A group advocating for the rights of homeless street dwellers whose aims are: 1) To engage in digital conversation; 2) Create online public forums; 3) Initiate dialogues with LGU's and other government agencies, and 4) Draft policy documents.
Kariton Coalition is a group of individuals from various churches, civil society, and faith-based organizations. We exist to represent Filipino homeless street-dwelling individuals, and advocate for their rights, inclusion, and empowerment.
The COVID-19 pandemic has rendered each one vulnerable. While the rest of us have homes we can seek refuge in, homeless street dwelling individuals only have their karitons. Last December 2020, the Department of Interior and Local Government issued a directive to intensify road clearing operations, which regarded these karitons as obstructions. These karitons were demolished, with their contents destroyed or confiscated. These homeless street dwellers then, were stripped off not only of their only hope of protection against the threat of COVID-19, but also of their shelters, livelihood assets, and entire household and personal belongings.
This is just one example of how this vulnerable group in our society is made even more vulnerable. Instead of caring for them, empowering them, and protecting their rights, these individuals are dehumanized and thrown into further subhuman living conditions. It was in this context that the Kariton Coalition was formed. Individuals from different groups and organizations working with the homeless came together, seeing the urgent need to defend the homeless against acts that violate their individual human rights and dignity, and to lobby for a more comprehensive social protection program for homeless street dwelling individuals – one that reflects a deep understanding of the plight of homeless street dwellers.
In light of this, Kariton Coalition intends to open up a digital space where more people can be engaged in the much needed conversation regarding how the lives of homeless street dwelling individuals can be elevated, and how their individual rights can be protected and defended. The coalition also intends to create online public forums and online dialogues with different government agencies, as well as draft policy documents for the welfare of homeless individuals, which can eventually be submitted as a house bill. Our hope and prayer is that more and more people with the same passion and burden can be part of these initiatives, for the sake of our homeless brothers and sisters.
If you would like to know how to be of help and be part of this cause, please like and follow our Facebook page. In this page, we will be sharing real life stories of homeless street dwelling individuals, advocacy and awareness campaigns, as well as updates on the coalition’s efforts and development of ongoing initiatives.