One Cainta Shelter gives refuge to LGU's homeless

The local government of Cainta, Rizal, has opened a shelter for homeless individuals, providing temporary refuge for those with nowhere to sleep at night.

The initiative, led by Mayor Keith Nieto, operates under the One Cainta Shelter program, which has been assisting displaced individuals — some of whom have been scammed, evicted from rented homes, or found sleeping along sidewalks.

"I think we already served thousands of people because they come and go," Nieto said in an interview over the weekend. "They have different stories to tell."

The mayor explained that the shelter provides basic needs such as food, clothing, and hygiene support. Those who stay are encouraged to seek livelihood opportunities during the day.

"We fed them. We clothed them. We bathed them. We gave them shelter where they can sleep every night, and then in the morning, we send them off after we gave them breakfast to find a livelihood again," he said.

According to the mayor, once individuals are ready to live independently, they are free to leave the shelter and rebuild their lives.

The local government also helps individuals return to their home provinces when requested. Transportation expenses are covered in coordination with social welfare offices, and social workers assist in arranging travel.

"Because if we don't do that, where will they sleep here? Who will help them? So, eventually they become vagrants. So, that's where exactly the shelter will come in," the mayor added.

Nieto said the idea for the shelter came from recognizing the limitations in addressing the needs of people living on the streets — individuals who have not committed any crimes and do not require hospitalization.

"And if they don't succeed at 5 'o clock in the afternoon, they'll still come back to us. We will still accept them. We feed them, bathe them, and let them sleep in a comfortable bed. That's the essence of it," the mayor added.

He also urged other local government units to consider adopting similar shelters.

"If everyone had that, there wouldn't be homeless people on the streets. No one will sleeping on the sidewalks, churches, waiting sheds, and schools," he said.

"We have a vehicle to bring them. We fetch them at night. We go around the town to bring these people to our shelter," the mayor added.