Latest news with #DepartmentofSocialWelfareandDevelopment
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
House Bill making AICS 'permanent' approved on final reading
The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill making the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) a permanent program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on third and final reading late Wednesday night. This happened as all 176 House members voted yes for the passage of House Bill 11395 on An Act Institutionalizing the AICS Program. House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, who voted yes with reservations on the measure, said making the AICS program permanent is "necessary" but should not be used by public officials to promote themselves. "We recognize that it is the mandate of the State to provide adequate assistance, social services, projects, and programs geared towards alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life of Filipinos. Sa harap ng hindi maampat-ampat na presyo ng mga bilihin at bayarin, mataas na inflation rate (In the face of unsustainable prices of goods and services, high inflation rate)... The need for an immediate economic relief will always be there," Brosas said. "Hindi natin kinukuwestiyon ang pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan para sa agarang tulong (We do not question the citizens' need for immediate assistance.)... Rather, we are particularly worried about those who are in the position to provide assistance, but takes it as an opportunity to forward their personal and political interests," Brosas added. Brosas said that government policies should not promote political patronage and mendicancy but instead emphasize that government assistance is funded by the taxpayers' money. "As legislators and as public servants, let us be true to our mandate to put forward measures that will alleviate poverty and address the deepening inequality in our country towards genuinely raising the quality of life of Filipinos," Brosas said. Latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 63% self-rated poverty among Filipinos, the highest in 21 years. The same poll showed that involuntary hunger among Filipino families, on the other hand, doubled to 7.5 million in March 2025 from 2.9 million from June 2022. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Senate OKs bill giving free funeral services for poor
The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill seeking to provide free funeral services to poor Filipino families. Senate Bill No. 2965, also known as the Free Funeral Services Act got 22 affirmative votes, zero negative vote, and zero abstention. It was sponsored by Senator Imee Marcos. The bill provides that free funeral services shall be provided to families who are in crisis situations, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), including but not limited to indigent families, or those affected by calamities, disasters, or other emergency circumstances that prevent them from affording dignified funeral services. To avail the package, the bereaved family or representative must present the following: -Valid identification card of the claimant or beneficiary; -Death certificate issued by the hospital or city/municipal health office, or certification from the tribal chieftain; =Funeral contract signed by the representative of the deceased's family, the funeral establishment, and an authorized DSWD personnel; and -Social case study prepared by any registered social worker. The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the measure, while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall monitor and regulate the current market prices of funeral services, including the price of caskets and urns, to prevent undue or excessive price increases. Aside from SB 2965, five other bills were approved on third and final reading: SB 890 or the Government Optimization Act; SB 2805 or the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Act; and SB 2960 or the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act. Also approved were SB 2974 or the Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act and SB 2975 or the Revised Animal Welfare Act. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Woman from viral sewer video to get P80K sari-sari store aid from DSWD
A woman who went viral for emerging from a Makati sewer, identified only as 'Rose,' is now starting her own sari-sari store through government support. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) confirmed that she will receive up to Php80,000 in livelihood aid, not all at once but in phases. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that this support will follow the agency's standard procedures. Rose will first receive initial capital to buy items to sell, followed by regular monitoring before more funds are released. 'In all our case, it's a gradual monitoring system, hand-holding yan. Ang gagawin ng aming social worker, una bibigyan siya ng paunang tulong— katulad nga raw kagabi, nagsimula na sila bumili ng ibebenta sa tindahan. Then imomonitor natin sila uli. 'Pag nakita natin na maganda 'yung takbo, dadagdagan at dadagdagan natin hanggang sa mabuo natin 'yung 80,000 pesos,' Secretary Gatchalian explained. He said the DSWD's team of social workers will act as case managers to ensure that Rose can sustain the business and use the help wisely. 'Lagi naman importante 'yung case management kung tatawagin… ang mga social workers ang nagke-case manage on an individual basis [sa mga clients natin],' he added. Rose and her partner, a barker, used to live on the streets and relied on collecting recyclables for survival. Despite these hardships, they were able to rent a small bedspace and showed a willingness to manage their earnings responsibly. 'Nakita ng mga social workers natin na pwedeng maiahon nila yung sarili nila sa lansangan, ibig sabihin meron silang sariling displina kung pano pagkakasyahin 'yung kanilang kita,' Gatchalian said, adding that this was a major factor in granting her the livelihood aid. The support for Rose falls under the 'Pag-abot Program,' a 24/7 initiative of the DSWD aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's directive to help homeless individuals and provide long-term, appropriate assistance.
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Woman crawls out of drain, smiles — leaves crowd stunned
IN a scene straight out of a horror film, a young woman stunned pedestrians and motorists in Makati City on May 26 when she emerged from a storm drain, covered in dirt and dressed in a soiled outfit. The surreal moment, captured by street photographer William (@iammrthirty on Instagram), has since gone viral across social media. The incident occurred around 5pm at a busy street corner in Manila's financial district. According to William, the woman crawled out of a wide storm drain wearing a dirty dress and denim shorts, her hair tangled and streaked with grime. 'She ran past me, the military guy in pursuit. A few pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even the traffic enforcer just stood there—stunned, confused, maybe even a little amused,' he recalled. His photos show the woman smiling before dashing away, followed by a man in a military-style uniform. Shared by GMA News and widely circulated on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, the images have amassed nearly two million views within days. When William revisited the location later, he discovered local authorities had begun repaving the area. Despite the repair efforts, questions lingered about the origin of the canal. Describing the canal as 'almost as big as some rental rooms in the city,' William noted a pipe large enough for a person to crawl through. Local officials admitted they were uncertain where the pipe beneath the catch basin led, raising concerns about the extent of Makati's underground labyrinth. City officials suspect the woman could be among the many homeless individuals seeking refuge in Metro Manila's hidden underground networks. 'These streets carry stories we rarely acknowledge. There are people literally living in the cracks of this city,' William reflected. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) later confirmed the woman, identified only as 'Bibe,' was located and brought to their Pag-abot Processing Center in Pasay City. She is now under the department's care as they assess her situation.
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Woman crawls out of drain, smiles — leaves crowd stunned and internet shook
IN a scene straight out of a horror film, a young woman stunned pedestrians and motorists in Makati City on May 26 when she emerged from a storm drain, covered in dirt and dressed in a soiled outfit. The surreal moment, captured by street photographer William (@iammrthirty on Instagram), has since gone viral across social media. The incident occurred around 5pm at a busy street corner in Manila's financial district. According to William, the woman crawled out of a wide storm drain wearing a dirty dress and denim shorts, her hair tangled and streaked with grime. 'She ran past me, the military guy in pursuit. A few pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even the traffic enforcer just stood there—stunned, confused, maybe even a little amused,' he recalled. His photos show the woman smiling before dashing away, followed by a man in a military-style uniform. Shared by GMA News and widely circulated on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, the images have amassed nearly two million views within days. When William revisited the location later, he discovered local authorities had begun repaving the area. Despite the repair efforts, questions lingered about the origin of the canal. Describing the canal as 'almost as big as some rental rooms in the city,' William noted a pipe large enough for a person to crawl through. Local officials admitted they were uncertain where the pipe beneath the catch basin led, raising concerns about the extent of Makati's underground labyrinth. City officials suspect the woman could be among the many homeless individuals seeking refuge in Metro Manila's hidden underground networks. 'These streets carry stories we rarely acknowledge. There are people literally living in the cracks of this city,' William reflected. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) later confirmed the woman, identified only as 'Bibe,' was located and brought to their Pag-abot Processing Center in Pasay City. She is now under the department's care as they assess her situation.
