COVID-19: Street dwellers in Manila seek refuge at Delpan Sports Complex

MANILA, Philippines — Everyone in Luzon has been told to stay home while the enhanced community quarantine is in effect in the region. But for some, such a directive might be hard to follow.

In Manila, there are those who used to start and end their days on the streets and now have to seek refuge at the Delpan Sports Complex – waiting for donations from good Samaritans to survive the month-long isolation.

A street dweller in Manila is all smiles as he seeks refuge at the Delpan Sports Complex along with 129 other homeless residents in the city amid the enhanced community quarantine being imposed in Luzon. (Photo by Manila Public Information Office)

Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) chief Julius Leonen said 130 individuals are staying at the sports complex, among them are 17 senior citizens and six minors.

He said employees of the Manila Department of Social Welfare have been attending to the needs of the city’s homeless residents.

“They’re being served breakfast, lunch and dinner. Maintained din as much as possible ang social distancing (Social distancing is also being maintained as much as possible),” he told reporters in a Viber message.

Leonen added that donations for the street dwellers are directly sent by the Manila City government to those staying at the facility.

Around P30,000 is being spent daily on their food and hygiene necessities, he also said.

So far, the city government has received donations such as food, hygiene kits, sleeping mats, and beverages for the homeless from private companies.

“[We are] hoping for more donations to come for the City of Manila’s citizens,” said Leonen.

Street dwellers who refuse to be rescued by city government officials, however, will not be forced to stay at the sports complex, according to Leonen.

Homeless families Manila are being sheltered by the city government at the Delpan Sports Complex amid the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine. (Photo from Manila Public Information Office)

The national government has ordered that the entire Luzon be placed under enhanced community quarantine from March 17 until midnight on April 13, in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

So far, the number of individuals who have been infected by the disease nationwide is now at 230 as of Friday, including 13 new cases. The death toll is now at 18, with one new addition in the count, while the number of recoveries remains at eight.

Manila has recorded 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Four of them are now getting well, according to Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. Another 41 patients under investigation (PUIs) were also recorded in the city.

Leonen said those who want to donate to residents of Manila affected by the quarantine may coordinate with the Manila Department of Social Welfare at 8527-4916 or deposit to the city’s account with Landbank of the Philippines. He said any currency will be accepted in the city’s trust fund with the bank.

KGA