ADVOCACY MEMO 0002-2023-12-20

TO: DHSUD Secretary Jerry Acuzar CC: NHA/DILG/MMDA/OES RE: Legal Definition of Homelessness Homelessness is a problem all over the world, and it is of no surprise that it is also a problem here in the Philippines. However, I have observed that there appears to be no legal definition here about who a homeless person is or what homelessness is. Some countries have defined a homeless person as someone who lives outdoors or in the streets or who has no permanent place to stay. The latter is relative to the fact that some of these persons may be able to stay in temporary shelters. I believe that here in the Philippines, the above definitions could be applicable, but what is probably more applicable here is to define a homeless person as someone who does not have a “home”. If we accept that as a definition, then the following question would have to be answered. Can a shanty or a makeshift dwelling (barong barong) without water and electricity be considered a “home”? If the answer to that question is no, then obviously the statistics about “homelessness” would go up. But right now, do we even know what is the “homeless rate” in this country? RAMON IKE V. SENERES