Abolish anti-mendicancy law in the country?

Compassion is a merit infused in our heart and mind at home, church, and in school when we were young. We simply cannot disregard this virtue, like there is a string attached to our heart that will be pulled as we see a less privileged fellow.

But is it morally right and complacence to give folks money on the streets for food? If it is for food your conscience may dictate, “Yes” but it should be a big NO! Because giving alms on the streets is only risking the beggars’ lives, especially the women with infants and the minors being exploited by indolent parents.

The Christian season of giving, the long spell Christmas is coming where most of us will hide the face of poverty by spending voraciously for lanterns, decors and foods.

Attached to this season in Davao city is the long been practiced of inviting our brothers and sisters from the tribal minorities to come to the city and gather as many gifts as they can from donors in residential areas and offices, utilizing covered courts as temporary shelters.

The purpose may not to promote mendicancy in the city but to share the spirit and merriment. But as time goes by with the new generation, this practice has been abused. You will find children on the streets with mindset of “gravy train”.

When mayor Duterte becomes president, he seeks to abolish anti-mendicancy law, saying “I could not even see the rationale (behind the measure against) mendicants,” “One of the things I really hate is the prohibition of caroling, I tell you,” Duterte said.

The law prohibiting mendicancy was enacted in 1978 in a Presidential Decree 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law signed by former president Ferdinand Marcos. It prohibits any person who supports mendicancy by giving alms directly to mendicants, exploited infants and minors on public roads, sidewalks, parks and bridges.

While the anti-mendicancy law is to be enforced, the authorities must be pro-active.