“No permit, no caroling” policy in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has warned the public against giving money or goods to street carolers or end up paying P1,000 penalty and rendering community service for violation of the Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the city government is strictly implementing the City Ordinance 1361, which prohibits street caroling. Garcia said the city’s anti-mendicancy board will be strictly implementing the “no permit, no caroling” policy.

“Walay mangayo og walay manghatag, so mao na’ng akong number 1 nga iingon, that was the campaign sa atong anti-mendicancy labi na karon nga Christmas season,” said Garcia.

The mayor is expecting “seasonal carolers” to flock the streets of the city now that Christmas is coming. Anyone caught violating the ordinance will be fined P1,000 or community service for first offense; P1,500 for second offense; and P2,000 for the third time offenders.

Garcia said that those who desire to conduct a caroling activity for fundraising may have to secure a permit first. A caroling permit can be secured online through the Business Permit Licensing Office (BPLO) and it is for free.

The mayor said the public should be vigilant of the visible indicators between legitimate carolers and those who are not.

“We will just have to make a distinction. And I think it’s very obvious what’s the distinction will be kay usually kaning mga carol, usually, they have informed us ahead of time, through a letter…nya kaning atong mga mendicants di man ni sila mo-inform so I think it is pretty obvious where the line is,” said Garcia.

In a separate interview, Dr. Lucelle Mercado, head of the anti-mendicancy board, said they have beefed up the monitoring against mendicants. Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) personnel have been instructed to also look after carolers inside public utility vehicles.

CCTO head Raquel Arce stressed that caroling in PUVs is prohibited. PUV passengers who will be caught extending alms to carolers will also be issued a citation ticket.

“Pero kung manaygon mos mga balay-balay, then naa say oras nga pwede mo manaygon, di kay manuktok mo dira may ng katug sa subdivision, mao ng rason naay permit, to regulate sa mga manaygonay,” said Arce.

The anti-mendicancy board is composed of different implementing agencies such as the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team; CESET; Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; and Philippine National Police, among others. — (FREEMAN)