BACOLOD City – The city government through its Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) has appealed to the public anew to refuse giving alms to beggars roaming around the city particularly on the streets.
Instead of giving them alms, the DSSD advised the public to refer them to their office for proper case management.
City Ordinance No. 146, Series of 2005, regulates mendicancy with corresponding penalties for those caught giving alms.
DSSD head Richelle Verdeperado emphasized that the ordinance also mandates that any child below eight years old found begging or exploited for begging will be placed under the care of the DSSD, temporary shelter or an accredited agency.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, January 28, the DSSD’s City Anti-Mendicancy Task Force conducted a routine mapping and profiling operation to address reports of children begging on the streets.
The taskforce rescued several children aged four to 13 years old who were roaming and begging along Ramos Road. They were residents of barangays 2 and 3.
Social welfare officer Anjanette Servano, the taskforce’s focal person, said they documented the children’s names and coordinated with the aforementioned barangays.
A dialogue with the children’s families was also conducted to educate them on parental responsibilities and child abuse laws, specifically those penalizing neglect.
“The taskforce is also conducting community education activities to inform the public that parents and individuals exploiting children for begging have a criminal liability,” the DSSD added./PN
