To continue the advocacy in providing real time 24/7 access to reach out to street kids in Metro Manila, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) held a meeting with representatives from the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), barangay chairpersons and their staff on February13, 2013.

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said the meeting was called to address the concerns on street children and how to strengthen coordination with each other to reduce the incidence of street children in Metro Manila.

“Those called to attend this meeting were those barangays and LGUs that are frequently reported in DSWD @savestreetkids twitter account with numerous street children,” Bonoan added.

Accordingly, representatives from the following LGUs and barangays were present: QUEZON CITY (Baranganys Loyola Heights, Socorro, E. Rodriguez, Valencia, Immaculate Concepcion); MANILA CITY (Barangays 728, 734, 274, 653, 192,142); PASAY CITY (Barangays 192, 194 and 198); PASIG CITY (Brgy.Ugong South) MANDALUYONG CITY (Barangays Wack-Wack and Highway Hills); SAN JUAN CITY (Brgy. Greenhills); MAKATI CITY (Brgy. San Antonio); PARAñAQUE CITY (Brgy. Tambo); and LAS PIñAS City (Bgy. Zapote)

It will be recalled that DSWD created a twitter account specific for response and reach-out of street children in Metro Manila as one of its strategies to reduce the number of street children by responding immediately to reports from the public using this social networking site.

Its implementation supports the project under the Comprehensive Program for Street Children, Street Families and IPs which aims to provide a package of services and interventions to respond to the needs of street children.