La Carlota tightens anti-mendicancy policy, forms task force

BACOLOD CITY — The La Carlota City government in Negros Occidental has strengthened its anti-mendicancy policy by creating a task force and establishing procedures for the assistance, return and reintegration of Indigenous Peoples and other individuals engaged in begging.

Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni issued an executive order in response to reported increases in incidents involving Indigenous Peoples and other groups engaged in mendicancy within the city, including the organized transport of individuals from other areas for the purpose of begging.

The executive order states that it is the city’s policy to uphold social justice, protect public safety and health, and ensure the dignity of all persons while preventing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including children and Indigenous Peoples.

It stressed that bringing or transporting mendicants into the city, or transferring them from one place to another without proper authority, is detrimental to public welfare and may violate existing laws.

The city said it aims to provide humane assistance, proper profiling and safe and orderly return to individuals’ places of origin rather than resorting to indiscriminate expulsion.

Jalandoni ordered authorities to suppress mendicancy in all forms and prohibit the unauthorized transport, recruitment or bringing of people into the city for the purpose of begging.

The order also provides for social investigation, profiling, social services and temporary accommodation for up to three days while arrangements are made for the affected individuals.

It also calls for the orderly and humane return of individuals to their places of origin or home communities through proper interagency coordination.

Authorities were likewise directed to pursue complaints against individuals who exploit, organize or profit from mendicancy, particularly when minors are involved.

The executive order created an Anti-Mendicancy Task Force chaired by Jalandoni, with City Social Welfare and Development Officer Angie Gelongo serving as vice chair.

Members include Lt. Col. Romulus Gadaoni, city police chief; City Health Officer Dr. Rommel Sabig; City Legal Officer Jose Fernando Cuenca; and City Local Government Operations Officer Shalimar Jane Nicor.

Also included are Sangguniang Panlungsod Member January Abad, chair of the committee on women, social welfare and family relations; Mariedith Calseña Mariano, officer-in-charge of the City Prosecutor’s Office; and Dr. Junnie Martin Torrefranca of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

An Indigenous Peoples representative will also be included where feasible.

Under the order, the City Social Welfare and Development Office will register, interview and assess each person found begging.

The city may provide temporary accommodation for up to three days while the task force coordinates with the individual’s home local government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The order specifies that individuals should be taken directly to their home communities rather than dropped off in another municipality or city.

Minors, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals will be referred to appropriate care and protection services.

Their return to their home communities must be carried out with appropriate safeguards and in coordination with the receiving local government.

The order also prohibits bringing people into La Carlota City for the purpose of begging.

The task force was directed to file complaints against individuals who transport, organize or profit from begging, particularly in cases involving children, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1563, or the National Mendicancy Law of 1978.