QUEZON CITY -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the grand launch of the Caravan of Special Protection Programs for children, families, and Indigenous Peoples in street situations, on Thursday, December 22, at the Open Ampitheater, Luneta Park.
Dubbed “Pangkabuhayan at Pamaskong Handog ng Pangulo at Unang Ginang Marcos at ng Sambayanang Pilipino para sa mga Indigenous Peoples at Street Dwellers,” the caravan is a joint project of the Office of the President and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in response to the directive of the President to bring the government closer to the vulnerable sector.
“Sa pamamagitan ng event na ito, sana lahat ng Pilipino ay makaramdam ng Christmas spirit, makaramdam ng pasko... At kahit papaano magkaroon ng liwanag sa kabila ng ating mga pinagdaanan” (Through this event, it is hoped that all Filipinos can feel the Christmas spirit… And somehow see the light despite all that we have gone through), President Marcos said in his speech in front of more than 1,000 participants of the event.
The caravan provided ‘pangkabuhayan’ start-up capital to families of children in street situations to enable them to support their children, hence, preventing them from staying in the streets for mendicancy activities.
In addition, it extended holistic, sustainable, and long-term interventions for children, families, and Indigenous Peoples, through the cooperation and collaboration of the national and local governments, civil society organizations, private organizations, and the general public.
The President attended the activity to spearhead the provision of financial assistance worth Php 10,000, hygiene kits, and food packs to some 574 family- beneficiaries who were identified by the different local government units in Metro Manila.
Likewise, some 400 children received gift packs, including toys, clothes, and books.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pinagsama-samang puwersa ng gobyerno, inilalapit natin ang mga programa at serbisyo ng pamahalaan para sa mga bata, pamilya at Indigenous Peoples na nasa lansangan kasunod ng ating hangarin na mailayo sila sa kapahamakan dulot ng pananatili sa lansangan at mabigyan sila ng angkop na tulong na magtataguyod sa kanilang kapakanan” (Through the collaborative efforts of the government, we are bringing government programs and services closer to children, families and Indigenous Peoples in street situations in pursuit of keeping them away from the hazardous situations on the streets and providing them with appropriate assistance that will promote their welfare), DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo Punay said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority provided civil registration and PhilSys National ID Registration to the said sectoral group. This will ensure that the children, families, and Indigenous Peoples access their right to a name and nationality which will enable them to become eligible for government programs and services.
A similar caravan was conducted in Cebu City on December 21 while another one will be held in Davao on December 23.
