DSWD's improved homeless rescue program has been confirmed.
This photo taken on November 29, 2022 shows a group of homeless people resting next to their pushcart outside an abandoned building in Quezon City, suburban Manila. - Pushcarts, known as karitons, are a common sight in the city of more than 13 million people.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development already announced when will this new effort be implemented.
During a media forum, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that they haven't halted their reach-out operations for street dwellers in the Philippines.
But, they still want to enhance these efforts to further help the homeless.
DSWD's Improved Homeless Rescue Program To Arrive!
Gatchalian said that in the upcoming weeks, DSWD will work with LGUs (local government units) to ensure that their reach-out efforts complement one another.
A homeless child and her mother wearing facemasks rest inside a gymnasium converted into a shelter for the homeless who are unable to feed themselves and unable to work because of government lockdown measures on April 1, 2020 in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has sealed off Luzon, the country's largest and most populous island, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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According to CNN Philippines' latest report, DSWD's improved rescue program for the homeless will be permanent.
Aside from this, it will also have a rights-based approach. The DSWD official confirmed that the new program will be a "mainstay program of the department."
Since the new rescue project will rely on the rights-based approach, this means that police forces will no longer be used.
Instead, Gatchalian said that the program will be a non-violent one. DSWD is already recruiting more social workers to assist with the new homeless rescue program.
DSWD Homeless Rescue Program's Other Details
Of course, DSWD will also ensure the safety of participating social workers.
To make this possible, residents who will help with the new homeless rescue program will wear body cameras during rescue missions.
DSWD said that it already informed the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) about the launch date of its new rescue program for street dwellers. As of writing, DSWD is expected to launch it in July.
This new effort from the Philippine government's executive department is a big deal since the homeless are still increasing in numbers.
The Homeless World Cup stated that over 4 million Filipinos are still living in unsustainable areas, such as streets.
This means that millions of Filipino families are suffering from lack of safety, as well as access to clean water and safe sanitation.
If you want to learn more about the status of the homeless in the Philippines, you can click this link.
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