DSWD eyes MMDA help on beggars

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it will solicit the help of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to clear Metro Manila streets of young beggars.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Juliano-Soliman revealed the plan as she called on motorists and pedestrians to refrain from giving alms to streetchildren so as to discourage them from begging along major thoroughfares.

Soliman said the DSWD will be putting in place a system that allows generous individuals to instead make their donations at the Paskuhan Center this holiday season.

"We have to keep children off the streets to ensure their safety and to prevent abuse from begging syndicates," she said.

Soliman said streetchildren who will be affected by the clearing operations will be brought to DSWD shelters for children.

She expressed hope the MMDA, which has been successful in clearing streets of vendors, will also be successful in rescuing streetchildren. – Rainier Allan Ronda