Rose gets PHP80K for sari-sari store from DSWD

A woman identified as 'Rose,' who emerged from a Makati City sewer earlier this week, will receive PHP80,000 in livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to start a 'sari-sari' store.

During a meeting at DSWD's Pag-abot Center in Pasay City on Thursday, Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured Rose that this intervention aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to assist individuals living on the streets and comes with monitoring and other conditions.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao clarified Saturday that Rose is among the families and individuals in street situations (FISS) profiled by the agency for tailored support and was not previously included in social protection programs like the 4Ps due to her lack of a permanent address.

The potentially heart-warming resolution soon became fodder for jokes on social media about people quitting their jobs to live in canals and wait for P80,000 from the DSWD.

Responding to criticism, the DSWD said the aid was part of its Pag-Abot Program to help people living on the street get back on their feet.