Due to “supportive” people, lack of center Street dwellers still in city

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the efforts of the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Task Force, mendicants and street dwellers are still found in the city with the absence of a center to stay and with people continuously giving alms to them.

“Wala mi’y center. Wala’y kabutangan sa among ma-rescue, kay kun naa pa lang g’yud unta, dili sila mag balik-balik (in the street),” said Florence Balungcas, administrative aide of the task force.

Balungcas said that after rescuing the street dwellers, they would refer them either to the barangay or to the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for the Badjaos.

“But balik g’yud gihapon pareha naa mi madakpan Badjao unya among i-refer sa NCIP. Pagkahuman lecture sa NCIP papaulion sa ila kay wala man sila’y center pud gud kabutangan.  Pagkaugma dakpan nasad namo balik,” she said.

City Administrator Dr. Lucelle shared the same concern with Balungcas to put up a center for these homeless dwellers.

“Kay og imong pahawaon unya wala ka’y kabutangan kapabalhinan nila, syempre moliko gyud gihapon ‘na sa eskina unya mohigda na pud didto.  It’s an endless task. Siguro ang ato g’yung solution ana, mag-put up ta og center, kanang covered area nga adto sila didto,” Mercado said.

Mercado said the city government has been planning to establish a place for them, but for now, they are still searching for an area.

“Dili pa man gud dali kay mangita pa man ta’g luna butangan, gahinan budget, but that would be the best nga duna na g’yud ta’y ing-ana nga lugar para anang (mendicants and street dwellers),” she said.

Few years ago, the street dwellers used to occupy Taboan Public Market, but they had to leave the place when it was repaired. The city also tried to accommodate them in container vans but it was also allegedly too hot inside it, said Mercado.

The Anti-Mendicancy Task Force also blamed the people who are giving alms to the mendicants.

“Naa lang gihapo’y manghatag.  Kun naa sila’y ihatag, i-through agency lang g’yud unta nila,” Balungcas urged.

A Cebu City ordinance states that any person giving cash or any kind of material goods to mendicants shall be punished with a fine of  P1,000. —/NSA (FREEMAN)