Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman took the Senate investigation last week, January 27, as chance to exhaustively explain the Family Camp for street dwellers held in Nasugbu, Batangas during the Papal Visit.

During the Senate inquiry chaired by Senator Nancy Binay, Sec. Soliman explained that the family camping is a key activity in the implementation of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF), 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.

It is considered as a social preparation for the street families before their enrollment to the MCCT-HSF.

“Based on experience, the conduct of family camping is an effective means of showing the street families that there is a better life off the streets,” Sec.  Soliman said.

She related that there were participants of previous family camps who shared to her their experiences.

Happy in the camp

Quoting one participant, she said,  “Masaya ako sa family camp kasi nagkaroon ng time ang tatay ko sa akin kasi sama-sama kami (I am happy to have gone to the family camp because my father had more time for me since we were together in the resort).”

The Senate also invited families who participated in the camp.

They attested that they were not forced or coerced to join the camp and that they in fact enjoyed. One even admitted that her family were provided a place to stay in which DSWD rented for six months.

These families however commented on the shortage of supplies such as infant milk and disposable diapers during the camp.

For this, Sec. Soliman apologized and assured that the Department will take these comments as areas to improve on for the next camps that it will hold.

Proper bidding

The Secretary also answered questions of Sen. Binay on alleged anomalies in the procurement of Chateau Royale, saying that government procurement bidding process were properly adhered to.

The owner of Chateau Royale affirmed this and shared that they submitted their bid on January 9, 2015.

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.

Sec.  Soliman said,  “Ang pag reach-out sa mga street dwellers sa pagbisita ng Pope ay bahagi ng pagbibigay proteksiyon sa kanila (The reach- out done on the street dwellers during the Pope’s visit was part of the initiative to keep them safe).”

She reiterated that this is to protect the families from possible discrimination and from being used by syndicates in committing crimes.

Regular activity

The orienting and registering the street dwellers on the MCCT-HSF program was the main objective of the activity.

The conduct of the family camp is not a spur of the moment activity, as these had been previously done six times already for Metro Manila street dwellers .

As a result of the six previous family camps, some 2,479 family- beneficiaries are already enrolled in the MCCT-HSF since 2012.

They are provided with house rental assistance for six months to one year, sustainable livelihood program and/or cash for work, as well as cash grants for the education and health of the children.

Sec. Soliman maintained that the MCCT-HSF program aims to respond to the needs of the homeless, as they are most vulnerable.

The Department endeavors to enhance the program, together with the Local Government Units (LGUs).

“Ultimately, programs for street families will be most effective in partnership with the LGUs.  Isa sa mga epektibong LGU ay Mandaluyong City dahil meron silang comprehensive program for street dwellers  (Mandaluyong is one of the  most reponsive LGUs as it has a comprehensive program for street dwellers),” Sec. Soliman shared. ###