The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded as "proactive measure" to address poverty President Marcos' recent directive to boost aid for street children and homeless individuals or families in need of urgent help.
It cited the implementation of the "Pag-abot Program" which aims to evacuate homeless families, particularly children, from the streets for their own safety.
To ensure that they will never go back to the streets, the government's program will also be providing them with a livelihood or source of income, relocation, and adequate shelter.
A 2022 United Nations report revealed that there are more than 246,000 street children in the Philippines. Sadly, these children are exposed to a multitude of risks, including exploitation, abuse, malnutrition, child labor, and a lack of access to healthcare and quality education, the CHR said citing the report.
With the "Pag-abot Program," the CHR said that the government has set in place a more coordinated, long-term approach that would secure a better future for FISS or Families or Individuals in Street Situations.
"We warmly welcome to assist and coordinate with different agencies in implementing this program as we acknowledge the complexity of the challenges faced by families and individuals, especially children in street situations. By leveraging our collective resources and networks, we can ensure a comprehensive and compassionate response to homelessness," the CHR said.
"The Commission is dedicated to upholding the rights of everyone, particularly the children and the marginalized. We remain committed to alleviating the lives of street children and homeless individuals or families as everyone has the right to decent shelter, food, access to quality education, and a dignified life," it assured.