DSWD identifies 10 areas with most street kids

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has identified 10 areas in Metro Manila with high concentrations of street children.

The agency said in a statement issued yesterday it will prioritize these areas in a campaign to help street children.

The areas were identified as Roxas Boulevard in Manila; Kalayaan Road, Barangay E. Rodriguez and Quezon Avenue in Quezon City; Balintawak in Caloocan City; Greenhills and Ortigas in San Juan City; Kapasigan in Pasig City; Madrigal Avenue in Alabang, Muntinlupa City; and along NAIA Road in Parañaque City.

The DSWD said it will work with the academe, local government units and the private sector in implementing a comprehensive program for street dwellers, especially Badjaos, to have “zero incidence of street children and street families” in these areas.

Members of the Badjao tribe are often seen begging from motorists during the holiday season.

The agency earlier said it will fully implement a Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program this year to reduce the number of homeless families.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman earlier said the program’s beneficiaries will receive housing or rental assistance of as much as P4,000 to rent an apartment for as long as six months. They will also receive cash grants for education, health and nutrition, she said.