Abandoned GSIS building eyed as shelter for homeless families

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is looking at an abandoned Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building in Ermita, Manila as a temporary shelter for 1,250 street families.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said yesterday their Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program for Homeless Street Families has registered more than 4,000 families in Metro Manila.

Of this number, Soliman said the DSWD has yet to find housing for 1,250 families.

“We can use the GSIS building as a temporary shelter for the families,” Soliman said during the celebration of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) National Family Day at the Ultra complex in Ortigas, Pasig City.

“We expect to finish repair work on the building this month,” she added.

The DSWD program aims to keep families, especially children out of Metro Manila streets, particularly in Quezon City and Manila. It is part of the government’s 4Ps program.

Soliman said the beneficiaries would receive educational, health, and livelihood assistance in preparation for their community reintegration.