DSWD reaching out to IPs begging on streets amid Christmas holidays

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday urged the public to inform them about the presence of beggars on the streets so that the agency can extend appropriate aid and interventions.

In Mark Salazar’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said they have been reaching out to members of indigenous peoples (IPs) since December 12, mostly Aetas from Central Luzon and Badjaos from Mindanao.

Since then, the DSWD has reached out to 17,000 beggars, 9,000 of whom were reintegrated into their communities.

Those with no place to return are given temporary shelter by the DSWD amid the holidays.

The report noted that in some cases, some IPs are victims of syndicates that force them to beg, in exchange for food and a place to sleep.

Dumlao told GMA Integrated News that the DSWD is working with authorities in investigating this. She also urged the public to inform them about the presence of street dwellers or beggars for a prompt, appropriate response.

“’Wag nating sila bibigyan ng limos, kasi ‘pag binibigyan natin sila ng limos, lalo silang mananatili sa mga lansangan at lalo silang masa-subject sa various risk and hazards,” Dumlao said.

(We should avoid giving them alms, as it encourages them to stay on the streets and increases their exposure to different risks and hazards.)

However, she said the agency understood why well-meaning people give assistance, even in small amounts, especially when faced with the beggars' visible hunger and poverty.

In the case of Aeta cousins “Butay” and “Jakar,” they went to Metro Manila to beg since there was no livelihood for them in Tarlac.

Jakar, 10, said he wanted to go back home since their situation in the big city is not much different from their life in Tarlac.

In Antimonan, Quezon, police apprehended some minors for alleged violation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law.

Some netizens gave their approval, but others disagreed with the police’s actions. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/JMA, GMA Integrated News