Councilor eyes trust funds for street children

CEBU, Philippines - If he had his way, Talisay City Councilor Aldrin Diaz would imposed an admission fee of P5 on every customer of business establishments, with the money collected going to social welfare amelioration trust funds for beggars and street children.

“The city has been plagued with destitute citizens particularly our indigent Talisaynon, street children and senior citizens who roam the streets and sleep on sidewalks and in parks,” Diaz said in his proposed resolution.

Diaz said beggars and street children receive minimal attention from governmental agencies due to shortage of welfare funds.

According to Diaz, the funds for the caring of destitute citizens can be raised painlessly by imposing a fee of P5.00 on every customer or patron of selected establishments as is done in other cities.

Through this amelioration tax, Diaz said the funds will go to the building of an old folk’s home wherein all beggars, senior ditizens, street children, and the like will be guided and cared for.

Diaz has also requested Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes to allocate whatever extra funds are still available for other deserving social welfare institutions in the city.

“If uncared for, the conscious disregard of these citizens blemishes the reputation of the City of Talisay as the seat of Christianity of the country and as a premier tourist stop-over which will pose serious moral and economic reputations if left unattended, contrary to the avowed goals of the New Society aspiring for development through social justice and compassion,” he said.

Diaz believes the government has time and again postulated that national progress centered on man can be achieved through unity and cooperation among the citizenry.