The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) handed out leaflets to Dabawenyos and stickers to public transport vehicles as it intensified its anti-mendicancy campaign.
The distribution took place after a short program, led by CSWDO Officer-in-Charge Julie P. Dayaday and Councilor Wilberto Al-ag, at the City Hall grounds.
In her speech, Dayaday said that the distribution of materials is part of their strategy to intensify the campaign on Presidential Decree 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978, whose main purpose is to prevent the commission of mendicancy; prevent exploitation of infants, children; and promote the rehabilitation of minors by providing integrated development packages for prevention.
“This month, CSWDO celebrates its 31st year from its devolution in 1992, [one of] our ways of celebrating is to intensify this campaign as mendicancy is proliferating in Davao City. This activity will also promote awareness among Davaoeños as ‘Dabawenyo Disiplinado’ is not just about cleanliness but discipline in all areas of human life,” Dayaday said.
The CSWDO team, together with Councilor Al-ag, handed out the materials.
Dayaday told reporters that they will not stop campaigning against mendicancy for the welfare of children who have the tendency to be exploited and put at risk on the streets.
Based on the Anti-Mendicancy Law, a penalty of 1,000 and imprisonment of not more than four years shall be faced by those who habitually beg.
Parents who use their children to ask for alms and those who give alms may also face penalties.
Dayaday added that giving alms is not an effective way to help those who are on the streets. Help may be extended through proper offices such as the CSWDO and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Dayaday encouraged Dabawenyos to report incidents of mendicancy to the CSWDO Quick Response Team for Children’s Concerns (QRTCC) at telephone number 226-4444 or to the Kean Gabriel Hotline 09088184444. CIO
