POLICE rounded up a total of 70 Badjaos in Cogon Public Market, Cagayan de Oro City, as the local government beefs up its campaign against street begging this holiday season.
Some 43 adult Badjaos and 27 minors are now under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) and will be sent home to their respective provinces.
City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said the minors were also accounted for violating the Children Welfare’s Code, prohibiting them to roam around the city during “protected hours”.
Sabuga-a said they have observed an increased number of Badjaos as Christmas is fast-approaching.
“We also have to clarify nga dili bawal mag-serenade kay it is our tradition in the spirit of Christmas, and bawal is naa ka sa kadalanan ug sa sakyanan,” he said.
Sabuga-a reminds the public anew that Anti-Mendicancy Law should be observed, not only during holidays.
Presidential Decree No. 1563 prohibits the public from extending assistance, particularly monetary, to mendicants in an aim to prevent the exploitation of infants and children through mendicancy and promote the rehabilitation of minors found begging in the streets.