DSWD eyeing Pasay POGO hub as processing center

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Pasay government are considering converting a former Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in the city into a processing center for the DSWD’s “Pag-abot” program.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said they could use the five-story POGO facility in implementing the program, which was designed to ensure the effective delivery of services to the poor.

According to Gatchalian, the facility could also be used as transient shelter for people living in the streets before they return to their provinces.

Gatchalian and Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano have inspected the facility.

They envisioned the center to have a child-friendly space, a medical clinic and a processing area where social workers will be able to conduct intake procedures, profiling, interviews and assessment.

A space will also provided for the registration of reached-out persons to the Philippine Identification System.

The facility is currently catering to the needs of some 60 reached-out individuals who used to live in the streets.