By Erma Edera
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned the parents of minors living in the streets of the nation’s capital that they will be held responsible for neglecting their children.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“To parents of minors who let their children loiter in the streets — sniffling solvent, letting them layout in the roads, Taft Avenue — don't think that I'm not paying attention. One way or another, I will find a way to hold you responsible for not taking care of your young children,” Domagoso said.
He made the statement after he was asked what happened to the so-called "solvent boys" in Rizal Avenue and Taft Avenue.
“One of the main issues that I raised before the MDSWD (Municipal Department of Social Welfare and Development) and to our policemen is to round up all the solvent boys in the streets, Rizal Avenue, in parks and so on and so forth and then bring them to the MDSWD and then to Boy's Town,” he said.
But Domagoso said that he is willing to talk to the parents of these children.
"Alam ko na challenging magpalaki ng anak, totoo yan, lahat naman tayo nakararanas niyan. Pero yung isoga mo nang isoga yung anak mo sa kalye, tapos yung parang balewala na lang lang sa iyo, na bahala na, e tingin ko naman wala namang masama na kung yung mga magulang ng mga batang ito makausap ko ng masinsinan,” he said. (I know it’s challenging to raise children. That’s true. We all have gone through that. But to neglect your children, to let them wander in the streets, without caring, I think it won’t be wrong if I have a serious talk with the parents of these kids)
The mayor said this should break the "vicious cycle" of children living on the streets with their parents stepping up and becoming more responsible.
Domagoso said the local government of Manila will not stop caring for its children.