MANILA, May 31 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday defended its decision to extend PHP80,000 in livelihood assistance to "Rose," the woman photographed crawling out of a Makati sewer.

Speaking at a news forum, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao clarified that Rose is among the families and individuals in street situations (FISS) profiled by the agency for tailored support.

Dumlao said because these people have no permanent address, most of them have not been able to benefit from the government's social protection programs, such as the 4Ps.

"She wasn't surveyed so she wasn't included in the 4Ps. In addition, she has no children below 18 years old to qualify," she explained in Filipino.

Under the Pag-abot ...