The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has intensified its Pag-abot Program this holiday season by sustaining reach-out operations, expanding livelihood opportunities for families and individuals in street situations (FISS), and helping indigenous peoples (IPs) transition to safer, more sustainable living conditions.

“As we welcome the holiday season, mahalaga sa amin na masiguro na walang naiiwan (it’s important for us to ensure that nobody is left behind), especially our indigenous people communities and families on the streets na madalas dumadami sa syudad pag dating ng (that often flock to the city during the) month of December,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a statement on Friday.

The DSWD extended livelihood support to Badjao communities in Zamboanga City through the provision of boats and fishing gear on Nov. 28.

These tools aim to reinforce their traditional means of livelihood and help them build more stable sources of income within their own communities.

In September, some 521 Aeta families in Barangay Maruglo, Capas, Tarlac received farming implements from the DSWD to help them become economically stable.

The DSWD also turned over 141 carabaos to the Aeta community, along with other farming tools and equipment.

Dumlao said the interventions were designed to strengthen their agricultural livelihood and reduce the risks associated with street begging, while addressing the underlying economic challenges that push them to urban areas.

“Ang goal talaga natin ay matulungan silang magkaroon ng sariling kabuhayan sa kanilang komunidad. Kasi ‘pag may stable sila na pinagkakakitaan, hindi na nila kailangang bumiyahe papunta sa mga syudad para magtrabaho o humingi ng tulong sa lansangan (Our goal is to help them have their own livelihood in their community. Because when they have a stable source of income, they don’t need to travel to the city anymore to work or to beg on the street),” she said.

The DSWD spokesperson also emphasized that these interventions form part of a broader strategy to ensure that vulnerable groups, especially indigenous peoples, have viable economic opportunities that prevent them from returning to the streets.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the Pag-abot team conducted another operation on Thursday, where some 20 individuals agreed to be assisted and be transferred to the Pag-abot processing center in Pasay City.

“Doon sila binibigyan ng kinakailangang interbensyon habang hinahanda natin sila sa kanilang pagbalik o reintegration sa kanilang place of origin (There, they are given the necessary intervention while we prepare them for their return or reintegration to their place of origin,” Dumlao said.

She said the DSWD is committed to sustaining these activities throughout the holiday season and beyond to ensure that vulnerable populations receive continued support and avenues for long-term stability. (PNA)