The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that a woman who was recently found living in a sewer in Makati City will receive P80,000 in livelihood assistance to start a “sari-sari” store.
DSWD to provide P80,000 livelihood grant to woman from Makati sewer
“Rose,” a woman recently found crawling out of a sewer in Makati City, is set to receive P80,000 in livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to start her sari-sari store. (DSWD Photo)
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian met with the woman, identified as Rose, at the agency’s Pag-abot Center in Pasay City on May 29 to check on her condition and discuss the government’s support for her.
Rose expressed her desire to open a sari-sari store, a plan supported by the DSWD based on a social worker’s assessment of her capabilities.
“Our intervention for Rose will be to help her achieve her dream of owning a store, and based on our social worker’s assessment, she is capable of managing it,” Gatchalian said.
He also said that DSWD will also explore ways to assist Rose’s partner, Jerome, who has welding skills.
“Her partner, Jerome, will also be referred to us for possible training since he is skilled in welding. We may assist them in acquiring a welding machine to help make their income more stable,” Gatchalian added.
During the meeting, Rose committed to assisting the DSWD by joining outreach operations to encourage others in similar situations to seek help at the “Pag-abot Center.”
Since its opening in 2023, the Pag-abot Center has been providing temporary shelter to families and individuals in street situations, helping them before they return to their hometowns to rebuild their lives through various programs under the Pag-abot initiative.
“She will help us convince others living on the streets to come to the shelter and receive assistance,” Gatchalian said.
Rose and Jerome had been living on the streets near Pasong Tamo in Makati City for about a year before renting a space.