DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan shared during the recent Regional Management Development Conference that Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Secretary Francis Tolentino announced that the “Task Force Roxas Boulevard” campaign will continue until December this year.

It will be recalled that DSWD and MMDA launched in May 24 the Task Force Roxas Boulevard to free the area from street dwellers and informal settlers until June 12, 2013.

Bonoan said the ‘Task Force Roxas Boulevard” will continue to work at obtaining zero street dwellers along Roxas Boulevard stretching from Del Pan, Manila; Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Pasay City; Baclaran coastal area and NAIA Terminal in Parañaque City.

“This is jointly implemented by the DSWD, MMDA and the cities of Manila, Pasay and Parañaque which will facilitate immediate response to reports on street children, street families and Bajaus,” said Bonoan.

Bonoan added that DSWD street facilitators and MMDA personnel shall be visible in the area to reach-out to children doing street activities and families who made the streets as their homes.

The reached-out individuals and families will undergo assessment and profiling at MMDA Workers Inn, located along Roxas Boulevard for provision of social services and referral to the concerned LGUs and/or centers, for temporary shelter.

As of June 8, 2013, some 449 individuals, 36 families and 48 minors have been reached-out and were referred to concerned LGUs or agencies, temporary shelter at DSWD institutions and provided discounted fees at MMDA Worker’s Inn, among others.  ###