The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will launch its “Oplan Pag-Abot” project on Friday, June 30, with a simulation activity of the reach out operation at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with the Oplan Pag-Abot team headed by Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo Punay, will lead the demonstration of the step-by-step reach out process, particularly the initial interview or counseling, which includes biometrics administration, photo capturing and issuance of identification cards, and assessment of the clients.
“The Pag-Abot project aims to provide a holistic approach in the reintegration of individuals and families in street situations to the community that introduces digital and developmental features. Through this, the DSWD hopes to effectively and sustainably address the needs of the sector to prevent them from returning to the streets,” Punay said.
Depending on their assessed needs, clients will receive a range of interventions under the project, including medical assistance, food support, transportation and relocation aid, livelihood opportunities, transitory family support packages, emergency financial assistance, and transitory shelter assistance.
The simulation activity will take place in preparation for the full implementation of the Oplan Pag-Abot in Metro Manila, which will target abandoned, neglected, and orphaned children under 18 years old; unattached adults who are found to be vagrants, mendicants, and with mental incapacity/disability; and homeless street families who are displaced due to fire, demolition, or family crisis.
A team of social workers will conduct outreach operations in various cities throughout Metro Manila on a 24-hour shifting basis.
Commission on Human Righsts (CHR) chairperson Richard Paat Palpal-latoc is expected to attend the launch, as the DSWD’s major partner in ensuring that the rights of children and families in street situations are protected during the reach-out operations.
With the partnership with CHR, the DSWD ensures that it takes a child rights approach to addressing the needs of children and families iliving on the streets and that the operation follows the protocol for reaching out to street children.