Gatchalian urges LGUs: address plight of the homeless during lockdown

Senator Win Gatchalian urged local government units (LGUs) to introduce clear, definitive guidelines in addressing the plight of the homeless during the Luzon-wide "enhanced community quarantine" over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

An already vulnerable population where many of whom suffer from health problems, Gatchalian raised that homeless people live in environments where they have little access to facilities for basic hygiene, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and making it difficult to realistically self-isolate from anyone who might be carrying the virus. He says this in itself is already violative of the social distancing policy of the government.

LGUs should have the discretion on how to handle the cases of the homeless as Gatchalian said it is crucial that they seek out those who have no shelter, put them under a decent roof, and help them access health care services. Food and hygiene kits should also be distributed, he added.

"How can they self-quarantine if they have no place to live and stay apart from the others", asked Gatchalian.

"Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang mas nanganganib na magkasakit dahil wala silang mauwian. Kung nais nating pigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19, kailangan nating siguruhing ligtas at may masisilungan ang mga pamilyang walang tahanan," he added.

Gatchalian said people who have literally no resources and no guaranteed place to stay are the ones who need far more help because they're relatively at high risk for coming down with COVID-19.

For Gatchalian, one step to reduce homelessness nationwide is the establishment of a nursing home for abandoned and homeless senior citizen in every LGU. This is the objective of Senate Bill No. 737 or the "Homes for the Abandoned Seniors Act of 2019" that he filed, which takes inspiration from Valenzuela City's own nursing home called Bahay Kalinga.

According to Habitat for Humanity's country profile for the Philippines, there are 4 million families living in unsafe, unsanitary and unsustainable conditions. The housing organization also reported that by 2030, the Philippines could have a backlog of 6.5 million units. Hope, a non-profit organization on children's welfare, estimated back in 2015 that there are 250,000 children on the streets nationwide, 30,000 of whom are in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Gatchalian added that shelters accommodating the homeless should be equipped in observing protocols in handling potential cases of COVID-19, which requires close collaboration with health officials and improved capacity for identifying and reporting symptoms related to the virus.

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Gatchalian: sagipin ang mga walang tahanan para iwas COVID-19 sa gitna ng lockdown

Ngayong nasa ilalim ng isang "enhanced community quarantine" ang buong Luzon dahil sa coronavirus disease o COVID-19, kailangang magkaroon ng malinaw na patakaran ang mga Local Government Units o LGUs sa pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga walang tahanan.

Ito ang isinusulong ni Senador Win Gatchalian na tinukoy ang maaaring maging epekto ng COVID-19 pandemic sa mga walang tahanan. Ayon kay Gatchalian, ang mga walang tahanan ay walang nagagamit na mga pasilidad para sa tamang hygiene, kaya naman mas nanganganib silang mag-positibo sa COVID-19 lalo na't marami sa kanila ang may problema sa kalusugan. Dagdag ni Gatchalian, imposible para sa mga walang tirahan na sundin ang utos ng pamahalaan na magsagawa ng self-isolation at social distancing lalo na't normal sa kanila ang manatiling pisikal na malapit sa isa't isa.

Ayon kay Gatchalian, mahalaga ang papel ng mga LGUs sa paghanap sa mga walang tahanan, pagbigay sa kanila ng maayos na masisilungan, at pagsuri sa kanilang kalusugan. Dadgag pa ng senador, dapat maglaan din para sa kanila ng sapat na pagkain at hygiene kits.

"Paano nila magagawang mag-self-quarantine kung wala naman silang tahanan at madalas dikit dikit sila", tanong ni Gatchalian.

"Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang mas nanganganib na magkasakit dahil wala silang mauwian. Kung nais nating pigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19, kailangan nating siguruhing ligtas at may masisilungan ang mga pamilyang walang tahanan," pahayag ng senador.

Mahalaga rin, ani Gatchalian, na magkaroon ang bawat LGU ng nursing home para sa mga senior citizens na inabandona at walang tahanan. Ito ang layunin ng kanyang panukalang Senate Bill No. 737 o "Homes for the Abandoned Seniors Act of 2019," na humugot ng inspirasyon mula sa Bahay Kalinga, ang sariling nursing home ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela.

Ayon sa Habitat for Humanity, may humigit-kumulang apat (4) na milyong pamilya sa Pilipinas ang walang malinis at maayos na tirahan. Dagdag ng grupo, maaaring magkaroon ng kakulangan ang Pilipinas ng anim at kalahating (6.5) milyong mga housing units sa taong 2030. Ayon naman sa non-profit organization na Hope, may dalawang daan at limampung libong (250,000) street children sa bansa noong 2015, tatlumpung libo (30,0000) rito ang nasa National Capital Region (NCR).

Importante rin na maging handa ang mga centers at mga pasilidad sa pag-responde sa mga maaaring kaso ng COVID-19. Pahayag ng senador, dapat makipag-ugnayan nang maigi ang mga pasilidad na ito sa mga local health officials.

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