Iginiit ng isang opisyal ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) na mahalagang turuan ang mahihirap na tumayo sa sarili nilang mga paa at mabuhay nang may dignidad at hindi tamang ibigay sa kanila ang pansamantalang luho sa isang mamahaling resort.

Ayon kay Fr. Jerome R. Secillano, executive secretary ng CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (ECPA), matapos ang ilang araw na pananatili sa isang mamahaling resort ay nagbalik na naman ang mga ito sa kalye.

“These poor families are now back in the streets after their rendezvous in a posh resort hotel. Can’t the government show enough sincerity by giving them permanent dwelling places and livelihood projects? They are not even supposed to be trained to live like they have because in truth what they need to know is simply how to have,” pahayag ni Secillano.

Sinabi ng pari na maaaring maitago ng gobyerno ang mahihirap na ito sa Santo Papa pero hindi naman maitatago ang katotohanan ng kahirapan.

Aniya, batid na ng Santo Papa ang kahirapan sa Pilipinas, lalo na nang magbigay ito ng mensahe sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno hinggil sa korupsyon at inequality sa bansa.

“He saw it in the throngs of people who lined-up the streets to welcome him. And he knew it when he spoke of corruption and inequality in his message to our government leaders in Malacañang,” ayon pa kay Secillano.

Kinuwestiyon pa ng CBCP official kung kailangan bang gawin talaga ang sinasabing camp out sa isang mamahaling resort. 

“[And] if the intention is for these poor families to be trained on how to live like those who are not deprived of basic necessities and of simple pleasures in life, is the government giving them enough opportunities to reach that status? And for how long are they going to train the poor for that purpose?” dagdag pa nito.