The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday forged a partnership for the implementation of the Client Referral and Psycho-Social Intervention Program to help individuals in crisis achieve justice.

The partnership is pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for executive agencies to work together in providing holistic interventions to those in need to achieve a “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) where Filipinos are free from poverty and hunger, and protected from any form of abuse.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla signed the memorandum of understanding at the DOJ central office in Ermita, Manila.

“Through the partnership, the DOJ will refer clients in crisis situations due to circumstances of injustice inflicted upon them. In turn, we will provide financial assistance to help them as they seek justice, along with psycho-social interventions to aid in their recovery,” Gatchalian said in his message.

He thanked the DOJ for recognizing the need to address the psycho-social needs of individuals in crisis as they pursue the full remedies of the law.

“Oftentimes, we hear stories about the poor and the vulnerable sectors unable to get justice and assistance to pursue their cases, and of victims who failed to access the interventions they need,” he said.

In implementing the Client Referral and Psycho-Social Intervention Program, the DSWD and DOJ acknowledged the importance of justice in building a just and progressive nation.

The undertaking follows the whole-of- government approach in addressing the Filipino people’s needs, especially for the DOJ clients in crisis situations.

“With the program, clients of the DOJ Action Center who are in crisis can rest assured that the DSWD and DOJ will accompany them in their journey for justice” Gatchalian said. (PNA)