The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reached out to an abused person with disability (PWD) who was reportedly assaulted inside a public utility bus.
On the orders of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the agency’s Crisis Intervention Unit visited the victim, afflicted with autism, at his home in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
The incident aboard the passenger bus went viral on social media.
The DSWD is currently coordinating with the concerned local government unit for other possible interventions.
“We are looking into the possibility of referring the victim’s family for psychosocial support under the Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support or WiSupport program and the provision of financial assistance,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office has already assisted the victim who underwent medical check-up at the Grace Medical Center.
Last June 9, the PWD reportedly got stressed out inside the EDSA Carousel bus by loud noises, light and other factors, prompting the conductor and some passengers to gang up on him and kick him out of the bus.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board imposed a 30-day preventive suspension on the Precious Grace buses and issued a show-cause order requiring an explanation of the incident.
The WiSupport program provides holistic services to clients in crisis, who may also be under extreme stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
Dumlao said the DSWD will also prioritize the victim’s therapy which was discontinued due to financial constraints.
“During the home visitation, we also found out that the main source of his family’s livelihood is selling corn. This is not enough to support the victim’s therapy. We are now facilitating referral services to medical institutions or partner service providers to help the victim to continue his sessions,” she said.
Although the welfare of the victim is the priority, she said the agency will also explore how to provide assistance to the family in the filing of a criminal case arising from his horrible experience.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “DSWD extends aid to PWD booted from public bus”
