MMDA to intensify drive to rescue vagrants, beggars off streets

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said it would be intensifying its drive to rescue vagrants and mendicants from the Metro's streets over the Christmas season.

"We appeal to parents to take responsibility and prohibit their children from begging, sleeping and conducting carolings on major thoroughfares,” said MMDA-Street Dweller Care Unit head Amante Salvador.

Salvador said the agency has partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the campaign to rescue vagrants.

The drive is in line with the provisions of Presidential Decree 1563 which is also known as the Mendicancy Law of 1978.

The law calls for the prevention of the commission of mendicancy, prevention of the exploitation of infants and children through mendicancy and provide rehabilitative services for those already exploited or in immediate danger of exploitation; and promotion of the rehabilitation of minors found begging and mendicants by providing an integrated developmental package of preventive, interceptive, remedial, and rehabilitative services.

Under the law, persons found begging shall be apprehended and meted with fines and penalties. In like manner, persons giving alms shall likewise be fined. Infants, children or minors found begging shall be considered as neglected children and committed to DSWD custody. 

Meanwhile, Salvador encouraged parents to allow their children participate in the gift giving activities of their barangays and local DSWD in their localities.

Salvador said they have observed that the number of mendicants and street dwellers multiply in Metro Manila's streets during the Christmas season.

Salvador said at least 148 street dwellers have been rescued by the MMDA in Manila and brought to the Boys Town facility last week.

The MMDA has also started bringing rescued individuals to the DSWD rescue center at the Jose Fabella Hospital in Mandaluyong for proper identification and documentation.