Mandaue to keep kids out of streets

CEBU, Philippines -  The Mandaue City council has approved a proposed ordinance which seeks to control the proliferation of street children in the city.

The newly approved ordinance, authored by Councilor Demetrio Cortes Jr., also seeks to encourage private institutions to implement programs and projects which will cater to the needs of street children.

Under the new ordinance, the giving of alms or any other financial remuneration to children in the streets is strictly prohibited.

However, such prohibition is not limited to “parking assistance fee” usually given by motorists to children in the streets.

And to properly channel the goodwill and support of individual citizens for the uplift of street children,  contributions  or financial support which are otherwise usually directly given to children in the streets should be channeled to private organizations or charitable institutions that implement programs and projects for street children.

For this purpose, selected private/public business establishments in the city are required to put up a sealed can/box within their establishments where voluntary contributions may be placed or dropped by those who desire to support programs and projects responding to the needs of street children.

The proceeds of these donations/contributions shall be used solely to fund programs directly addressing the needs of street children.

A memorandum of agreement shall be executed between the Mandaue City Social Welfare Development Office, the receiving establishment, and the beneficiary institution or organization. 

The CSWD is hereby authorized to formulate the necessary details of the implementing mechanism.

The police is tasked to ensure that no children proliferate the streets of the city and they will immediately call the attention of the personnel of the City Social Welfare office if a police sees children loitering in the city.  (FREEMAN)