Valentine’s initiative benefits street people

CEBU, Philippines - As an orphan himself, Ranilo  Guinita knows exactly how it feels like to be longing for affection. 

Nonetheless, the absence of parents’ love never dampened his spirit; he persevered and worked hard until he found a job.

Yesterday, Guinita, a 49-year-old worker from the city’s Task Force for Better Life, paid it forward to some of the city’s homeless people and orphaned children presently sheltered at the Compania Maritima.

He was one of those who worked to treat rescued street dwellers, homeless and abandoned individuals to simple Valentine’s Day presents in the form of sandwich, juice and candies.

“Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers. Most especially, it’s para sa mga bata, sa mga ginikanan. Pagtan-aw nako nila puro mi uhaw sa (pagmahal) sa pamilya kay layo mi (sa ila),” said Guinita, a native of Badian town in southern Cebu.

He coordinated with several offices in the City Hall to fund the little initiative.

When The FREEMAN was interviewing him yesterday, there were about 20 street dwellers around, receiving food and goodies from city workers. It was the second day of distribution, the first one being on February 14.

“Wala ko diri (last February 14) tungod kay nanginabuhi sad ko para naa pud koy puhonan karon. Pero bisag wala ko diri, nahinayon gyud sila (panghatag) sa mga things nga gisaad nila,” he said.

Since the abandoned building was opened as a shelter to rescued street dwellers in January, the city has registered 69 individuals housed inside the facility.

As of last night, however, only 49 individuals remained since some were already transported back to their respective hometowns through the city’s Balik-Probinsya program.

“(Karon nga naa mi puy-anan), usa nalang among  atubangon nga problema, mao ang among panginabuhi kay lisod pangita og puhonan. Sa among paghigda sa una, inig ngitngit maglibog na mi kun asa mi higda,” he said.

Guinita recounted selling bottled water in the streets to earn a living after he was driven away from home due to personal problems.

“Mao na nga mapasalamaton mi ani nga project kay (naibanan) among problema, especially sa mga tawo nga naa lang sa karsada,” he added.

He then encouraged other people living in streets to take shelter at the Compania Maritima building.

Alvin Santillan, head of Task Force for Better Life, said the city wants these dwellers to invite fellow street dwellers to the building.

“Sila’y  mo-encourage kaysila man ang naka-ila sa ilang isigka-ingon. Meaning to say, sila ra pud maka -engganyo ana nila. Kun ako lang pud ug kami sa city ang manghakot nila, ang uban dili manguyog kay magtuo sila nga isog mi,” he explained.

Santillan said the Valentine’s Day project was made possible through coordination with City Hall offices such as the Department of Social Welfare and Services and its provincial and regional counterparts.

“Among reason for making this  project is for transformation… Our  basic goal is to transform them to have a better life. Matarong sila sa ilang kinabuhi,” he said.  (FREEMAN)