Bacolod City Council Imposes Stricter Penalties for Those Who Will Give Alms to Beggars
Recently, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City approved changes to City Ordinance 146, Series of 1995, which focuses on regulating mendicancy in the city through an integrated management program.
Councilor Israel Salanga, the main author and Councilor Celia Flor as co-author made the amendment through City Ordinance No. 1112. The new rules aim to better manage the issue of street begging and to protect both the public and those involved, especially children who are often brought along when begging.
The Department of Social Services and Development stated that offenders will face fine of P500 from the previous P50.
According to the Department of Social Services and Development, the penalty for those caught facilitating begging has significantly increased. The same penalty also applies to people who continue giving money to beggars even after being warned by authorities.
For the first offense, violators will face a fine of P500. A second offense will carry a higher fine of P1,000 and may include one day of imprisonment, depending on the decision of the court. These measures are meant to strengthen enforcement and encourage compliance.
The Anti-Mendicancy Task Force has also been renamed as the Bacolod City Mendicancy Management Division, under the amended ordinance.
The ordinance also includes stricter penalties for aggressive begging. Mendicants who threaten, use force, or intimidate others may face a fine of up to P5,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both, depending on the court’s ruling.
City officials hope that the new rules will discourage people from staying on the streets to beg and instead guide them toward proper assistance and support programs.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the
post
READ ALSO:
DSWD Reminds Public to Avoid Giving Alms to Beggars This Christmas Season