The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has stepped in to provide immediate and comprehensive assistance to a person with disability (PWD) who was subjected to physical abuse inside a public utility bus.

Following the incident, the Crisis Intervention Unit of the DSWD-Central Office conducted a home visit on June 14 in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan to assess the victim’s condition and coordinate support efforts.

The agency said it is working closely with the local government of San Jose Del Monte City and health providers to ensure the victim receives the necessary medical and therapeutic care to address both the physical and psychological effects of the abuse.

“We are looking into the possibility of referring the victim's family for psychosocial support under the Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support or WiSupport program, and the provision of financial assistance,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Sunday, June 15.

The WiSupport program offers holistic services to clients in crisis, including those experiencing extreme stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges.

Dumlao said efforts are also underway to resume the victim’s ongoing therapy sessions, which are vital to his development and well-being. 

“During the home visitation, we also found out that the main source of his family’s livelihood is selling corn. This is not enough to support the victim's therapy. We are now facilitating referral services to medical institutions or partner service providers to help the victim to continue his sessions,” she pointed out.

Aside from health interventions, Dumlao noted that the department will extend financial assistance to the victim’s family to help cover treatment costs and daily living expenses. 

She also said that legal support is being coordinated to explore protective actions and assist the family in pursuing justice.

Moreover, the DSWD, in coordination with the local government, has committed to continue to provide additional interventions as needed, based on the ongoing assessments, to help the victim and his family recover from the traumatic incident.

A video of the assault that circulated on social media last week shows the victim visibly distressed while being physically attacked by several individuals inside a bus.

The footage reportedly captures the victim being “kicked, punched, and even electrocuted.”