The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) responded on Saturday to public backlash and online ridicule over its P80,000 financial assistance given to a woman who was recently seen emerging from a culvert in Makati City.
The woman, referred to as “Rose,” became the subject of viral memes and jokes after a video surfaced showing her crawling out of a drainage hole in Barangay San Lorenzo. Some netizens sarcastically suggested quitting their jobs to live in sewers in hopes of receiving similar aid.
But DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao emphasized that the agency’s assistance is more than just money—it is a tool for transformation.
“Yung P80,000 maliit lamang na halaga ito kung ikukumpara mo ito sa bagong pag-asa sa indibidwal na nailayo natin sa kapahamakan mula sa lansangan,” Dumlao said during a public briefing, underlining the impact of the support.
According to the agency, the money was used to help Rose start a small sari-sari store. This move was part of DSWD’s broader efforts to help vulnerable individuals reintegrate into society and regain dignity through sustainable livelihood.
Dumlao added that while the department monitors social media to gather feedback, people should understand that the state has long-term interventions in place. “Hindi na kailangang gawin yung nakita natin or na-witness natin,” she said, referring to the dangerous and dehumanizing conditions of living on the streets.
Authorities later clarified that CCTV footage showed not just one, but three people had been staying inside the drainage system before the video gained traction online.
