Manila's poor suffer amid quarantine but denies harassing motorists

The Manila Police District (MPD) on Friday denied reports about street dwellers allegedly flagging down vehicles along Taft Avenue and harassing motorists into giving them money.

"Ang ating kapulisan naman ay nag-ikot ngayon so wala po kaming naitatalang record sa lungsod ng Maynila tungkol s sinasabi nilang iyan," said Police Colonel Carlo Manuel, MPD spokesman, in a report on 24 Oras on Friday.

Street dwellers living on the center island of Lawton Street interviewed by GMA News also denied harassing motorists to get money.

"Kung mayroon huminto na tao naka-kotse (at) magbibigay, iyon lang po tinatanggap namin. Pero iyong haharangin namin (at) nanlilimos kami, hindi po," said Willie Clamor, a former barker.

Rolando Gahol, another street dweller, admitted having a hard time fending for themselves as they make do with what little rice they have and a few pieces of canned goods.

But one thing he has been advising his children against was resorting to begging for money on the streets.

Gahol admitted it might not be long, however, until he gets forced to ask for alms, as Luzon continues to be under an enhanced community quarantine to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 in the Philippines.

"Masakit, hindi namin kaya. Kung hanggang doon talaga, aabot kami sa panlilimos. Gagawin namin makakain lang ang mga bata," he said.

The local city government has already stepped in to help Manila residents heavily affected by the quarantine, by temporarily employing them as drivers of electric bicycles or e-bikes that ferry health workers and other frontliners.

The drivers are paid the daily minimum wage of P530. -MDM, GMA News