City Council moves vs street dwellers, beggars, carolers

CEBU, Philippines — Saying that street dwellers, beggars, carolers, and those who are mentally challenged have “tarnished” the good image of the city, the Mandaue City Council recently passed a resolution seeking to get rid of these people on the streets.

The City Council, though a resolution sponsored by Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, requested the City Legal Office’s enforcement unit and the City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) to round them up.

“To showcase the economic rise of the city and to create a civilized and sound environment, it is but fitting and proper to uproot this illegal activity that tarnish the city’s good image,” the resolution reads.

It added that this group of people proliferated on the streets of the city, specifically on A.S. Fortuna, U.N. Avenue, M.C. Briones, North Reclamation Area, A.C. Cortes, and Highway Seno. They allegedly came from the rural areas and Mindanao.

The City Council has reminded the executive department to implement the existing Anti-Mendicancy Law or Presidential Decree 1563.

“The City Government of Mandaue is committed to strictly implement the Anti-Mendicancy Law and exercise diligence in launching this campaign in order to build up a harmonious, civilized and sound urban environment,” it added.

Lumapas noted in his resolution that most of these beggars are children exploited by their parents or possibly by syndicates running a “mendicant” business.

He said these children begging on the streets should be rescued and turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. According to Lumapas, the DSWD has a special program for these children. (FREEMAN)