Following the directive of Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin, Jr. on the stricter implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law, personnel of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, led by Edna Duaso, on May 18, 2023 conducted an operation to rescue families and children in the streets, Batang Solvent, and members of the indigenous community around Angeles City.
Teams from Angeles City Traffic Development Office (ACTDO), led by Kiko Pangilinan, Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary, headed by Michael Lising, and Angeles City Police Office extended assistance with the social workers of CSWDO in the said rescue operation.
All rescued individuals will be temporarily sheltered at the Main Evacuation Center of the city to process their documents for ‘Balik-Probinsya’ program.
The Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978 states that giving alms to the needy people who take to the streets is not the right way to help them, but instead, it would only lead to the ballooning of the number of families and children in street situations.
According to the said law, giving alms would only make families and children in the streets think that they don’t need to find a decent job anymore to earn a living, as they could easily make money by asking people for it by begging in the streets.