Rama Vows to Curb ‘Street Dwelling’

“I’d rather lose but save lives than win and cost the lives of many, I will not stop in solving street dwelling problems in Cebu City guided with our thrust and direction of a public-privately driven governance,” said Cebu City Mayor Rama during the multi-sectoral meeting set to answer the emerging problems of the city’s street dwellers held on July 4, 2013 at the Prince Room of Crown Regency Hotel along Osmeña Boulevard.

With the convergence of stakeholders through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mayor Rama vows to support the move to help solve the problems on people living in the streets for the beautification of the city.

Edward Lacanilao, from the Journeying with the People Living in the Streets Foundation, shared a proposed project entitled, ‘Building a New Community for the People Living in the Streets for the Beautification of Cebu City’.

Lacanilao said the project aims to strengthen the original relocation site, establish a low cost housing while building a new community, and intensify the child-base centers run by the city. It also includes the upgrading of the City Center as a temporary place for all the street families rescued by the city.

Jose Ma. Montelebano, from Gawad Kalinga, also talked about the initiatives for “Kontra Gutom,” and encouraged everyone to do their share in extending a helping hand to help the needy.

For her part, Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Task Force head, Isabelita Ganub also shared the city’s effort in solving the deviation. She cited that currently, there are 20 families housed in the City Center and that while the city provides a temporary shelter for the rescued street dwellers, some of them were given assistance through the Balik Probinsya Program.

Ganub also reiterated the problems in the City Center as a temporary shelter of rescued street dwellers such as the lack of ventilation causing minor illness to some rescued street dwellers and lack of enough social workers, and the need to improve the facility.

The group has scheduled a profiling of all rescued street dwellers on July 20, Saturday at the City’s Children’s Playground in the historical Plaza Independecia.

Moreover, the cause is supported by different sectors and stakeholders from various government offices, Academe, Volunteer groups, Foundations and the like.  (By: Greggy Jiggs P. Senados, PIO Staff)