Some homeless Pinoys left out of COVID-19 aid program

Several homeless Filipinos in Metro Manila are struggling amid the enhanced community quarantine after being left out of the government's aid program.

According to Ian Cruz's Monday report on 24 Oras, homeless people near the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City rush to vehicles that stop in front of them to ask for help.

“‘Yung barangay namin minsan lang naman magdala ng [pagkain] dito,” one man said.

“‘Yung barangay, mula po no’ng mag-lockdown, apat na beses lang po [nagbigay]. Pero City Hall po, ‘di pa po namin napapansin dito e,” another homeless woman added.

They said that barangay officials explained to them that they were left out of the government’s cash subsidy program because they were homeless, single, and had no children.

“Patingnan ko po sila,” Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano assured. “Kasi siyempre from time to time, lalo na ngayon, napapansin namin marami ang hindi taga-lungsod ng Pasay… nagpupunta na ngayon, dito nag-i-stay.”

Aid in Quezon City

Officials of Barangay Immaculate Concepcion in Quezon City handed out relief goods to around 18 homeless people in their vicinity.

Local authorities added that some 20 homeless people were brought to the City Social Welfare and Development Office's shelter since the quarantine began in March.

However, an official said the homeless people they took in often leave the shelter.

“Sardinas po pinapakain… Saka marami na po kami doon e, ang baho po no’ng kanal tapos ‘yung CR ang baho po e,” Feliciano Abad said.

He added that they prefer to be out in the streets as long as they have a decent place to sleep in.

Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center

Meanwhile, the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center has taken some 441 homeless people under its wing in its eight safe centers.

In addition, they are also attending to some 200 homeless people from Quezon City and another 200 from Manila.

“This time of pandemic, we are called to do more. Let us not allow our hearts to be affected by the virus. We are called to be more compassionate to address the crisis,” Fr. Flavie Villanueva said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News