Some families live on the streets of Metro Manila. (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The DSWD will rescue street dwellers, especially children and indigenous peoples (IP), wandering about the streets during the holiday season.
In a statement issued on Saturday, DSWD spokesperson Glenda Relova said the department would be working with local government units to reach out to street children and members of the IP community begging for money.
“The DSWD continues to maintain its close coordination with our LGUs to help street dwellers. The reach out is being conducted by the local governments. The LGUs then refer those they have reached out to us, just like what the cities of Quezon, Pasay, and Mandaluyong are doing,” Relova said.
Relova said the street dwellers would be turned over to DSWD centers, which would provide, among other things, medical check-ups and food.
“Our centers are prepared to receive them,” Relova said. “When the rescued street children and street families are brought to our centers, our social workers carry out a comprehensive case analysis to determine the best possible way to assist them. They are also provided with various services, such as initial check-ups and provision of hot meals and hygiene kits.”
Relova added that the deparment would implement “Balik-Probinsya Program,” which would include transportation, especially to the IPs, to help them return to their provinces.
“So far, we have referred three batches of IPs to our Field Office in Region III, which then assisted them to go back to their homes and provinces. There will be two more batches of Aetas whom we will assist to go back home,” Relova said.
She also advised the public to help the street children and IPs by referring them in the DSWD.
“Again, we are appealing to the public not to give alms. Mas mainam po na ang ating tulong ay idirekta natin sa long-term programs na makakapagbigay ng komprehensibong tulong sa ating mga kababayang IPs at street children,” she said.
[It would be better to direct our help to long-term programs that would provide a comprehensive help to our fellow citizens who are IPs and street children.]
/atm