Authorities and social workers have stepped in to help a woman who was seen emerging from a sewer in Salcedo Village, Makati City—a disturbing scene that sparked concern across social media earlier this week.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) confirmed that its team had located and interviewed the woman, who was reportedly living inside the drainage system at the corner of Rufino and Adelantado Streets. She has since been brought to the DSWD’s Pag-abot Processing Center in Pasay City for evaluation and support.
The DSWD said it remains ready to extend temporary shelter and other forms of aid to individuals in crisis. “Our social workers are continuously reaching out to street dwellers across Metro Manila, offering them access to government services that could help improve their condition,” the agency said in a public post.
Police later identified the woman as a regular street dweller often seen behind Makati Medical Center. Investigators also revealed that she wasn’t alone—three more individuals were seen entering the same sewer on May 26.
A follow-up inspection of the underground space uncovered personal items such as tools, metal scraps, and clothes, indicating the canal may have served as a makeshift shelter for some time.
Authorities have since coordinated with the Makati Commercial Estate Association to secure the area by placing a metal cover over the sewer opening to deter further unauthorized access. Meanwhile, an investigation is underway to determine how long the canal has been used this way and whether any criminal activity was involved.
“The Makati City Police Station remains committed to public safety and order,” the station said. “We are conducting a thorough review of CCTV footage and will pursue any necessary operations to locate other individuals believed to be residing in the drainage system.”
