Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has issued a sternl warning for parents and legal guardians of those rescued from the streets in violation of the anti-mendicancy law to look out for their kids and families or face charges.
“It is against the law to tolerate begging and alms-giving,” the mayor said, adding “We are intensifying the enforcement of the law to eradicate the culture of mendicancy in the city.”
Lazatin, through Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel already deployed teams on ground beginning May 18 to monitor the anti-mendicancy law’s strict implementation.
Among the members of the team are City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Edna Duaso; Angeles City Traffic Development Office led by Francis Pangilinan; Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary headed by Michael Lising; and the Angeles City Police Office.
As of the evening of May 19, 230 individuals were already rescued and assessed by the CSWDO. Of the 230: 58 were transferred to their families in Angeles City (15 in Malabanias; 4 in Balibago; 1 in San Jose; 2 in Sto. Rosario; 1 in Pulung Maragul; 3 in Pandan; 2 in Pulung Cacutud; 1 in Salapungan; 1 in Virgen Delos Remedios; 1 in Tabun; 3 in Pampang; 3 in Ninoy Aquino; 1 in Amsic; 2 in Cutcut; 1 in Cutud; and 2 in Barangay Lourdes Northwest;) and from other towns and cities (5 in Tarlac; 2 in Pasay; 2 Lubao; 2 Porac; 2 Mexico; and 2 in Mabalacat).
Further, 13 are now under the custody of Bahay Pag-Asa; 7 in Home for the Girls; 24 in Balay Silangan; 9 transferred to Aeta community in Sapangbato; 19 transferred to Aeta community in Porac; 18 mentally-challenged now under the supervision in ACTA; and 15 who are part of the Badjao community in Barangay Pandan now in the custody of CSWDO.
Meanwhile, 52 minors were endorsed to their parents with the supervision of their respective Barangay Council for Protection of Children.
According to Duaso, seven individuals absconded from the processing center and the remaining eight who were rescued are still undergoing assessment and orientation. These individuals once assessed will be reintegrated to their families or will be put under the city’s custody.
The rescue operation and monitoring is still ongoing upon the orders of Mayor Lazatin.
This is not the first time that the Lazatin administration has conducted a rescue operation in the city. It has been a priority program of the city government to rescue homeless families and street kids.
