Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has directed the city government’s social welfare unit to double its efforts in removing vagrants and homeless children from the streets where they are most susceptible to road accidents and crimes.
Estrada, however, clarified that he issued the order not because he considers street people eyesores but he wants to give them a better chance in life.
“Instead of seeking alms and getting involved in crimes, those homeless people, especially the street children, need care and guidance. We’re taking them out of the streets to protect them,” he said.
The Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) has formed Task Force Reach-Out to carry out the rescue operations, the latest of which was conducted last week in Binondo where 121 street people were taken into custody.
(Jamie Rose R. Aberia)