DSWD Defends P80-K Assistance to 'Rose'

After receiving numerous brickbats and memes from netizens, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) defended its decision to give P80,000 in livelihood assistance to Rose—the woman who went viral on social media after she was spotted emerging from a sewer in Makati.

- Jose Rodel Clapano, EJ Macababbad

People have been posting jokes on their social media accounts about receiving the same amount of livelihood assistance if they are caught on video getting out of a drainage hole.

One Facebook post suggested an employee earns about P637 a day while Rose instantly got P80,000 by simply going into a sewer.

Sought for comment, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said there is nothing unusual for their department to help poor people such as Rose.

Dumlao said Rose underwent a case management process wherein the latter was interviewed and assessed by social workers.