Bayan slams DSWD for hiding poor during papal visit

MANILA, Philippines—An umbrella militant group lambasted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for “deliberately hiding the poor and the homeless” during the recent visit of Pope Francis.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) warned that the DSWD might repeat the scheme in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Forum slated in November.

“Every time there is a big international event, the Aquino government would scramble to hide the poor and homeless from the eyes of the international media and guests,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said.

The DSWD admitted that they brought 490 homeless people and street children to the Chateau Royale in Nasugbu, Batangas, in time for the visit of Pope Francis.

In a Time article, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said the homeless individuals were brought to the posh resort so they would “not be vulnerable to the influx of people coming to witness the Pope.”

Room rates in Chateau Royale range from P6,300 to P24,300.

“They would claim to ‘rescue’ the poor and bring them to an outing or camping trip for the duration of the event. After this, they go back to the streets and return to their impoverished conditions,” Reyes said.

In 2014, the DSWD also brought homeless people to Island Cove resort in Cavite during the World Economic Forum in Makati City.

“The Aquino government is again whitewashing poverty. This is no different from what Imelda Marcos did during her term as governor of Metropolitan Manila. What the DSWD does is unacceptable and should be stopped,” Reyes said.

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