City strengthening efforts vs homelessness

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board has been rounding up mendicants and street dwellers and more operations can be expected this month, but there is more to these operations than simply cleaning the streets of homeless individuals, said Rosalima Cimagala, one of the board’s administrative officers.

Cimagala said they would want to know why these individuals keep on returning to the streets so that proper interventions can be put in place.

The board would also want to know if its current programs are truly effective.

At present, the city government has the “Gasasa Gugma” center for the elderly; community scout facilities for the orphaned children, and “Balik Probinsya Program” for those from outside Cebu City.

The city is also conceptualizing half-way houses and enhanced livelihood training programs, among others, to assist homeless families fend for themselves.

“After the processing, we will collate the data and make a sort of research to find appropriate intervention that we can give them. It’s not that they have lived on streets since they were born so that is why we are gathering them to know the cause,” she said.

Last Friday, August 14, the board rescued at least 62 individuals and brought them to the sports complex in Barangay San Roque.

One of those rescued was Anita Amodia, 76, and her son.

Amodia said she and her son had settled in the streets since she became a widow in 1988, scavenging for plastic bottles or valuables they can sell for at least P20 a day. Her son would contribute some P70 and up to P170 a day from watching over vehicles at parking area.

She said they used to rent a house but were forced to move out because they could no longer afford the rent.

“Amo lang untang tuyo nga aduna mi kapapahuwayan, balay nga among kapuy-an. Mao na among gikinahanglan kay lisod kaayo og walay kapuy-an, walay kahigdaan,” she added.

Last Friday was the third time Amodia was rescued from there.  (FREEMAN)