“Attitude” why mendicancy prevails

CEBU, Philippines — Despite their continuous efforts against mendicancy, the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Office (CCAMO) revealed that the deeply-ingrained attitude towards mendicancy remains the biggest challenge they face in addressing this issue in the city.

In an interview, CCAMO head Dr. Lucille Mercado said they re-intensified their operations against mendicancy after initially allowing some leniency during the Yuletide season and up to the Sinulog celebration. She added that they also continued their Pabalhin Program, which involves picking up street dwellers and transferring them to a shelter at the South Road Properties (SRP).

However, Mercado mentioned that the shelter in SRP only provides a place to stay and does not include meals. These efforts, according to Mercado, are accompanied by a massive information drive to educate street dwellers and mendicants about the mandates of the Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance of Cebu City.

According to Mercado, most of the street dwellers who have benefitted from the free shelter at SRP actually have homes in the city.

“Dunay uban ana nanarbaho dili taga Cebu, naa ra sila sa city, naa na silay trabaho pero wala silay ka rentahan kay wala silay enough money to pay for rent,” said Mercado.

She further explained that many of them have made it a habit to avail of the Pabalhin Program and even referred to them as “regulars”.

Mendicants, on the other hand, are different, according to Mercado. She added that most of the mendicants are children or mentally-challenged individuals. Mercado also mentioned that some have families but choose to remain in the streets.

According to Mercado, it is the “basic attitude” of the mendicants that keeps them on the streets. She added that this issue can only be addressed through further education.

“Pero para nila hayahay man ang anha sila sa dalan, wala silay abang, naa silay suga, libre nila kay pirming naay tawo, it’s their attitude, unya naanad bitaw na maghuwat lang pirmi og ayuda, hatag-hatag lang pirmi,” said Mercado.

Mercado further explained that they are still compelled to rescue mendicants roaming the streets, stressing that they are not supposed to be there. These concerns, she emphasized, remain an ongoing problem for their office.

Some others, she added, justify their choices by citing poverty, while others blame their lack of education.

“It’s a very big social problem,” said Mercado.

In light of these concerns, Mercado said they continue to provide health services to mendicants to alleviate some of their burdens.

According to Mercado, there is an increase in the number of mendicants during the Christmas season, as they take advantage of the influx of crowds. Mercado described this season as a magnet for mendicants, where they can often avail themselves of free livelihood.

“It is a continuous everyday challenge,” she said.

Despite this, Mercado assessed that the anti-mendicancy campaign remains effective in Cebu City, highlighting that without such efforts, the number of mendicants would increase uncontrollably. She said there were times when the public hospital, such as the Cebu City Medical Center, had difficulty providing care for them after their discharge from free health services.

Mercado mentioned that the city can offer assistance through the Department of Social Welfare Services but admitted that they always face challenges in tracking down the mendicants' families. She also pointed out problems with psychotic mendicants, as they can no longer communicate with them rationally.

“Kadaghanan ani kay di man ni taga ato, kining mga psychotic,” said Mercado.

It was previously stated that to clearly identify the distinction of mendicants, Atty. Feliciano Alinson Jr. from the Cebu City Legal Office described them as persons who have no visible or legal means of support and instead use begging as a means of survival.

He added that the law mandates the apprehension of “able-bodied adults” who are caught asking for alms in public areas and city streets. Once apprehended, the Cebu City Government will determine the most suitable intervention for them.

To also determine the appropriate places where the public can help mendicants, Alinson explained that people are not allowed to give alms or goods in public places, particularly in commercial and business establishments, streets, plazas, markets, and schools. (CEBU NEWS)