EDITORIAL - The worsening problem on street children

At least 60 minors, most of them begging for alms, were taken off the streets around Cebu City in four hours from Thursday night to Friday dawn in one of the biggest rescue operations of street children by the police.

Senior Inspector Arieza Otida of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of the Cebu City Police Office said the rescued children, except for those with ages two to 15, were referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The police officer, however, admitted that there is already a “vicious cycle” in this problem because these children would still return to their business in the streets because their parents cannot afford to raise them.

But since many of these parents do not have the means to provide for the basic needs of their children, the burden falls on the local government. The problem, however, is that the government has limited resources to help and prevent them from going back to the streets.

In Cebu City, the sight of children and even adults loitering in the streets, especially at night, has become ordinary. For years, begging has been their means of making a living with sidewalks, skywalks, and waiting sheds becoming their abode.

But the lack of action from local authorities, especially from the city’s social service department, has allowed their ranks to swell. In fact, the city has become the ultimate destination of many families from other provinces who have resorted to street begging since they lack qualifications to land decent jobs.

What is more scary is the fact that a big portion of these street children have fallen prey to syndicates who use them to solicit money from those they meet on the streets, especially foreign tourists. Many visitors even end up being mugged if they refuse to give.

There is a worsening problem on street children now sweeping through the streets of Cebu City. We have to admit that their growing presence has become an eyesore and a major hindrance to the campaign to make the city a tourist-friendly destination. And it’s unfortunate the local government has been helpless in its effort to put an end to this issue.