As Yuletide season nears, DSWD reminds public not to give alms to street beggars

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated its appeal to the public to refrain from giving alms to street children and beggars as the Yuletide season approaches.

In a statement Thursday, the DSWD cited Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law that prohibits begging or soliciting of charitable donations by the poor and other religious organizations on the streets.

Instead of giving alms, the DSWD advised the public to provide “responsible types of assistance” such as conducting organized gift-giving and caroling activities, feeding sessions, story-telling, and medical missions at the activity centers in the local government units (LGUs).

Together with LGUs, the DSWD operates and manages community-based child-friendly spaces or activity centers where children in street situation can play, learn, eat, bathe, and socialize as they are monitored and cared for by social workers and volunteers.

The DSWD also has a “reach-out team” that responds to the reported incidents of children or individuals-at-risk on the streets in Metro Manila.

Concerned citizens may report through the Twitter account, @savestreetkids, and indicate the exact location and other pertinent information about the sighting. /jpv