DSWD plans to give aid to sampaguita vendor in viral video

The Department of Social Welfare and Development plans to help the sampaguita vendor after a mall security guard destroyed the garlands she was selling outside the establishment.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras," the DSWD is looking for the girl and the boy, who was also seen selling sampaguita in the viral video, to give them psychosocial support and other assistance aid so they would no longer sell garlands on the street.

The DSWD will also talk to SM Malls about the possibility of training its personnel on dealing with minors properly.

SM has fired the guard and condemned the incident.

Aside from investigating the incident, it added that the guard will no longer be able to service any of their malls.

In a statement, DSWD said it would also lecture the security guard on how to treat children kindly to prevent similar incidents in the future.

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said there was a need to collectively ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse and exploitation.

“It takes a village to raise a child. Kaya kasama ang family and immediate community na dapat nagbabantay sa mga bata (So, the family and immediate community should be the ones guiding the children.),” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The viral video showed the girl still in her school uniform sitting the mall with a box that says “Namamasko po” when the security guard approached her and pointed to a boy, who was also selling sampaguita.

After a few seconds, the guard snatched the sampaguita from the girl and destroyed the garlands. The girl hit the security guard with the destroyed flowers.

The Philippine National Police Civil Security Group, which supervises security agencies, launched an administrative investigation into the incident.

Aside from violating the policies and standards of the security agencies, the guard may also have violated the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

Child abuse includes psychological, physical, and emotional maltreatment or any action that undermines the dignity and honor of children. —Celine Serquina/NB, GMA Integrated News