The Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) reached out some 136 individuals through the operations of its @savestreetkids twitter account in the first quarter this year, in coordination with concerned city social welfare and development offices (CSWDOs) of the local government units.

 

Of these, 45 are children, 31 adults and 18 street families. They were provided with counseling, transportation, medical, livelihood and educational assistance in coordination with the concerned LGUs.

 

Of the reached-out individuals, there were 111 returned home, while the 25 who have no relatives in Metro Manila were referred to DSWD centers and residential care facilities for temporary shelter and provision of social services.

 

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said that the use of this micro-blogging site is a strategy that will contribute to the attainment of DSWD’s goal to achieve zero incidence of street children in critical areas in Metro Manila.   Through this, the public were provided with access to report the various activities of the street children and families such as those who are sleeping, loitering, begging, vending, and staying on the streets.

 

Since the operations of @savestreetkids twitter account project in November 2012, Ortigas Avenue, San Juan City and Madrigal Avenue, Muntinlupa City have achieved zero incidence of street children. ###