MMDA, DSWD to relocate Roxas Blvd street dwellers

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vowed yesterday to step up their campaign to remove street dwellers from Roxas Boulevard.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said their agency will establish a satellite office, manned by DSWD personnel, at the ground floor of its Gwapotel 1 building in Port Area, Manila to coordinate the rescue of street dwellers starting next week.

He said the DSWD will help the MMDA keep track of the rescued street children and families, including those who returned to the streets after being rescued.

The rescued street dwellers will be taken to the Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City, a halfway house for homeless people run by the DSWD, where they will be provided a complete package of social protection services such as “balik-probinsya assistance” as well as educational, food and livelihood assistance.