Cebu City anti-mendicancy police assistance sought

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board has sought the help of the police to rescue mendicants and street carolers, mostly Badjaos.

The Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board has sought help of the police to rescue mendicants and street carolers, mostly Badjaos.

Due to lack of manpower, Isabelita "Betty" Ganub, the executive director of the city's Anti-Mendicancy Task force, said they need assistance from other agencies to implement the program.

"Nagkinahanglan gyod mi og tabang kay underman ang among office. Di namo kaya kung kami lang," Ganub said.

The anti-mendicancy office has only three staff including the driver.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director, Sr. Supt. Noli Romana, has promised that they will help, assist and take cognizance of the board's request.

The rescued mendicants would be placed temporarily at the City Center and they will be subjected to profiling.

Only qualified street dwellers and those mendicants without houses are allowed to be housed at the center.

The office of the anti-mendicancy will provide Bible class to the mendicants, though accommodation is for free but the food is not.

Ganub explained that their office did not receive a budget for two consecutive years the reason of their limitations. The budget proposal was submitted but it was not approved, she added.

"Gumikan way budget for two years, rescue and referral ra ang among mahimo," Ganub said adding that mostly of the mendicants housed at the City Center are children and old aged men and women.

Carlo Dugaduga, head of the City Public Information Office and representative to the Anti-Mendicancy Board during yesterday's meeting with the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC), said the program is one of their priorities.

"First, badlungon ug ipahunong ning mga street carolers. Sa ikaduhang higayon mao na sila i- rescue," Dugaduga explained.

Dugaduga said part of the "rescue program" is the information education campaign to the city's constituents not to give anything to the mendicants.

"Wa nay mangayo kun way mohatag," Dugaduga stressed.

Cebu City Ordinance No. 1631 prohibits and penalizes the giving to and soliciting by mendicants of cash or any materials goods.  (FREEMAN)