The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated its commitment to  help protect the rights and well-being of street children in the wake of the observance of  International Day of Street Children on April 12.  It has been reported that there are at least 250,000 street children in the Philippines.

In an activity held at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City last April 16, street children from Bahay Tuluyan, a non-government organization (NGO) implementing programs and services for the sector presented their four-points call to action to the DSWD.  They called on the DSWD and other government agencies to uphold equality, protect every child, provide street children access to services, and create new solutions for street children and the issues they confront because of poverty.  These give emphasis to the necessity for the public to recognize, respect, and uphold the rights of street children to be treated fairly, be protected, be given access to different government services and, for all sectors of society to come together to find solutions to the issues and concerns encountered by street children.

Princess, one of the delegates to the Street Children’s Congress held in line with the International Day for Street Children, lamented the abuses and the violations against their rights as committed against them by the very people who should  be helping them.

“Katulad po ng mga nagpapatupad ng mga isinasagawang rescue operations —  ang tawag namin sa kanila ‘sagip huli’ kasi pinipilit kaming sumama sa kanila kahit ayaw namin at labag talaga sa kalooban namin  (Take for instance the rescue operations – we call them ‘rescue arrest’ because we are forced to go with them against our will),” she said.

Princess expressed hope that the government reinforces programs and services which will truly protect and empower them.

The International Day for Street Children was launched on April 12, 2011, to call attention to the plight of millions of street children all around the world so their rights will not be ignored. It has been observed annually since then.

The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN  CRC) and has a legal obligation to work towards ensuring that all children’s rights, including street children are integrated into national laws and policies.

The Department, together with local government units and NGOs, implement the Comprehensive Program for Street families and street children, as well as an advocacy campaign dubbed as #HelptheHomelessPh, which aims to spread awareness on the right ways to help those living on the streets. #