DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao speaks to the press in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday (May 31, 2025). Dumlao updated the press on the situation of Rose, the woman who went viral after she got photographed crawling out of a Makati sewer this month. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday defended its decision to grant P80,000 in livelihood assistance to “Rose,” the woman whose photo emerging from a sewer in Makati recently went viral.
At a public affairs forum, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao explained that Rose is part of the Families and Individuals in Street Situations (FISS) group profiled under the agency’s programs designed for vulnerable sectors.
“Many of those in street situations do not have a permanent address, which disqualifies them from benefiting from major government programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),” Dumlao said in Filipino. “In Rose’s case, she was not surveyed and has no children under 18, which are requirements for the 4Ps.”
Rose is one of the beneficiaries of the Pag-abot Program, launched in 2023, which aims to reach out to street dwellers and connect them with social services. So far, around 3,000 families have been assisted through the initiative.
Dumlao shared that when DSWD social workers approached Rose, she was surprised to learn that government aid was available to her. “She expressed hope that this support could help her start anew,” Dumlao said.
The decision to provide P80,000 in aid was based on a case assessment conducted by social workers. Rose reportedly wants to start a small sari-sari store to increase her income.
“This amount is not uniformly given to all. It varies depending on the beneficiary’s needs and the evaluation of our social workers,” Dumlao clarified.
She also noted that Rose currently earns about P300 a day by collecting recyclables, with her partner working as a barker. The viral sewer incident, Dumlao said, happened because Rose had dropped a small cutter she uses for her work and went down to retrieve it.
DSWD encouraged the public to report similar cases so appropriate assistance can be extended.
