The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has officially launched the Pag-abot program in four (4) municipalities in Bicol Region.

These municipalities, namely Baras in Catanduanes, Juban in Sorsogon, San Jose in Camarines Sur, and Bacacay in Albay will be provided with a municipal grant allocation of PHP 2 million to implement the community assistance funded by the program.

The Pag-abot program aims to assist children, individuals, and families living on the streets through the provision of social welfare protection services, various interventions, and opportunities.

Using the Community-Driven Development (CDD) process of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), the community assistance will benefit the reintegrated beneficiaries of Pag-abot as well as the receiving barangay.

DSWD Field Office V Regional Director Norman S. Laurio highlighted that the Pag-abot program does not only provide for the eligible beneficiaries but also their communities.

“By using the CDD process of KALAHI-CIDSS, we ensure that communities play a central role in identifying their needs and driving their development together with the beneficiaries,” Director Laurio explained.

The local government units (LGUs) have already conducted their respective Municipal Orientations, which were attended by local officials, community volunteers, and key stakeholders.

The orientations served as a platform to present the program objectives, timelines, and implementation arrangements as well as formalize the partnership between the LGU and DSWD through the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Specific Implementation Arrangement (SIA).

The Pag-abot program also offers other assistance to beneficiaries, such as transportation or relocation assistance, financial assistance, transitory shelter assistance, livelihood assistance, capability building for the LGUs and communities, and psychosocial support.