50 street dwellers rescued in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has rescued at least 50 street dwellers in separate operations over the past few days as part of the city’s efforts to protect them from contracting the coronavirus disease.

These individuals were found sleeping on sidewalks near different markets in the city.

The operations were conducted by the Cebu City Market Operations Division (MOD) headed by Irvin Cabales, along with the Cebu City Anti- Mendicancy Office.

According to Cabales, the rescued persons may have returned to the streets, especially when the city was placed back to the modified general community quarantine, which already means less strict restrictions.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) evaluated the individuals to check where they came from with the ultimate goal of sending them home.

Their homecoming is now being processed as part of the “Balik Probinsya” program.

“Ato gyud na sila nga panghipuson kay dili man sad ta mosugot mga maghuot ang atong kamerkadohan. Tabangan na sila sa siyudad nga makauli na sila kun asa sila gikan (We will round them up. We will not allow that they stay in the markets because they will contribute to crowding. The city government will help them go back where they came from),” Cabales said.

Cabales said that they have warned repeat offenders to be charged for violation of the city’s anti-mendicancy ordinance.

He also promised to intensify the monitoring of street dwellers as part of his office’s mandate.

“Dili mohunong og monitor ang atong buhatan kalabot niini kay basin mamalik napud sila ba sa giistaran nila nga area (We won’t stop monitoring them because they may end up returning to the streets again),” Cabales said.

Back in October 2020, the city government bared plans to profile guardians of street children in the city and to issue citations to them under Ordinance 1631 or Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance if they are found violating the ordinance. — JMD (FREEMAN)