CSWD strives for long-term shelters for the homeless amid safety concerns
by Pauline Anne Basan, Kyla Elyza Macapanas | May 26, 2024
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Due to public concern and safety, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) on Thursday, May 23, emphasized the need to provide long-term facilities for homeless people in the city.
“Kailangan natin ng facility for [the homeless people] at ‘yun ‘yung isa sa challenge ni Baguio kasi nahihirapan tayo sa lote where to put up the center, ‘yung shelter natin,” said by Racquel Madlon, Social Welfare Officer II, in an interview.
Madlon said that their office frequently receives complaints from store owners in the city because of the homeless.
Who are considered homeless?
“Yung mga sinasabi naman natin na homeless, ito talaga yung mga tinatawag naming psychotic vagrant. Ito sila ‘yung nakikita natin na sa gilid-gilid,” Madlon clarified.
She added that mendicants or beggars could not be immediately classified as homeless considering that they have their own homes.
“May bahay ang mga iyon at hindi lahat taga Baguio kasi syempre alam natin na si Baguio ay nasa gitna. May as far as La Union nga kami eh, umaakyat lang sila para lang manghingi,” she said.
Madlon reported that as of Thursday, May 23, there are 12 psychotic vagrants seen in the city.
“Kaya may referral kami, may medical intervention, may temporary shelter tayo kung saan natin sila pwede dalhin kasi as of now actually wala tayong facility na magcacater sa kanila,” she said.
What are the temporary shelters?
Madlon mentioned that one of the temporary shelters they offered is the Silungan Center under CSWDO at Upper Session Road.
According to the city government website, Silungan Center aims to “provide temporary shelter and home life services to individuals and families for a short period while processing their needs.”
“Parang temporary lang siya na shelter like for example dito natin dinadala halimbawa may mga cases ng VAWC (violence against women and children),” Madlon said. “Kung gusto nila may paglilipasan ng gabi o may temporary na tutulugan, ‘yun ‘yung si Silungan Center na nagcacater sa lahat ng klase ng clientele category.”
Other parts of the clientele category are Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP), Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDC), Victims of RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking), distressed, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens, based on the website.
“Kung titingnan mo halo-halo [ang clientele category] tapos isasama natin ang mga psychotic vagrants na hindi natin alam yung kapasidad, naiintindihan ba nila ito ganyan, paano kung may gagawin siya na hindi fit for shelter? Iyon ang isa sa mga challenges natin,” Madlon added.
Therefore, she shared that there is a separate process for psychotic vagrants before they are accommodated in the Silungan Center.
“Irerefer natin sila sa BGH (Baguio General Hospital) tapos uundergo sila ng medication, proper intervention medically tapos i-ceclear siya ni psychiatrist sasabihin niya na fit for shelter or okay na siya, then dadalhin na namin [sa center],” she said.
“Kaya hindi kami magdadala ng walang medical certificate na galing sa doctor,” she added.
On March 3, the city, with the effort of CSWDO, established a “warming center” for the homeless at the Baguio Convention Cultural Center.
However, Madlon shared that it became temporary as it is not a property of the city government.
“Iyong naging kontrata or yung MOA (Memorandum of Agreement), I think is parang for that micro specific lang na time na pwede nating gamitin,” she said.
What are the current services for homeless people?
According to the city government website, the CSWDO also offers the “Balik Probinsya,” which pays for individuals’ traveling expenses when they return permanently to their hometown.
“May Balik Probinsya program tayo, i-poprocess yung financial assistance kumbaga tutulong kami kung paano sila uuwi pero as much as possible tatawagan ang family member nila para susunduin nila,” Madlon said.
Madlon added that in cases where the families cannot pick up their relatives, the CSWDO personnel will accompany them home to ensure their safety.
She also mentioned that there is a current support group, “Anxiety and Depression Support Group-Baguio City (ADSG-BC)”, led by Ricky Ducas, the City Mental Health Unit Coordinator.
“They are trained on how to respond and manage yung mga cases na ganito kasi syempre pag mga psychotic dapat alam mo baka mamaya maging aggressive na siya, ‘yung mga ganun hindi basta-basta talaga ang pag-aapproach sa kanila,” Madlon said.
Meanwhile, Madlon also revealed that as of now, there are no non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that offer additional services and sponsorships.
What are the other ways to help?
Madlon added that despite lacking facilities, they push for donations like brand-new or gently used clothing and medications.
“Madami ‘yung mga damit kasi madaming nagdodonate kaso kung titingnan mo hindi na mga usable,” she said.
Moreover, Madlon also said that cash donations are accepted, following policies including signing acknowledgment receipts, presenting them to the treasury, and making committee allocation decisions.
