Brighter lights, no vendors for papal convoy

MANILA, Philippines - Brighter streetlights and roads cleared of vendors and street children greeted Pope Francis on the day his motorcade first hit Metro Manila streets on its way to the Apostolic Nunciature yesterday.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Capital Region (NCR) director Reynaldo Tagudando said they have increased the wattage of bulbs for streetlights along Roxas Boulevard between Pasay City and Coastal Mall in Parañaque, but clarified it was “in compliance with the Road Board’s instructions and not because of the papal visit.” He said he couldn’t remember the wattage of the new bulbs.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman admitted her department and some local government units were keeping children off the streets, but only to protect them and not to hide them from Pope Francis.

She was reacting to a report by Britain’s Daily Mail Online that children were being “caged” to keep streets clean for Pope Francis.

“We do not tolerate this practice. We put child abusers in jail,” Soliman stressed.

“We are not hiding the children. In fact, more than 400 street children will be singing during the send-off for Pope Francis on Monday,” she said. 

“They have been practicing since December. The pope will see and interact with them,” she maintained.

The children are beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Comprehensive Program for Street Children, which provides education to them and livelihood packages to their parents.

The department’s Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program (MCCT) also gives the children cash assistance for their school and health needs, as well as for house rental.

Also joining the send-off activity are abandoned children undergoing rehabilitation in DSWD centers and institutions.

“Reaching out to street children is a regular program of the department meant to keep them off the street where it is dangerous for their health and safety,” she said.

“The MCCT is likewise a continuing program for them, since 2013. We are not doing all these for the pope’s visit,” she added.

Soliman claimed some of the photos published with the article in the Daily Mail Online were old photographs. “Corrective measures have been undertaken since the time that the reports came out,” she said.

She cited the photo of an emaciated young boy named Federico.

“Federico has already gained weight and is being cared for by an NGO with DSWD. We have found his mother and we are currently doing case work management with the mother,” she pointed out.

The DSWD chief said she has ordered an investigation into allegations of neglect at children’s centers in Parañaque City and Pasay City.

With regard to the Manila Reception Action Center (MRAC), Soliman said the DSWD is in the process of closing the facility.

“We are now transferring the children-residents to other DSWD-licensed NGOs and DSWD managed facilities,” Soliman said.

Meanwhile, the areas around Baclaran Church had also been cleared of vendors.

As not all those wishing to get a glimpse of the pope would leave their cars at home, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is asking schools and shopping malls near Rizal Park to open their parking areas to the public.

In a final press briefing, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said schools such as Sta. Isabel College, St. Scholastica’s College, Adamson University, Philippine Women’s University, Manila Science High School and the Technological University of the Philippines should open their parking areas to attendees of the papal mass on Sunday. He said the faithful would certainly not mind paying for parking spaces.– With Mike Frialde, Rainier Allan Ronda, Aie Balagtas See, Perseus Echeminada