Street dwellers rounded up ahead of Sinulog

CEBU City Hall’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) had so far rounded up 166 street dwellers including minors since last month ahead of the annual Sinulog celebration.

DSWS chief Lea Japson said they expect the number to increase since there are still 200 night dwellers that roam the streets.

“There are many people, so they can beg. That is why I am pushing for the arrest of those who will give (money),” she said. Japson said the anti-mendicancy program of the city should be enforced.

Japson said the minors will be housed at the Community Scout Youth Guidance Center and the Parian Drop-in Center.

For street dwellers that are not from Cebu City, Japson said they will be given fares to return to their provinces.