The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) facilitated the return of 38 Ata Manobo tribe members to their community in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, through its Pag-abot Program. The beneficiaries were transported home on July 7 after outreach and profiling activities conducted by DSWD along major roads in Davao City on July 6.
Coordination with Local Government
To ensure a safe and orderly return, the DSWD-Davao Region Pag-abot Program coordinated with the Talaingod local government unit (LGU) to provide continued assistance and support after arrival. “Upang matiyak ang maayos, ligtas, at organisadong pagbabalik ng mga benepisyaryo sa kanilang komunidad, agad na nakipag-ugnayan ang DSWD-Davao Region Pag-abot Program sa Local Government Unit (LGU) ng Talaingod upang matiyak ang tuloy-tuloy na pagbibigay ng kaukulang serbisyo at suporta sa mga naihatid pauwi,” DSWD-Davao said on July 9.
Background of Beneficiaries
The agency noted that most beneficiaries came from Indigenous communities and had temporarily stayed in Davao City to beg or seek livelihood opportunities. Upon their return, the Talaingod LGU will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine why they went to the city and identify appropriate interventions to address their needs and prevent them from returning to the streets. The DSWD said the assessment will help develop long-term solutions, including access to social services, livelihood opportunities, and other forms of assistance.
Program Statistics
As of November 2025, DSWD-Davao had assisted 124 homeless individuals through Project Pag-abot. The beneficiaries included 62 from Davao del Sur, 28 from Davao del Norte, 13 from Davao Oriental, and 21 from Davao de Oro. Of the total, 53 belonged to Indigenous Peoples communities, particularly the Badjao and Ata groups. In 2024, the program also assisted five individuals referred to DSWD-Davao, including three families, one individual from Manay, and one from Calinan.
Pag-abot Program Overview
Pag-abot is one of DSWD’s flagship programs aimed at reaching vulnerable individuals, children, and families living on the streets and providing interventions to reduce the risks they face. The program provides ₱10,000 in financial assistance for basic needs during transit and another ₱10,000 for urgent medical needs. It also covers transportation costs, including land, sea, or air travel, as well as hauling of belongings and rebooking fees for canceled or postponed trips. Qualified beneficiaries may receive livelihood assistance of up to ₱100,000, released in up to three tranches depending on assessment results. The program also offers employment assistance, psychosocial support worth ₱10,000 per session for up to four sessions per month, and community grants to strengthen livelihood and social protection initiatives.
