SIXTY more vagrants were taken out of the streets of Manila since Monday as part of Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s campaign to save hundreds of street dwellers in the capital city.
Estrada reiterated he is doing this campaign primarily to ensure the well-being and safety of those homeless people who are constantly exposed to all kinds of dangers in the streets, including diseases they could easily contract.
“I want them out of the streets because I’d like to give them better shelter, food, and medicines they badly need. Outside, they are susceptible to road accidents crimes, and elements,” Estrada pointed out.
Last February, Estrada issued Executive Order No. 10, directing all concerned city departments to conduct continuous operations to achieve the city government’s goal of “zero street dwellers in the City of Manila.”
In sustained operations that started on April 24, 60 street dwellers were rounded up by the Manila Department of Social Welfare in and around the Plaza Raja Sulayman along Roxas Boulevard in Malate, according to department chief Nanet Tanyag.
Thirty-one of the 60 individuals were minors and out-of-school youths, and three were “substance abusers,” Tanyag said.
The MDSW chief pointed out the city’s anti-street dwelling campaign was not intended to hide the street dwellers for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit being hosted by the country.
“Long before this Asean meeting, we’ve been conducting daily rescue operations,” Tanyag pointed out. “This has nothing to do with it. Mayor Estrada simply wants to help those people.”
Their operations, Tanyag added, are concentrated on Districts 3 (Binondo, Quiapo, San Nicolas, and Sta. Cruz) and District 5 (Ermita, Malate, Paco, Port Area, Intramuros, and San Andres Bukid).
Last month, MDSW rescued a total of 121 street dwellers. They have been turned over to the city-run Manila Boystown Complex in Marikina City for temporary safekeeping, where the children will be enrolled in the Fugoso Integrated School that offers Alternative Learning System for free, according to Tanyag.
At the facility, she said the street people have decent shelters, clothes, food, medicines, and proper healthcare. The adults will undergo development activities such as skills and livelihood training and basic business management courses.
Upon their release, the adults may also be referred to the Public Employment Service Office for job referrals, Tanyag added.