Priest says it’s OK not to give alms; there are other ways to be charitable

Feeling emotionally blackmailed by beggars gnawing at your Christmas spirit on the streets and in public transportation?

Worry not, said an official of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), it’s OK not to give alms and there are other ways to be charitable.

“I think it is safer to give to institutions because you know very well that your donation would be taken care of,” said Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP’s permanent committee on public affairs.

The priest noted that many people from religious or charitable groups often solicit alms on the streets and on jeepneys or buses.

The sight becomes more common during the Christmas season with Filipinos feeling obligated to be charitable although they suspect that their donation will end up with syndicates.

Secillano suggested giving donations directly to reputable institutions instead of people soliciting donations on the streets. “They can visit orphanages or they can donate to churches  and not necessarily to people who are directly soliciting from passengers, from people on the street,” he added.