Philippine authorities locate woman emerged from drainage system amidst ongoing struggle with homelessness in the country.
In Makati, one of the Philippines' top-performing financial districts, a hidden social issue has surfaced – urban homelessness. A woman, identified as "Rose", was recently found living in a storm drain, a startling discovery that has sparked conversations about the city's homeless population.
On orders from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Social Welfare Ministry launched an operation to locate Rose. They found her in a slum district and took her to a facilities center for assessment and intervention.
Photos of Rose crawling out of a narrow storm drain in a busy street corner went viral, with many comparing the images to scenes from a Japanese horror movie. The images, though shocking, also sparked discussions about the subterranean world beneath the gleaming monetary centers, where homeless individuals reside.
Upon presenting Rose to reporters, Social Welfare Minister Rex Gatchalian revealed that the ministry would provide her with 80,000 pesos to start a neighborhood store and help her partner, who has welding skills but currently unemployed, find a job. However, some reacted with skepticism, with one critic suggesting a comprehensive approach is needed instead of a "band-aid solution."
Rose, however, clarified in a press release that she was not living in the drain, but had entered it to retrieve a cutter blade. Makati police, in their investigation, found several items in the drain, including pliers and shirts, suggesting that it serves as an entry and exit point for the homeless.
These developments have shed light on the extensive issue of homelessness in Metro Manila. With over three million people without stable housing, they reside in shanties, makeshift pushcarts, and apparently in storm drains and sewage tunnels. Extreme poverty, domestic violence, human trafficking, and natural disasters are often the root causes of homelessness in the Philippines.
The subterranean living situation poses various challenges, including potential security risks and risks of flooding. As for solutions, it is crucial to combine short-term interventions with long-term strategies, such as providing stable housing, improving mental health services, and fostering community engagement. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as poverty and lack of job opportunities, sustainable change can be achieved.
The Social Welfare Ministry, with a focus on women's health and wellness, aims to help Rose, the homeless woman, by providing her with funds to start a business and offering job opportunities for her partner. However, it's essential to consider a comprehensive approach to address the extensive issue of urban homelessness in Metro Manila, which involves not only providing stable housing but also improving mental health services, fostering community engagement, and tackling root causes such as extreme poverty and lack of job opportunities. Science and health-and-wellness initiatives can play a crucial role in helping homeless individuals like Rose through these long-term strategies.
