10 MM thoroughfares to be cleared of street kids

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is aiming for zero presence of street children and families in 10 major streets and avenues in Metro Manila.

Alice Bonoan, DSWD National Capital Region director, said recent street children rescue operations in Ortigas Avenue in San Juan and Madrigal Avenue in Muntinlupa resulted in “zero incidence” of street children in these areas.

She also said that rescue operations are in progress in Quezon Avenue, Kalayaan Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Balintawak Avenue, airport area in Parañaque, Kapasigan area in Pasig, and Barangay E. Rodriguez in Quezon City.

Rescued children will be brought to the barangay. If their parents are identified, they will be counseled and made to sign an agreement that the next time their children are seen on streets, DSWD will take custody of them.

“We hope to target zero incidence of street children, families and IPs (indigenous peoples) like Badjaos,” Bonoan said. “The street is not the place for children and their families.”

The DSWD also uses the social media site Twitter in the rescue operation. The DSWD NCR created the @savestreetkids account on Twitter where the public could tweet the places where street children are seen loitering.