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Ben Contreras

THE regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) seems to be inhabited by able men and women. But even with the better, there seems to be a parallelism with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in dealing with problems. And that is passing the buck.

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From the Emano down to the Moreno administration, that stretch of road beginning from the highway to Bulua terminal has not seen action by cleaning up things that aren’t supposed to be there anymore. Thus, dust, dirt, garbage and construction waste materials, uncollected through the years have become fertile soil for bushes.

Whose responsibility is that? Neither the regional DPWH office nor the city government would accept responsibility.

The same is true with our problem on street kids. Street kids are not just the responsibility of DSWD but also our CSWD/city government. But when asked why they seem not to lift a finger on these kids openly begging in the streets, wiping mirrors for a few pesos but putting their lives at risk or openly sniffing solvent (“rugby”) or whatever, I was told that they are under the jurisdiction of the local government.

Come on. When a problem is right in front of you, something should be done, not necessarily by their selves if they’re afraid of the kids who are capable of violence, physical attack and crime, they could easily call for the police.

Okay, this is a jurisdiction under the local government — meaning, city hall. The city was an awardee for being a “child-friendly city.” Will somebody explain the basis for this award?

Go to Divisoria very early in the morning and there you will find them, street kids and families sleeping on the pavement or in the park itself. Babies, too! Who is in charge?

Is it because solving this problem won’t make anyone any richer? Walay makomisyon diha, bai?

I earnestly hope that DSWD goes another step forward by helping these kids and poor families. You are the bigger office than the CSWD. You have more resources. Take the initiative.

Since Election Day is just two months away, it is worth repeating this story about a deal that never was and witnessed by five characters: a city politician and a businessman, two lawyers and the fifth, God. The businessman was the aggrieved party. He sought the assistance of the politician in power. The two lawyers work for the politician and witnessed the going on.

But the assistance would come with a price that amounted to millions. And you might think that millions would be enough for a man’s greed. Nope. The businessman was asked to pay for something that is his and also in millions.

The businessman, shocked, could only blurt out: “Ako man na nga property.”

Well, this is not just about this politician. It is also about these lawyers. Having witnessed such greed that tantamount to corruption, they should have been so ashamed to face the 5th witness. But no, they continue to work for their master.

The lord in the land must have provided a better life than the Lord in heaven! That’s why!

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