CCTO notes fewer mendicants during Yuletide season

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Traffic Transportation Office (CCTO) reported a decline of mendicants in Cebu City compared to the previous year based on their continuous patrolling of the city streets.

On Nov. 4, 2024, the Anti-Mendicancy Board headed by Dr. Lucelle Mercado had reintroduced the need to step up the enforcement of City Ordinance 1631, which penalizes those caught extending alms or goods to mendicants.

Among the points emphasized by the board was the need for a group to obtain a permit from the City Government that would allow them to hold caroling, as well as the prohibition of caroling along the city streets and public spaces.

CCTO Chief Raquel Arce, however, said despite the end of the Yuletide season, her office will continue to enforce the strict implementation of the ordinance in anticipation that more mendicants are expected to flock the city streets as the Sinulog 2025 celebration approaches.

"Expect sad ta nga adunay mga dayo sa nagkalain-laing lugar, so padayon gihapon nga atong panghingusgan atong anti-mendicancy ordinance," said Arce.

To counter these possibilities, Arce said she is hopeful that the information campaign launched by the anti-mendicancy board will drive mendicants away from the city streets.

Arce, however, noted that the campaign of the Anti-Mendicancy has proven to be an effective measure as this has "scared" off many mendicants.

"Na-feel na nato tungod kay nigamay lang, wa na sila (mendicants) mangawala na, namalhin na sila og lugar," said Arce.

She added that the CCTO received reports that some of the mendicants in Cebu City are now begging along the streets of Talisay City, Mandaue City, and other neighboring areas.

"Pero wala nato ni sila giabog ha, ang ato lang gyud hugot atong pag-enforce sa balaod sa anti-mendicancy law diri sa syudad," Arce clarified.

In her capacity as CCTO head, Arce assessed that there has been a significant drop in the number of mendicants seen in Cebu City in 2024 compared to 2023.

"Dako ang pagkunhod sa presensya sa atong mendicants karon," said Arce.

Arce said the CCTO, having been deputized to enforce the anti-mendicancy ordinance, did not apprehend any carolers who lacked a permit during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“With regards to our carolers (guidelines), wala gyud tay na-apprehend, wala sad tay balita nga nadawat nga naay nanaygon sa kadalanan,” said Arce.

According to Arce, this signified the success of the information drive.

As for the mendicants, Arce said they were only required to compile a report and submit this to the anti-mendicancy board, which will initiate further action.

It was also reported that the Anti-Mendicancy Board is keeping an eye on hotspot areas as it re-emphasize the implementation of the city ordinance against mendicants.

Gladys Gay Vaño, City Anti-Mendicancy Office executive director, earlier said that Cebu City's north area has 23 hotspots, while the south area has eight.

She said that the north district has more hotspots because it has more locations near Cebu City Hall, where mendicants tend to gather, especially in areas, such as barangays Santo Niño, San Roque, Kalubihan, Kamagayan, Kamputhaw, and Banilad.

For the south district, Vaño identified the areas in Mambaling, Pahina Central, San Nicolas Proper, Duljo Fatima, and near the Barangay Pardo skywalk where mendicants frequent.

The board also explained that they are regularly conducting a "nightly reach-out" operation, in which mendicants, particularly children, are rescued and turned over to center-based agencies. Currently, the Cebu City Government is in coordination with the Santa Rita Women and Children’s Center at the South Road Properties (SRP).

The center caters to abused children and women who are victims of sexual abuse and violence. Additionally, the government is collaborating with the Child Welfare Center in Duljo Fatima, which helps neglected boys.

Also, these rescued mendicants will either be provided with livelihood assistance or will be accommodated through the "Balik Probinsya" program, allowing them to return to their respective hometowns.

To clearly identify the distinction of mendicants, Atty. Feliciano Alinson Jr. of the Cebu City Legal Office described them as individuals with no visible or legal means of support who instead rely on begging as a means of survival. (CEBU NEWS)