The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) conducted a three-day Multi-Stakeholders’ Summit from October 27-29, 2014 which aimed to address the needs and concerns of street dwellers.
Some 71 partners from government agencies, non-government organizations, local government units, international organizations, corporate foundations and street dwellers participated in the said summit and committed to the convergence of programs for the empowerment of children-at-risk in the streets and families living on the streets so that they will not be left behind.
DSWD-NCR Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said that the theme, “Pagtutulungan tungo sa ligtas at kaaya-ayang pamumuhay,” emphasizes the need to work together in collaboration with all sectors to properly address the issues and concerns of street dwellers.
From the workshop outputs, new ideas and strategies emerged which will be the basis of implementing innovative programs to effectively address the concerns of street dwellers.
The participants joined in a series of workshops on determining their understanding of urban street dwelling and how it affects them.
During the presentation, Jennifer M. Quijano from Quezon City, a former street dweller, who is a beneficiary of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families, recalled her experiences living along the railroad tracks. “Salamat sa tulong ng DSWD, nagkaroon kami ng ligtas na tirahan, at hindi na ako mangangamba para sa aking mga anak,” (We thank the DSWD for all the support and for giving us a safe shelter away from the streets. I will never have to fear for the safety of my children.) She emphasized that they really need the aid of the government in the hope of improving their way of life.
OIC-ARD Jacel J. Paguio also shared the regional situationer of street dwellers in NCR, which helped the participants understand them better.
Meanwhile, among the ten (10) areas for collaboration identified three (3) priorities were “Education for All,” “Employment Sustainability,” and “Advocacy and Legislation.”
The summit was concluded with an executive session, led by DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman together with Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, General Manager Corazon Jimenez and executives and other key officials of government agencies. A commitment signing was also conducted after the press conference to elicit support and a call to action for the improvement of the lives of people living in the streets.
In the press conference held after the executive session, Secretary Soliman emphasized that “ang kalsada ay hindi ligtas na tirahan para sa mga bata.” Together with the secretary were Mayor Bautista and Social Services Development Department head Ms. Teresa Mariano of Quezon City; Assistant Department Head of Manila City Social Welfare and Development Office Ms. Jean Joaquin, General Manager Jimenez of MMDA, and some empowered street dwellers. ###