Walking down Colon Street or around Fuente Circle in Cebu City, it is now common to see entire families sleeping on cardboard mats under awnings. According to a report by Dylan Pablo Eluardo for SunStar, the number of people living on the streets has grown noticeably, with many families including young children. Previously only a few familiar faces were seen, but now every flyover and sidewalk seems to have become a makeshift home.
Rising Costs Drive Homelessness
The surge in homelessness is driven by the rising cost of living. Rent, jeepney fares, and basic grocery prices have all increased significantly. For those earning minimum wage or relying on informal work such as selling trinkets or driving a trisikad, a single bad week or medical emergency can lead to financial ruin. Many have been pushed over the edge by these economic pressures and have nowhere else to go.
Need for Compassionate Solutions
The situation presents a complex challenge. While there is a desire for the city to look nice and feel safe, the individuals on the streets are human beings in need of help, not merely an eyesore to be removed. Standard relocation programs often fail because jobs remain concentrated in the urban center. The report calls on local government and community groups to develop more permanent and compassionate solutions, as the number of homeless individuals continues to grow month after month.
