Many homeless Filipinos left out of cash aid – CHR

FILE PHOTO: Filipinos queue for cash subsidy from the government amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Aug. 27, 2020. (REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the government to provide food and shelter to homeless families amid reports that many of them had yet to receive aid during the earlier days of the pandemic.

In a statement on Saturday, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia specifically called for the capital region’s component cities to provide for at least 3 million homeless in their areas, many of whom did not receive assistance during the three lockdowns.

“With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the community transmission of the Delta variant, this marginalized sector is faced with greater risks of infection. Further, they face discrimination in accessing social and health services, including vaccines. There is also a perception among them that they have no right to access vaccines,” she said.

READ: Street life: Manila’s homeless find shelter in pushcarts

The CHR urged local governments to make homeless people eligible for social amelioration programs even if they are not residents, and help them get vaccinated.