Two street children and an elderly have been re-united with their respective families through a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) project aiming to bring home lost individuals during the holiday season.
DSWD Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Irene Dumlao said their intensified “Oplan Pag-Abot sa Pasko” has gained some levels of success in reintegrating lost or missing people with their families.
“’Pag-Abot sa Pasko’ exemplifies our commitment to bringing families together, especially this yuletide season,” said Dumlao, who also acts as a DSWD spokesperson.
Under the program, two street children in Pasay City were taken back home to the family last Dec. 20.
“The team came across these siblings and brought them to the processing center for food provision before they were accompanied to Manila where their mother stays,” Dumlao said.
In another reach-out operation, an 84-year-old elderly has been reunited with his family in Sitio Banat, Barangay San Ramon East in Manabo, Abra last Dec. 14.
“Part of the interventions under the project for families and individuals in street situations is the provision of temporary shelter while awaiting their actual reintegration into their families and communities,” Dumlao said.
Oplan Pag-Abot is among the DSWD projects under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian meant to help, support and protect homeless individuals and families through “appropriate interventions.”
Under the project, these people are provided with various humanitarian services such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, Balik Probinsya, and the Bagong Pag-Asa Program. Some individuals are referred to DSWD-run centers and residential care facilities for temporary shelter.
The Pag-Abot sa Pasko will run until Dec. 31 to reach out to more families with missing members in a bid to spread the Christmas spirit during the holidays, while at the same time address the problem on street mendicancy.