The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended initial assistance to the family of a college student who was recently involved in an incident with a security guard outside a Mandaluyong City mall.
Following the directives of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao visited the family in Quezon City on Friday and personally handed P20,000 in financial aid to Judith, the mother of Jeny, a 22-year-old vendor and first-year Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology student. Jeny was at school during the visit.
Dumlao assured Judith that further support would be provided after a thorough assessment by social workers.
“Our case manager will return to conduct additional interviews and gather more information to determine the assistance your family needs,” she said. Possible interventions include enrollment in the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Judith shared that her family was previously part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program but no longer qualifies as their youngest child is now 19 years old.
She described Jeny’s determination to complete her education, noting that the young student sells sampaguita garlands after school to cover her daily expenses and save for tuition.
The family works together in this endeavor, with Judith crafting the garlands while Jeny, her siblings, and her father, Joel, sell them.
The incident involving Jeny occurred in December 2024 and was captured on video by a bystander.
The footage, which has since gone viral, shows a security guard forcibly driving Jeny away as she sat near the mall entrance.
When she stood up, the guard grabbed her sampaguita garlands and tore them apart. In response, Jeny struck the guard with the damaged flowers.
Despite the public outcry, the family has chosen not to file charges against the security guard.
Dumlao reiterated the DSWD’s stance on the issue, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to combatting gender-based violence.
“We always stress that we do not tolerate such actions. There must be a collective effort from both the private and public sectors to protect and uphold the rights and well-being of every individual,” she stated.
The DSWD will continue monitoring the family’s situation to provide additional assistance as needed.