THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines will closely monitor homeless families during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next week and hoped that the Aquino administration will not try to hide the truth from visiting dignitaries.
“Let us see what they will do. Hopefully, they will not try to hide them, but instead look for solutions to the street families,” said Manila Auxilliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairperson of the CBCP permanent committee on public affairs, in an interview over Radio Veritas.
Pabillo confirmed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been distributing P4,000 to each homeless family in Manila so they can rent a temporary home in time for the arrival of 21 heads of state from Nov. 15 to 20.
Pabillo also lamented that the government’s programs for the poor were never effective because they did not address the root causes of the problem, like employment, education and proper relocation.
He also said that most of the programs of the DSWD actually do not improve the lives of the poor and the street dwellers although the government has allocated almost P10 billion for the hosting of the Apec Leaders Summit.
He said during the visit of Pope Francis in the country, the DSWD has spent more than P4.8 million to hide at least 100 street families.
Pabillo recommended the government make clear its program for the poor.