The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Davao Region (Region 11) said Monday its “Pag-Abot” outreach program served 189 vulnerable individuals last year and aims to assist about 100 more this year.
DSWD-11 social work officer Rovie Love Joy Belaya said the PHP9 million program provides a multidisciplinary approach to assist children, individuals, and families in street situations.
“Pag-abot has comprehensive social protection packages, and the beneficiaries were assessed by our social workers on what suitable intervention fits their skills and conditions,” Belaya said in a press briefing.
She said assistance includes transport, financial aid, shelter, psychosocial support, livelihood and employment aid, determined after social worker assessments.
In December 2025 alone, the program helped reintegrate 28 indigenous people in Davao del Norte and 56 individuals in the Caraga Region back to their communities.
“The first thing that we do when they resist being reached out (to) is educate them, so that they will be aware of the essence of being home for their safety and security,” Belaya added. (PNA)