Parañaque beefs up drive vs begging

MANILA, Philippines - The city government of Paranaque City announced yesterday that it will intensify its campaign against mendicancy, in line with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) effort to stop people from begging in the streets.

In a statement, Mayor Florencio Bernabe said “mendicancy (the practice of begging) endangers the life of mendicants, as well as expose them to abuse, indignities and degradation.” 

The city government said it is starting the campaign through information dissemination in schools, communities and commercial establishments.

Under Presidential Decree 1563, also known as the Mendicancy Law of 1978, “persons found begging shall be apprehended and meted fines and penalties. In like manner, persons giving alms shall likewise be fined,” the city government said.

The city government said “infants, children or minors found begging shall be considered as neglected children and committed to DSWD custody.” Their parents will also be charged with violating PD 603, the child and youth welfare code.

According to the DSWD, there are total of 5,086 street dwellers who are roaming the streets of Metro Manila, with 657 families and 3,072 street children.