WHO ARE THE REAL HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES?

WHO ARE THE REAL HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES?

The Philippines is home to a staggering number of homeless individuals, but who exactly are they, and how is homelessness defined in our country? Surprisingly, the Philippine government does not seem to have an official or legal definition of homelessness, leaving this critical issue open to interpretation.

Internationally, a homeless person is often defined as someone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Based on that definition, unofficial sources estimate that there are around 4.5 million homeless people in the Philippines. Alarmingly, this figure includes street children, who make up a significant portion of the population without stable shelter.

To put things into perspective, the United States, a much larger country with a population of approximately 346.5 million, has around 653,104 homeless people. That’s a homelessness rate of 0.19% of their total population. Compare that to the Philippines, where roughly 3.85% of our 116.8 million people are homeless. Astonishingly, despite being geographically smaller, we have about nine times more homeless people than the United States.

Even more sobering is the fact that the Philippines surpasses larger countries like India, Indonesia, Brazil, and China in terms of homelessness, despite these nations having greater populations. What’s worse, the number of 4.5 million does not include those living in makeshift shanties or tents—structures that many would argue fail to qualify as “fixed, regular, and adequate residences.”

In countries like the United States, Canada, and in many European nations, people living in shanties or tents are officially categorized as homeless. These countries have also established homeless shelters where individuals can sleep safely for the night, take a shower, and receive a meal. Here in the Philippines, however, there’s little indication that such shelters exist on a meaningful scale. NGOs, which often step in to fill gaps left by the government, appear to be inactive in this area as well.

The question begs to be asked: Why are we not doing more? Establishing temporary shelters is neither a new nor a particularly complex idea. It has been successfully implemented worldwide, so why not here?

This raises further questions:

  • What is the government’s plan to provide temporary housing for the homeless?
  • Does the government understand that temporary housing for the homeless is a separate issue from permanent social housing for low-income families?
  • Which agency should lead this effort? Is it the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)? The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)? Or should the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) handle this for the capital region?

The lack of clarity and action is troubling. One step forward would be for Congress to pass legislation defining what “homeless” means in the Philippine context. This legal definition could then form the basis for concrete policies and programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

Another key recommendation is for the government to aim for a homelessness rate of less than 1% of the population. Achieving this goal would require a multi-pronged approach, including:

1.   Temporary Housing Solutions: Create affordable dormitories, rooms for rent, and apartments specifically designed for homeless individuals and families.

2.   Homeless Shelters: Establish government-run shelters offering basic amenities like beds, showers, and meals.

3.   Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration with NGOs and private enterprises to expand resources and services for the homeless.

4.   Poverty Reduction: Addressing the root causes of homelessness, particularly poverty, can go a long way toward reducing the problem.

Homelessness is more than a numbers game—it’s a humanitarian crisis. Reducing poverty is vital, but so is providing immediate, affordable, and humane solutions for those who have nowhere else to turn to. As a nation, we must ask ourselves: What does it say about us if we continue to ignore this issue?

It’s time for the Philippine government, along with civil society and private institutions, to take decisive action. Let us redefine homelessness, not just in words, but in the concrete steps we take to ensure that every Filipino has a safe place to call home.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

02-15-2025

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