On street beggars
By joanagirl
@joanagirl (44)
Philippines
May 17, 2011 2:23am CST
Its just the typical scene in our city's main street during rush hours: Beggars asking for money from motorists. They knock on car windows, some bringing small infants along just to encourage pity. I had an encounter with one beggar, able-bodied that he is, and asked to get his name so I can report him to the social welfare. He quickly went away. I know that the government has programs catering to the welfare of the homeless and the people in the streets in general. The problem lies on these people being helped; they refuse to be in the shelter and prefer to roam in the streets with all the dangers of accidents and crime, all for the lure of easy money by begging. I personally do not encourage giving alms, especially if I can see that the one asking for it is able and can do something to keep him out of his present situation. What's your stand on this issue?
6 responses
@missyphoebe (289)
• Philippines
19 May 11
I used to give alms to the beggars but I was told that some of them might be in a syndicate group, they are just a front and the money that you give them would be on the pockets of the syndicate that they are under. After that, I would only opt to give food for them. As musch as I pity them that's all I can do and report it to DSWD (which I think they are not doing their job well. There are a lot of street children on the street and they should do their job and get those kids out of the street and give them a roof and clothing that would make their living better).
But one time when I was in a church I told a little girl that I have no money (I only have some change for my fare) and she pinched me really hard! It's as if it's my responsibility to just give her money! After that incident, I am not that fond of beggars :(
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
20 May 11
the reason is why the syndicate choose these children to beg is because children can't resist your syndicate's command....
why would you choose a strong healthy man to be your slave when they have the chance to fight back unto you? and that's is the reason why they choose kid as a slave....
@joanagirl (44)
• Philippines
20 May 11
Lol, I also experienced that, back when I was still a kid, I almost cried when a kid younger than me pinched my arm. I feel sorry for them, but when I think of the possibility of them being used by syndicates I don't know if they should be pitied or not. I think I just watch too much soap opera.;)
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
18 May 11
I think the same as you. I don't easily give a beggar alms. I assess the person itself. If he is able bodied, why should i give - he can find decent jobs if he wants to. If they are street children, i won't give, because some of them are with the syndicates who have children as beggars to earn them a living.
I would only give to a beggar who is already frail and old. I would also get their names and report them to the social welfare so they could be helped to be housed in those home for the aged where they could be taken cared of.
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
20 May 11
Yesterday:
Give the beggar a Fish Rod instead of a fish...
Today:
The Fish Rod is available to the beggar for Rent at 10$ per 30days
Tomorrow:
Add funds to the PayPal or AlertPay then a networking of fish will the beggars to consume, a passive income for food(fish)
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
20 May 11
the more you give money unto these beggar, the more they cross the street in order to beg for more.....
sacrifice.... never mind their looks.... ignore their hungry....
it is better to do that way when their lives are at risk crossing the busy streets....
we are not obligue to give them money to that beggars since its the government duty to tackle all these poor citizens....
@hot_legs15 (132)
• Philippines
18 May 11
I also do not give alms to street beggars. Although, we commonly see it in our country Philippines, mendicancy is actually a crime as provided under Presidential Decree No. 1563. The penalty for mendicant is a fine of five hundred pesos or imprisonment of two years, but for habitual mendicant the penalty is a fine not exceeding one thousand pesos or imprisonment of not more than four years. With respect to a child eight years old and below who is found begging or being used for begging, he shall be declared as neglected child and shall be committed to the care and custody of the Department of Social and Welfare.
More, any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms to mendicants shall also be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty pesos.
Thus, it's not only wrong to give alms to beggars, it is unlawful.
@spicnick (24)
•
17 May 11
Lol i think these guys are earning more by begging........Definetly we shouldnt encourage this begging the more we encourage the more it grows,people should stop this,i see as a trend that the metro cities are having more beggers than the smaller cities ,the government should take a lead to implement the welfare plans in a better way....
@spicnick (24)
•
17 May 11
I think the main point is these beggers are earning a lot by begging.....i see beggers more in hitech cities than in a smaller cities,this is showing a similar trend that they either earn good amount or they have an common organisation which governs them......These people should be educated about the welfare plans...government itself should start propoganda about these programs.........
@joanagirl (44)
• Philippines
18 May 11
Yes, the government has programs and laws aimed at their welfare but sometimes they lack on the implementation. What we need is strict enforcement. You are right about beggars flocking on metro cities than in smaller ones, simply because there are more people whom they can beg from.
