MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has appealed to the public to stop ridiculing “drainage girl” Rose thru social media comments, jokes and memes.
According to Secretary Rex Gatchalian, ridicules can hurt and further cause harm to vulnerable people wanting to change their lives.
“Naibulong sa akin ng (DSWD) case manager niya na nasasaktan na rin si Rose at iyong kanyang partner. Sabi nga nila hindi naman nila hiningi ‘yung P80,000,” Gatchalian said in an interview with DZBB AM radio.
The barrage of memes and online ridicule is affecting Rose negatively, whose only fault was to become a beneficiary of the Department and is now aspiring to change her dire situation, Gatchalian said.
“Nakikita niya nagiging meme na siya, yung storya niya. Sabi niya (Rose) sana wag gawing biro ang istorya niya. Nasasaktan siya. In fact, alam niya lahat ng nangyayari,” the DSWD chief said.
He said the agency welcomes criticisms and public scrutiny as part of its role as a national public service agency. The Department also understands that listening to the public’s sentiments is a key factor in improving service delivery.
“Ang panawagan ko nga is kami sa DSWD, kung kami ‘yung tinatanong, kami yung ginagawang meme, tanggap namin. Kasi that’s part of public service. Obligasyon namin sumagot. Pero ‘wag ‘yung victim kasi ‘yung victim maraming pinagdaanan ‘yan. Lalong-lalo na ang katulad ni Rose na nakatira sa lansangan,” Gatchalian said.
Rose was photographed coming out of a Makati City drainage last week. DSWD social workers were able to locate and reach her out as part of the Pag-Abot Program, the government’s flagship program for individuals and families in street situations.
Gatchalian said reaching out to Rose and others who are in the same plight is the very reason why the Pag-Abot Program was institutionalized and has become a priority of the Department.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian clarified that Rose will receive the P80,000 worth of livelihood assistance in tranches, same with what they do to around 5,000 families and individuals in street situations (FISS) through the said program.
“May kondisyon ito. Hindi ito binibigay ng isang bulto. Katulad dito kay Rose, in tranches siya ibibigay at may supervision at monitoring ng social workers. Binabantayan ng social worker ‘yung progress,” he said in a Palace press briefing.
“May home visits para ma-check kung gumaganda na unti-unti ‘yung buhay. Gusto kong i-point out na lahat tinutulungan. Hindi special case si Rose,” he added./PN
