Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has given recognition on Romeo Catacutan, a social media vlogger, for extending social welfare to poor and vulnerable Filipinos.

“We honor these kinds of people. Thank you for your heart for the community at pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan,” Secretary Gatchalian said to Catacutan during the vlogger’s courtesy call on Thursday (September 5) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

Romeo “Idol” Catacutan, who is widely known for his commitment to community service and charitable causes, received a special plaque and certificate from Secretary Gatchalian.

These deeds, according to the DSWD chief, is what makes a good Samaritan and an emblem of inspiration to many.

“What you are doing is inspiring… masaya kami na may mga tulad mong good samaritan na tumutulong sa kapwa without fanfare,” the DSWD chief pointed out.

Romeo Catacutan has millions of followers in his various social media accounts where he shares video clips distributing school supplies and uniforms to children, helping out in community medical missions, and providing meals to people in need—all of which were free of charge and out of his own pocket.

The DSWD secretary and social media vlogger also explored collaboration on strengthening the information campaign of the DSWD’s Oplan Pag-Abot, a program initiated under the leadership of Secretary Gatchalian, which aims to reach out to families, children, and individuals in street situations.

The program also provides necessary interventions such as, but not limited to, medical help, food aid, transportation and relocation assistance, livelihood opportunities, transitory family support packages, and emergency financial and transitory shelter assistance, among others.

“You might want to collaborate with us and we can collaborate with you, kasi yung means mo ang laki, you are an influencer for doing good and yun ang kailangan ng Pag-abot… someone who would involve the general public to provide information on the whereabouts of our street-dwellers,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

In response, Catacutan said he is open to assist the agency in promoting the Oplan Pag-Abot program.

Also present in the courtesy call were Social Amelioration and Genuine Intervention on Poverty (SAGIP) Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta; former Capas, Tarlac Mayor Antonio Rodriguez Jr.; DSWD Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Special Projects Isabel Lanada; Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Strategic Communications and Agency Operations Service (AOS) Director Clarissa Lara Duran; and Social Technology Bureau (STB) Director Marilyn Moral. #

Tagalog Version

SocMed vlogger na matulungin sa kapus-palad, pinarangalan ng DSWD

Kinilala ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian ang social media vlogger na si Romeo Catacutan, dahil sa walang pagod nitong pagtulong sa mga kapus-palad na Pilipino.

“We honor these kinds of people. Thank you for your heart for the community at pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian, matapos ang pagbisita ng nasabing social media vlogger sa tanggapan ng Kalihim sa DSWD Central Office, Quezon City.

Tumanggap ng special plaque at certificate mula kay DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian si Romeo “Idol” Catacutan, kilala sa kanyang dedikasyon na tulungan ang mga taong naghihikahos sa buhay at nangangailangan.

Ang mga ganitong gawa ayon na rin kay Secretary Gatchalian ay larawan ng isang tunay na good Samaritan at huwaran para sa mga nakararami.

“What you are doing is inspiring… masaya kami na may mga tulad mong good samaritan na tumutulong sa kapwa without fanfare,” paliwanag pa ng DSWD chief.

Si Romeo Catacutan ay may milyong followers sa iba’t-ibang social media accounts kung saan dito niya ipinapakita ang mga video clips ng kanyang pagbibigay ng school supplies at uniforms para sa mga bata, pagtulong sa community medical missions, at pagbibigay ng pagkain para sa mga nangangailangan. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay niya ng libre at walang kapalit.

Kaugnay nito, magtutulungan naman ang DSWD secretary at ang nasabing social media vlogger upang mapaigting ang information campaign ng DSWD Oplan Pag-Abot, na naglalayon upang tulungan ang mga pamilya at indibidwal na naninirahan sa kalye.

Ang nasabing programa ay nagbibigay ng nararapat na interbensyon tulad ng pagkain, medical assistance, transportation, relocation assistance, livelihood opportunities, transitory family support packages, emergency financial at transitory shelter assistances.

“You might want to collaborate with us and we can collaborate with you, kasi yung means mo ang laki, you are an influencer for doing good and yun ang kailangan ng Pag-abot… someone who would involve the general public to provide information on the whereabouts of our street-dwellers,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian.

Bilang tugon naman, sinabi ni Catacutan na nakahanda siyang makipagtulungan sa ahensya para sa pagpapatupad ng Oplan Pag-Abot program.

Kabilang sa mga dumalo sa courtesy call sina Social Amelioration and Genuine Intervention on Poverty (SAGIP) Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta; former Capas, Tarlac Mayor Antonio Rodriguez Jr.; DSWD Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Special Projects Isabel Lanada; Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Strategic Communications and Agency Operations Service (AOS) Director Clarissa Lara Duran; at Social Technology Bureau (STB) Director Marilyn Moral. #