The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) maintained that the out-of-town activity for some 100 families or 427 individuals in Chateau Royale, Nasugbu, Batangas on January 14-19 was part of the regular activity of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Families (MCCT-HSF), and not meant to hide them from the Pope.
“We do this once or twice a year. For this year, it was a consensus of the national and local governments (LGU) to hold it in time for the Pope’s visit with the end in view of securing them from potential risks of being out on the streets,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano- Soliman explained.
Participation in the activity was, however, voluntary.
Some 78 families or 340 individuals from Manila, three families or seven persons from Pasay, and 19 families or 80 persons from Paranaque attended the camping. They were oriented on the MCCT, which provides a complete package of assistance to street families, including responsive shelter programs, with access to social services, and economic opportunities for the improvement of their living conditions,” Sec. Soliman added.
Integral
Sec. Soliman also explained that participation to the family camp is integral since it is the initial orientation of potential MCCT-HSF beneficiaries to assess their eligibility for the program.
Likewise, the family camp is designed towards the physical and psycho-social development of street children and their families.
Activities during the five-day event include discussions on basic literacy and life skills enhancement for the adults and character building for the children. The adults also discussed topics on responsible parenthood and family relations.
They were also given lessons and training in hygiene.
According to Sec. Soliman, there are currently 218,377 MCCT beneficiaries nationwide, with 2,479 families in the National Capital Region who are under the MCCT-HSF.
These families are given house rental assistance for six months to
one year. They are also given skills training and capital assistance to enable them to start their livelihood projects. Others are assisted by providing them access to employment opportunities.
The MCCT was designed specifically for families not included in the regular Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, those without permanent addresses and living on the streets.
Out of the 100 families, 75 families agreed to return home to their families and relatives. This includes five families who have rented their house to stay through the assistance of MCCT. The remaining 25 families were encouraged to stay in Reception and Action Center in Manila and barangay facilities for close monitoring of the local social welfare offices.
Procurement process
The choice of Chateau Royale as the venue for the family camp went through the proper procurement process using the prescribed procurement guidelines, contrary to the allegation that a travel agency was hired to negotiate with the venue.
The DSWD’s Procurement Service and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) posted the requirements to secure quotations from interested bidders and ensure transparency and competition in the bidding process.
Upon evaluation, Chateau Royale was determined as the Lowest Calculated & Responsive Bidder (LCRB). Hence, the contract was awarded to the resort with the amount of P4,296,600 for 6 days and 5 nights, for 600 persons.
Can’t hide poverty
Sec. Soliman emphasized that we cannot hide poverty saying that the Pope saw this as he landed at the Villamor Airbase where there are a lot of shanties surrounding the area.
She also added, “There are 11,000 street families in the metropolis, how can you hide this number.” ###
