DSWD gives P80k to woman from Makati sewer to start sari-sari store

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Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian goes around Makati with 'Rose,' now an 'honorary social worker,' to reach out to similar street dwellers

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to give the woman who went viral for emerging from a Makati sewer P80,000 to start a sari-sari (general merchandise) store business.

The woman, whom the DSWD has called “Rose,” told the DSWD that this was her preferred entrepreneurial project.

After photos of Rose crawling out of the sewer went viral on social media, the DSWD reached out and took her under their care.

“Ang magiging intervention natin kay Rose, pangarap daw niya kasing magkaroon ng tindahan at sa assessment ng ating social worker ay kaya naman niya,” said DSWD Secretary Rex Gathalian in a press conference on Thursday, May 29.

(Our intervention for Rose — her dream is to own a store, and our social workers have assessed that she can do it.)

Rose and her partner “Jerome” lived in a street along Pasong Tamo in Makati. The DSWD is looking into providing a welding machine for Jerome for the couple to have more stable income.

Outreach

Gatchalian said that following the viral incident with Rose, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the agency to help other families and individuals in street situations (FISS).

In the morning of Friday, May 30, Gatchalian went around Makati with Rose, now an “honorary social worker,” to reach out to similar FISS.

OUTREACH. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian with ‘Rose’ during an outreach activity for street dwellers in Makati on May 30, 2025. Courtesy of DSWD

The outreach was meant to respond to families and individuals living in streets and drainage areas who similarly needed assistance. – Rappler.com