Catholic Churches in Big PH Cities should Provide Free Gruel (Lugaw) and Toilet Facilities to the Street Dwellers
Posted on Friday, 8 July 2016
Catholic Churches
in Big PH Cities Should Provide
Free Gruel (Lugaw)
and Toilet Facilities to the Street Dwellers
By Apolinario Villalobos
During the ongoing Filipino Catholic
Bishops’ conference, the hierarchy should come up with a uniform compassion-founded
program such as the putting up of free gruel and toilet for the poor. There are
parish churches which are already and somehow, trying to cope with these basic
needs, but they are “wanting” in this purpose. To mention, Quiapo cathedral has
public toilets but they are open when there are services only. There is no
question about their “feeding program” as this project is consistently being
carried on by the religious groups. The neighboring church, Sta. Cruz, charges
5pesos per urinal use, and double for the other call of nature, and I do not
think, they have a feeding program. When I passed by the vicinity of San
Sebastian, I saw a few street dwellers who were sort of queueing outside the
fence of the church’s convent, and I was told by one that they were waiting for
a free gruel, but only for those who bring their own bowl. Mentioned projects,
if there are, vary according to the parish church, perhaps, based on their
financial capability. But, can’t churches call on their rich parishioners to
donate at least a 25-kilo bag of rice every month, or pledge money for the
purchase of ingredients for the gruel, and extra money for the construction of
toilets? And to think that during fiestas, there is a shameful display of
affluence!
As regards the toilets, it is a general
knowledge that this facility is among the most-needed in cities, especially,
for the street dwellers. One time, I saw a woman squatting in a street corner
oblivious of the few passers-by. From the corner of my eye, I later saw that
she nonchalantly went back to the pushcart where there was a child and a dog.
Within the vicinity, there was no restaurant or small carinderia, but even if
there was one, I didn’t think the owner will allow her to use their toilet
which is reserved for paying customers. Several times, I saw children who take
the risk of defecating on the Pasig River bank. In this regard, the burger
joints like Jolibee and Macdonalds allow non-customers to use their toilets,
but they have to be decently dressed, as obvious street dwellers are shooed
away by their guards!
Instead of being very much concerned with
the cussing of Duterte, these Catholic “patriarchs” MUST change their direction
in consonance with that of the current pope. They should focus on the immediate
needs of their flock not to mention the spiritual, instead of the political
issues. They should allow Duterte do his thing in ridding the streets of drug
addicts, while on their part, they should exert an effort in making a follow
through by providing whatever material succor they could provide – food and
decency when answering the call of nature for those who try to survive by
scavenging for recyclable trash and living on pushcarts and sidewalks.
Discussion