But starting today, hundreds of street children will find a warm bed in The Haven for Children, a rehabilitation center in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
And in one of life’s greatest equalizers, the children will be living in prime real estate, a stone’s throw away from posh Ayala Alabang Subdivision. The Haven for Children stands on government property facing the Alabang Town Center, valued at P100,000 per square meter.
Inaugurated by President Arroyo, the complex was built with funds raised by the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. (CSFI), headed by Gina de Venecia, wife of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.
It will be run by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
"I remember that when I was Social Welfare secretary in 1998, we had rescued so many street children but we ran out of places to bring them," recalled Mrs. Arroyo.
"We are dangerous when we dream," said Mrs. De Venecia at yesterday’s inauguration of four buildings of The Haven. After 18 months of fundraising by the CSFI, the Haven was ready to welcome its first 300 children.
The buildings are painted in yellow and blue, yellow "to represent the hope of brighter days for the children who live here." The complex was designed by architect Jerry Contreras.
"We see them everyday, on street corners, in the midst of traffic, knocking on our car windows. By the grace of God – we stand here today, realizing the first phase of our dream," said Mrs. De Venecia. The second phase of the center involves the construction of five more buildings.
Also present during the inauguration were former President Corazon Aquino, Speaker De Venecia, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon and CSFI officers led by Nikki Teodoro, Pacita Gonzales, Marissa Andaya, Georgia Remulla, Vicky Ablan, Bernadette Barbers, Asuncion Espina, Czarina Umali, Zenaida Angping, Jennifer Badelles, Louie Locsin, Ruth Padilla, Estrella Bacullo, Nona Lobregat, Rhodora Nograles, Carmen Monfort, Judith Cajes, Grace Chungalao and Salic Dumarpa.