MANILA, Philippines – A recent Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) outreach effort has drawn criticism from a respected figure in the Philippine social work community, following the agency’s decision to name a formerly homeless woman (dubbed as ‘Imburnal Girl’) as an "Honorary Social Worker."
On May 30, 2025, the DSWD announced on its official Facebook page that Secretary Rex Gatchalian, alongside the Pag-abot Team, had been conducting early morning street outreach in Makati City. With them was “Rose,” the woman who recently went viral after being photographed emerging from a sewage canal. The post celebrated Rose’s transformation and noted that she is now serving as an “honorary social worker” for the department.
“Maaga pa lang ay nag-iikot na si DSWD Secretary REX Gatchalian kasama ang Pag-abot Team, katuwang si 'Rose', ang babaeng nag-viral matapos makuhanan ng picture habang lumalabas sa isang sewage, na ngayon ay nagsisilbing honorary social worker ng DSWD, upang abutin at tulungan ang iba pang pamilyang naninirahan sa kalsada sa Makati City ngayong Biyernes (Mayo 30),” the DSWD’s page announced.
“Ito ay alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na tiyaking matutulungan ang iba pang kagaya ni 'Rose', na mailayo sa kapahamakan at mabigyan ng proteksyon at angkop na suporta mula sa pamahalaan,” the post continued, highlighting efforts to assist homeless families.
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| DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian went around the streets of Makati with “Rose” who was called an “Honorary Social Worker” by the government agency. Photo credit: DSWD |
However, the honorary title given to Rose sparked backlash from Prof. Thelma Lee Mendoza, former Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Regulatory Board for Social Workers and retired professor from the University of the Philippines’ College of Social Work and Community Development.
In a public letter addressed to Secretary Gatchalian, Mendoza criticized the designation, calling it "unjustified." She emphasized that social work is a regulated profession under R.A. 4373, the Social Work Law, and should not be symbolically awarded without proper evaluation, education, and ethical training.
“In social work, a situation like the above would usually require immediate material assistance, but would always involve a careful assessment of the client's situation, needfulness, and eligibility for other forms of help by the social agency. This is what social workers call "Case Management" based on a systematic problem-solving approach to multi-problem, poverty-stricken individuals, families, groups, and /or communities, as appropriate and necessary, i.e., beyond the giving of “Ayuda”,” Mendoza wrote, pointing out that Rose had not undergone any such process.
“As “Rose” has done nothing of this sort, I believe giving her the title of “Honorary Social Worker” is unjustified. Understandably, countless other persons, reeling from poverty, can be found in pitiable condition of scavenging for whatever they can find, to survive.”
Rose, according to the DSWD, received ₱80,000 in aid to start a small store, and her husband Jerome is being offered skills training and equipment support. Mendoza stressed that while such assistance is commendable, awarding an honorary title tied to a profession with strict standards undermines the decades of training and service by over 33,000 licensed social workers in the Philippines.
She urged the DSWD to withdraw the honorary designation, stating that such titles should be conferred only through recognized bodies like the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) or the National Association for Social Work Education, Inc.
“Social workers engage in different kinds of life-saving, problem-solving interventions for, among others, victims of crises (earthquakes, typhoons,etc.), armed conflicts, physical and emotional abuse of children,women and the elderly, abandoned children ,children in conflict with the law, drug abusers, and others in especially difficult circumstances (like victims of incest, rape, prostituted women, etc.). They are there in the mainstream of community life , helping and working with peopleconfronted by social functioning problems,” Mendoza explained.
““Rose" has offered to join the DSWD outreach program to find others in the same situation that she and her husband are in, but what has she (“Rose”) done for her to be rewarded with the title of “Honorary Social Worker”? When is a person recognized and given the "Honorary___ " title? Who gives it?”
The controversy has ignited a broader conversation on social media about dignity, recognition, and the integrity of professional titles in public service.
As of writing, the DSWD has not issued an official response to Mendoza’s letter.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express