Be aware that giving alms to beggars here in the Philippines has consequences as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officially advised the public to refrain from giving cash or something in kind to them, according to a GMA Network news report. Be also aware that there is an existing national law (a Presidential Decree) related to the giving of alms to beggars.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
While Christmas is a season of giving, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged the public to resist the impulse to give alms, in cash or in kind, to street dwellers, according to a “24 Oras” report by Maki Pulido.
“We discourage them po sa alms giving, sa paglilimos kasi encourage lang natin ating mga kababayan na manatili sa kalsada,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said.
(We discourage alms giving as this would encourage some people to remain in the streets.)
Presidential Decree 1563 under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., penalizes persons caught giving alms with fines and jail time of up to four years.
DSWD said it has programs for street dwellers such as Oplan Abot, which provides temporary shelter, educational plan or enrolment to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
“Hindi po kayo basta hinihila, nilalagay sa sasakyan, ilalagay sa facility. Hindi po. Dayalogo po ang nangyayari hanggang kayo ay kusa sumama sa amin at mabigyan kayo ng interventions,” Lopez said.
(We don’t just pull the street dwellers, place them in a car, and bring them to a facility. We don’t do that. Dialogue is what happens until they willingly come with us, and we provide them with interventions.)
If you take a closer look at President Decree #1563, Section 4 specifically states as follows: Any infants or child 8 years old and below who is found begging or is being utilized by a mendicant for purposes of begging shall be apprehended as a neglected child under Article 141 of PD 603 and shall be committed to the custody and care of the Department of Social Services and Development or to any duly licensed child placement agency or individual.
Any minor over 9 years of age under 15 found begging or is being utilized for purposes of begging and who acted without discernment shall be apprehended as a neglected child under Article 141 of Presidential Decree No. 603 and shall be committed to the custody and care of the Department of Social Services and Development or to any duly licensed placement agency or individual.
Any minor over 9 years of age and under 15 who is found begging or is being utilized for the purpose of begging and who acted with discernment shall be proceeded against in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3, Title VIII of Presidential Decree No. 603.
Any person not otherwise covered in the preceding paragraph of this Section who is found begging and who is physically or mentally incapable of gainful occupation shall be provided the integrated package of services by the Department of Social Services and Development, the Welfare units of local governments and other cooperating agencies.
When it comes to criminal liability, Section 5 states as follows: A mendicant as defined in Paragraph (a) Section 3 hereof, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not exceeding P500.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years or both at the discretion of the court.
A habitual mendicant shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P1,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 4 years or both at the discretion of the court.
Parents of exploited infants or minors under Section 4 of this Decree shall be proceeded against in accordance with Articles 59 and 60 of Presidential Decree No. 603, unless they are themselves mendicants.
Any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms directly to mendicants, exploited infants and minors on public roads, sidewalks, parks and bridges shall be punished by a fine nor exceeding P20.00.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you often feel like giving alms to beggars whenever you see them on the streets or in other public places? How many people in your local community are aware of the existence of Presidential Decree #1563? Does your local government implement an ordinance prohibiting the giving of alms to beggars?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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