DSWD, DHSUD eye temporary shelter for individuals rescued from streets
(Photo from DSWD Facebook page)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), is exploring the provision of temporary shelter for individuals rescued from street situations, particularly those with no families or permanent homes to return to.
The initiative seeks to support beneficiaries of the DSWD’s “Pag-abot Program,” which provides outreach and services to individuals and families living or staying on the streets.
The proposed shelter arrangement would serve as a transitional housing option for those who cannot be reintegrated with their families or communities.
“This program we are studying with DHSUD is meant for Pag-abot beneficiaries who have no families or relatives to return to in the provinces,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.
“Like our processing centers, these shelters will serve as temporary accommodations for them,” she added.
On July 16, officials from the Pag-abot National Program Management Office, along with DSWD-Centers and Residential Care Facilities Assistant Secretary Ada Colico, visited a DHSUD housing facility in Pasay City as part of ongoing assessments.
According to Dumlao, the effort is part of a broader strategy to provide holistic support for individuals in street situations, particularly those without a permanent address.
The shelter option is envisioned to help them live safely and productively in group living arrangements while continuing to receive social services.
“In processing centers, the goal is to reintegrate street dwellers into their communities. Through this DHSUD housing assistance, we want to help them become productive citizens in a safe environment,” she added.
As of July 17, the Pag-abot Program has assisted 5,760 individuals through a package of social services, including rescue operations, temporary shelter, psychosocial support, and livelihood assistance.
Launched in July 2023, Pag-abot is a flagship program of the national government designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
It operates under Executive Order No. 52, signed on Jan. 18, 2024, and aims to provide long-term, dignified solutions for those living on the streets.