Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo reiterated her call to the public to refrain from alms-giving that encourages kids to roam the streets and endanger their lives.
“The Department and its attached agencies continue to advocate the ‘Anti-Mendicancy Law’ that penalizes anyone who gives alms to mendicants or street kids. This Christmas season will not be an excuse for its implementation,” warned Taguiwalo.
Presidential Decree 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978 prohibits begging or soliciting of charitable donations by the poor and other religious organizations on the streets.
Taguiwalo stated, “Let us make this Christmas season a safe season for street kids and discourage them from continuing mendicancy where they can seriously injure themselves by jumping from one public utility vehicle to another or by tapping the windows of privately-owned vehicles.”
Instead, Taguiwalo suggested that the public can still show “tamang paraan ng malasakit (right way of compassion)” that do not jeopardize the lives of street children by means of organizing community Christmas parties or caroling sessions for children.
The public can also donate to DSWD centers and other organizations that help street kids or participate in charity drives and other activities for children such as Christmas activities in various activity centers led by DSWD-National Capital Region (NCR).
Aside from refraining from alms-giving and participating in charitable activities for children, Taguiwalo calls for the public to be more proactive in rescuing street kids through the DSWD’s @savestreetkids Twitter campaign.
Taguiwalo also said that hotline number 734-86-13 is also open to receive reports of streetchildren sightings in Metro Manila. —Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
