• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A recent two-day mapping operation in Bacolod City has revealed a significant increase in individuals living solo on the streets, even as the number of homeless families continues to drop.
Data released by the Bacolod City Mendicancy Management Division (BCMMD) and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) showed that out of 107 profiled individuals, 50 were living alone, marking a notable rise in solitary homelessness compared to previous years.
While the 22 families profiled represent a decreasing trend due to successful local government interventions such as housing referrals, livelihood assistance, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Pag-abot Program, solo dwellers are proving harder to reintegrate.
The profiling, conducted from February 12 to 13, across various city streets, identified several factors driving the rise in solo homelessness which includes mental health concerns, family abandonment, substance abuse, and a lack of permanent support systems.
Some individuals choose to sleep on the pavement simply to avoid the high cost of commuting from distant homes to their places of work.
The City Legal Office and the Bacolod City Police Office assisted in the operation, which is aimed to gather data for more targeted social interventions.
The DSSD noted that many solo dwellers actively refuse to enter shelters or return to their families, indicating a gap in current programs.
Moving forward, the BCMMD plans to prioritize mental health support, specialized case management, and long-term reintegration strategies specifically tailored for those living alone.*
