City set to aid “street folk”
TASK Force for the Protection and Prevention of the Street Vulnerable, a new team formed by the Dagupan government, has began combing the city’s streets and hidden corners around the city to complete a profile of the “poorest members of society”.
The team’s target beneficiaries are street children, beggars, abandoned senior citizens, the mentally-ill and women driven into prostitution.
“The task force is making rounds in in places where they usually stay and profile them,” said task force head Marge L. Navata.
She identified these places as Tapuac and Arellano streets, Malimgas and Magsaysay markets and the City Plaza.
So far four street children and two elderly persons have been extended assistance and currently housed at the Task Force office at the Dagupan Poolside.
“They are immediately provided clothing, medication and food by the city government once they are taken in for custody. Then we teach values and acceptable ways of behavior,” Navata said.
“The kind of intervention will depend upon the nature of each case,” she said “and they eventually will be sent home,” she added.
To care for the mentally-ill found in the streets, Navata said treatment and medication will be provided in collaboration with an institution medication and treatment.
Navata said the city’s ultimate goal is to bring these people “back to the center of society”.
STREET CHILDREN
One regular activity being studied is the street children’s participation in the city’s special events, including the City Fiesta in December and the Bangus Festival in April.
“Children’s exposure to such events enhances their talents as well as enhance their social behavior,” Navata said.
She recalled the program for street children during the administration of former Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. from 2007 to 2010.
She said some children were able to go back to school as well as compete in national performance arts contests.
“One child is now performing as a regular member of the Dagupan City National High School, while another one is an honor student in the same school,” she said.
The street children’s participation to the city’s events will begin during the Children’s Month in October.
The task force is composed of representatives of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Anti-Littering Team, Market Division, City Health Office (CHO), City Library, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). (CIO)
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