GMA By Aurea Calicarestores ‘order’ at Boys Town,

Behave, boys, behave.

No, President Arroyo was neither addressing her Cabinet nor her critics, but the children at Manila Boys Town in Parang, Marikina after they turned unruly as food was distributed to them by no less than the Chief Executive yesterday.

"Behave, fall in line, everybody will have their share," the President told the children.

The 159 kids at the rehabilitation facility received an early Christmas treat from the President, who visited the complex to distribute gifts and food to the young wards.

Officials said the street kids were taken to Boys Town as part of the "cleanup drive" for the coming Southeast Asian Games hosted by Manila.

Police and workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development rounded up 159 street children this month alone in the capital.

The President arrived at 10 a.m. and was welcomed by officials of the DSWD, led by Acting Secretary Lualhati Pablo, and Boys Town administrator Daniel Cabangangan.

Mrs. Arroyo, assisted by Pablo, distributed slippers, candies and food items to the children.

Cabangangan said the President visited the complex to see for herself the delivery of services and other interventions the young wards were getting.

According to Pablo, a child is given temporary shelter and basic necessities and taught moral values.

Before leaving Boys Town, the President presided over a meeting with sports officials led by Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon and National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Vidal Querol.

Discussed during the meeting were the preparations for the opening of SEA Games on Sunday.

Querol said they would be on heightened alert with the holding of sports events in the different parts of the country.