MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It worked during the visit of Pope Francis to Manila last January, so it must work just as well during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit later this month.

We’re talking about the Aquino administration’s plan to round up Metro Manila’s homeless population and hide them from view of visiting international dignitaries including U.S. President Barack Obama and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

The plan is to provide the street population with paid vacation at first-class resorts outside of Metro Manila, just like what happened during the Pope’s visit. “We want to look our best during the APEC Meeting, ” Aquino said. (The government earlier announced the closure of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as major thoroughfares and reserve them exclusively for use of APEC delegates.  It has also declared school  closures as well as non-working holidays for government and private employees.)

Alternatively, those who could not be accommodated at resorts will be given P4,000  (approximately $100) each to rent a home for the duration of the meeting.

Soon after the announcement of the government plan, law enforcement agencies have noticed an unusual increase of people sleeping in sidewalks and street medians hoping that they will be bused away to the resorts or handed P4,000.

There are reports that many of the people are not even homeless. They just want a paid resort vacation or some shopping money for the coming holidays.

It’s more fun in the Philippines!