that collaborative efforts with local and national government partners allow the DSWD to reach more lives, bringing hope and a brighter future to marginalized communities.
