DAVAO CITY(November 25) — At least 124 street dwellers in Davao Region have been rescued and assisted this year through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD-11) Pag-abot Program—an effort social workers say is increasingly urgent as women and girls on the streets face heightened risks of exploitation, violence, and trafficking.
“These are people with no safe place to go, and the dangers are real, especially for women and minors,” said program focal person Nerjaya Mohammad. “We reach out to them and convince them to return to their communities or parents. For those outside Davao City, we provide financial assistance based on the social worker’s assessment.”
Street dwellers—many of them fleeing domestic conflict, extreme poverty, or neglect—are among the most vulnerable groups in the region.
Girls and young women, in particular, face constant threats, from harassment and sexual violence to recruitment by traffickers and exploitative groups. Social workers note that those sleeping in public spaces are also exposed to health risks, hunger, and unsafe encounters with strangers and authorities.
Under Pag-abot, beneficiaries undergo case management to assess their safety needs, secure temporary shelter, and prepare for reintegration. Interventions may include counseling, medical referrals, psychosocial support, and coordination with receiving communities.
Each individual may receive up to PHP10,000 in assistance to cover food, transport, and basic needs during transit or while awaiting reintegration.
Mohammad said the program, which started operations in April, continues to profile and assist individuals and families found in street situations. She emphasized that sustained monitoring is needed to prevent those at risk—especially women and girls—from slipping back into unsafe environments.
“For us, every reintegration is not just a transfer—it’s a protection case,” she said.
