THE thought that hundreds of poor street children in Manila could have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of having a vacation at a resort — complete with comfortable lodging facilities, good food and fun activities— even just for a few days sounds really great. Not in their wildest dreams, perhaps, would they even think this would be possible in their lifetime.
Apparently this could be possible, if there would be an international forum where the Philippines would host many international political and business leaders, or when the Philippines would host the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
As ABS-CBN News reported, several buses full of street children and their families arrived at the Chateau Royale Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas on January 14.
From taxpayers’ money, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) paid for the 500 people from Baclaran, Manila and Paranaque who were booked at the resort for six days.
The price tag for these rooms usually went for more than P6,000 per night, but the DSWD reportedly got them for about P4,000 each. According to Nichie Torres, the resident manager of Chateau Royale, the street children and their families were treated as guests.
There were also around 100 DSWD staff who stayed at the resort to look after street kids and their families, who occupied a total of 70 rooms.
In an ABS-CBN news report, the resident manager admitted their guests wore dirty clothes when they were checked in on January 14. The next day, two big trucks delivered toys, clothes, and toiletries.
The street kids and their families were also kept busy with various activities. They occupied the open field and practically used all the facilities, including the ballroom. Resort staff described their stay as a huge “family camp.”
The guests checked out on January 19, the day Pope Francis left.
ABS-CBN News found out about the so-called “family camp” through a document from the Manila City Hall wherein the DSWD asked for permission to hold the camp. The children were taken from places usually notorious for having beggars, vendors, and watch-your-car children.
Is the Philippine government hiding poverty and child neglect from the eyes of the international community as the spotlight was on the Philippines during these two major events?
After initially denying this ever happened, the Department of Social Welfare and Development defended its action, saying that the Philippine government was just trying to protect the street kids.
ABS-CBN News further reported that DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman admitted in a TIME Magazine report that 100 homeless families comprising 490 parents and children were taken off Roxas Boulevard — which Pope Francis traveled several times — to the plush Chateau Royal Resort.
The report further said the resort stay was organized through the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer program.
Digging deeper and looking at the bigger picture, it is unfortunate how the Philippine government would use such band-aid solution to cover up poverty in the Philippines.
How could the government shell out so much money for a few days to paint a good picture of the Philippines just because the cameras of international media are rolling?
When the foreign guests have left and foreign journalists shift their focus on another country, what then happens to these street kids and poor families?
I hope the Aquino administration will think of a more effective solution to really get these kids off the streets and liberate them from the chains of poverty and illiteracy.
The true picture is what these poor kids experience every day of their life, beyond photo ops and a PR blitz.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
