SOME 25 street children and sidewalk dwellers were rounded up by both Cebu City Hall and the Capitol yesterday, 10 more than those “rescued” since last Monday.
Ester Concha, chief of City Hall’s Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS), said this brings to 40 the number of streetkids and sidewalk dwellers brought to the ground floor of the old Compania Maritima building.
Concha said those who were rounded up can roam around the city during daytime, but they must return to their designated quarters in the building’s ground floor.
“Their stay there is temporary. There’s no food, just sleeping quarters,” she said.
Folding beds, electric fans and free water supply are provided in the temporary shelter.
The dwellers were also allowed to stay in the container vans at the Devotee City, just beside the Compania Maritima building since there are still four devotees in the facility.
The city government asked the provincial government to provide transportation to street dwellers who are willing to return to their hometowns.
Of the 40 who were rounded up, four families were sent home.
Two street families were sent to barangay Kamputhaw and two street families were told to go back to barangay Labangon.
A minor was brought to his parents in barangay Carreta.
Another family asked the city government for transportation fare for Toledo City.
Concha said they have a P2.8-million budget for streetkids and families. The funds will be used to help them start a livelihood.
Concha said they will choose someone from their community who will act as a “leader” to encourage fellow street dwellers not to sleep on the roads anymore. In return, he or she will be given an honorarium.
Concha said barangay Labangon, Katipunan St. and V. Rama Ave. were cleared of street dwellers.
They are now scouring B. Rodriguez St., Fuente Osmeña rotunda, then City Hall.
The Devotee City’s function was extended to January 31 to house those attending the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).
There are four devotees–three from from Leyte and one devotee from Dumanjug town—who are staying in the container vans that occupy the Devotee City at the South Road Properties (SRP).
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
