DSWD reminder: Don't give alms to street kids, even during Christmas season

As Christmas approaches, people might feel pity towards street children and street dwellers, but the Department of Social Welfare and Development reminds that this is not the help they need.

Giving them money or aid might keep them in the streets, the agency said in a report by Ivan Mayrina on 24 Oras on Thursday.

Street children may be considered as children at risk, specifically of sliding into a life of crime, the agency said.

DSWD was sought for comment after a video of street children aggressively begging passersby for money in Clark, Pampanga went viral.

Rosalie Dagulo Officer-in-Charge and Director of the DSWD Community Programs and Services Bureau said that these children are at risk of committing crimes.

"Pwede natin i-regard ang bata na yun na child at risk. Wala pa man siya doon sa aktong gumagawa ng krimen pero at risk na siya. Papunta siya doon sa direksyon na maaaring later on, kinabukasan nandun siya gumagawa na siya ng krimen," she said

However, the DSWD said they cannot assume sole responsibility over the problem of street dwellers.

It must first be identified if these street children have parents and homes.

"Ang state papasok lang kung ang pamilya ay walang kakayahan para gawin ang kanyang reponsibilidad," Dagulo said.

"Isa rin po sa challenge natin ay yung kakulangan ng tao para i-monitor yung mga nangyayari sa daan at pangunahin din ang pageengage ng ating mga barangay," she added.

If proven that the child has neither parents nor home, or that their parents have no means to take care of them, the children can be brought to government institutions of non-government organizations for temporary shelter. —Jessica Bartolome/JST, GMA News