
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday provided initial aid to the family of the female college student who was accosted by a security guard outside a mall in Mandaluyong City.
On instructions of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao personally handed over P20,000 to Judith, the mother of the vendor named Jeny, 22, who was at school during the house visit of DSWD social workers.
“Nanay, ito pong ipinaabot namin sa iyo ay initial pa lamang. Sabi po ng case manager natin, babalik s’ya at mag-iinterview s’ya para humingi ng additional information kasi gusto rin po namin kayong matulungan,” Dumlao told the mother at their Quezon City home.
She said social workers will further assess the situation of the family to determine what other interventions may be provided, such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
During the interview, Judith said their household was a former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary but has graduated from since the youngest child is already 19 years old.
Judith said Jeny is a first-year student taking up Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.
She told social workers Jeny is striving to finish her studies, the reason why she sells sampaguita after her classes.
“Kaya sila nagsusumikap na magtinda, doon sila kumukuha ng baon at pamasahe. Tapos ang iba ay itatabi nila para pagdating ng babayarin sa school ay mayroon silang pagkukunan,” Judith said.
Judith said she makes the sampaguita herself while her children and husband, Joel, sell them.
Jeny’s encounter with the security guard in December 2024, recorded on video by a witness, has since gone viral.
The video showed the security guard driving away Jeny, then seated on the stairs of the mall entrance.
When she stood up, the security guard snatched and destroyed her sampaguita garlands, prompting the girl to hit him with the destroyed flowers.
The parents said they will not file charges against the security guard.
“On the part of the DSWD, lagi po nating sinasabi na hindi po natin tino-tolerate ang gender-based violence. Dapat ay there is a collective effort on the part of the private and public sectors na protektahan at pangalagaan ang karapatan ang well-being ng bawat isa,” Dumalo said.
