DSWD chief urges public: Don’t entertain street children carolers

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net

As the holiday season draws near, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman has urged the public not to entertain street children asking for solicitations or alms in public and private vehicles.

“Ito pong ang aming panawagan, alam ko pong ang hirap hindian ang mga batang kumakatok sa inyong mga kotse, kakanta para bigyan po ninyo, o ‘yung mga umaakyat ng jeep at ng bus,” Soliman said during the “Araw ng Kabataan” event of DSWD on Saturday.

“‘Wag po tayong magbigay sapagkat habang may nagbibigay sa kalye, may mga bata pong pupunta,” she said.

(We appeal to you [not to condone mendicancy], we are aware that it is difficult to say no to children who knock on your car window and sing carols for alms, or those who board jeepneys and buses.)

(Do not give [alms to these children] because as long as there are people who give [them alms], more children will roam the streets.)

Soliman said the department is closely coordinating with barangay (village) and local government officials in coming up with various programs that would make street children feel the Christmas spirit without having to beg for money on the roads.

“Ang amin pong ginagawa ngayon, may-ugnayan kami, dati na po naming ginagawa ngunit patuloy na pinaiigting pa, ang mga barangay na alam naming kritikal, maraming mga bata pa na talagang nandun sa mga crosscroads, amin pong kaugnay ang barangay, ang lokal na pamahalaan, at ang aming dinagdag na mga street facilitators para sa ganon na sila ay anyayahan na pumunta sa barangay,” she said.

(We are now coordinating [with barangay and local government officials], which we have long been doing but are now intensifying; in barangays that we have identified as critical, there are many children who are in crossroads, we are coordinating with barangays and local governments and have added street facilitators so that they may be invited to go to the barangays.)

Soliman said DSWD would release a fund of P100,000 to barangays deemed as “critical areas” before the end of November, which would be used in organizing activities for street children during the Christmas season.

“Doon sa barangay meron po kaming insentibo na binibigay, P100,000 sa bawat barangay na nasa kritikal area para sa mga aktibidades sa mga bata, nine days parang nobena. Ito po ‘yung parol making, belen making, caroling, at at the end of nine days mayroong party sa mismong barangay para may Pasko talaga yung mga bata. At merong regalong ibibigay sa kanila,” Soliman said.

(In the barangays, we give incentives, P100,000 for every barangay in critical areas for activities for the children, nine days, just like a novena. Among these activities are parol making, belen making, caroling, and at the end of the nine days, there will be a party in the barangay so that the children would really feel the Christmas spirit. They will also receive gifts.) CDG

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