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“This week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched Oplan Balik Bahay-Sagip Buhay (OBBSB), which aims to provide shelter and jobs or microfinancing for the homeless — focusing first on an estimated 3,500 street-dwelling families in Manila and Quezon City,” reports Kristine Felisse Mangunay in Philippine Daily Inquirer.
In its statement, the DSWD said OBBSC “envisioned to attain zero incidence of children, unattached adults and families on the streets in two highly urbanized cities in Metro Manila by December 2015.”
Ma. Alicia Bonoan, DSWD director for the National Capital Region, said that “aside from extending financial assistance, the program would help homeless families find affordable places they can rent with the help of local authorities.” That means that “the house or room to be rented, for example, has to be validated by the barangay council.”
But there’s more.
All in all, the DSWD is giving the following to beneficiaries:
- money for rent (covering two months in advance and a one-month deposit)
- a starter kit (includes basic necessities such as cooking items)
- food packs
- PHP3,000 preemployment assistance per family
- PHP5,000-PHP10,000 capital assistance per family
- PHP3,000 educational assistance per child
- PHP1,500 health assistance per family
- access to literacy and scholarship programs
- access to sociocultural and spiritual activities
However, Bonoan said that “not all families will necessarily receive the entire menu since the extent of the assistance would depend on their specific needs.” For instance, the DSWD has to check if the recommended OBBSB beneficiary is already covered by the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya or conditional cash transfer program.
