BY JOREYLENE ROJO & KRISTINA CRUJIDO/DNSC Interns
A TOTAL of 189 individuals received assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pag-Abot Program across Davao Region in 2025.
Beneficiaries included Indigenous Peoples coming from outside the region as well.
DSWD reported that the number of beneficiaries assisted by the Pag-abot Program significantly increased from 15 in October 2024, when the program started, to 189 in 2025.
During a press briefing at Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, Feb. 9, Nerjaya C. Mohammad, DSWD Social Welfare Officer II, said the increase in beneficiaries was due to a shift in the strategy.
“For the year 2025, we served more because we personally reached out to our beneficiaries,” Mohammad said.
The Pag-ABOT Program continues to strengthen its implementation following the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 14, which established regional inter-agency committees.
Meanwhile, Mohammad said they also served more beneficiaries because tribal families visit urban areas in droves during the Christmas season.
In the recent Christmas season alone, as reflected in DSWD data, 28 Indigenous Peoples from Davao del Norte were reintegrated, while 56 others were recorded outside the Davao Region, particularly in Caraga.
Rovie Love Joy Belaya, Social Welfare Officer III, said the DSWD offers comprehensive social protection packages to support the Pag-Abot beneficiaries. Under the initiative, beneficiaries undergo profiling and assessment conducted by trained social workers to identify the most suitable assistance for their situation.
The program provides beneficiaries with transportation and relocation assistance, financial assistance and medical support, transitory shelter assistance, psychosocial support, livelihood assistance, and community assistance.
This year, DSWD is targeting assist 100 beneficiaries, focusing on strengthening partnership building and strengthening local mechanisms.
