City social welfare agency rescues 622 street dwellers in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) in coordination with the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) has rescued 622 street dwellers, mostly minors, in operations that started last month.

According to the city government, the joint task force was formed to curb the presence of street dwellers in Makati, particularly along major roads. It consists of police officers from the Women and Children Protection Desk and Police Community Precincts of the Makati Police Department, city social workers and MADAC personnel

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay earlier directed the city’s concerned agencies to intensify efforts to curb petty crimes often blamed on street children and to minimize accidents involving minors.

Based on post-operation reports endorsed by the MADAC to Mayor Binay, the task force was able to rescue 296 street dwellers last month and 326 so far this month as a result of continuous rescue operations in critical areas throughout the city.

The report said many of the apprehended individuals were children ages 14 to 17 years who were loitering in Makati and Gil Puyat avenues (formerly Buendia) at night. The rest are adults ages 26 to 55 years old, who were seen sleeping in the side streets and sidewalks.

MADAC chief Jaime Santos said minors rescued for the first time and tested negative for drugs were reunited with their parents, while repeat offenders were referred to the MSWD for turnover to its Social Development Center or Makati Youth Homes. 

The adults - both men and women - were turned over to their respective barangays for disposition. Those found positive for drugs use were subjected to counselling from MSWD social workers, before they were referred to the proper agencies, including government rehabilitation centers. Drug-free non-residents, meanwhile, were endorsed to the Jose Fabella Homes.

Over the two-month period, the joint task force carried out rescue operations in Barangay Poblacion, particularly on P. Burgos Street, Tigris Street, Polaris Street, Makati Avenue and Kalayaan Avenue.  In Barangay Bangkal, street dwellers were rescued in Linera St. corner EDSA, Rodriguez St., A. Mabini St. corner EDSA, A. Bonifacio St. corner Evangelista St., and A. Belarmino St. corner Evangelista St.  Also covered were Arnaiz St. and Medina St. corner Dela Rosa St. in Barangay Pio del Pilar.

Meanwhile, the joint task force last July 15 successfully retrieved and moved to safety some 21 people, consisting of 10 children and 11 adults, from the stretch of J.P. Rizal Extension leading to the Pasig River Ferry-Guadalupe Station, and from the Makati Park and Garden in Brgy. Cembo before the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda.