Reach out to beggars; help them, Palma urges gov’t

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma on Monday reminded the government not to be ashamed of mendicants but to sincerely assist them.

The prelate said it was proper to reach out to people who dwell on the streets and help them, not just round them up.

“The streets are not the best venue for them. It’s not that we are ashamed of them. But there should be some degree of propriety,” he said.

Palma was asked by reporters to comment on the plan of the Cebu City government to round up mendicants starting Aug. 14 as part of the celebration of Anti-Mendicancy Month.

The city government’s plan to clear the streets of beggars and street children comes a week ahead of the   Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu that start on Aug. 22.

“The government may have reasons to do that. I understand that in some places the poor are gathered and are given food and clothing. We should think of the best possible ways to reach out to them,” he said.

“If there are better ways of reaching out to them, then I subscribe to that. (But) let us not be ashamed of mendicants,” he added.

Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board chairperson  Joy Pesquera earlier said they will start the “synchronized rescue” of  around 200 mendicants on Friday.

The street dwellers will be temporarily housed at the San Roque Gym where they will be  assessed and profiled.

Those who qualify for the city’s Balik Probinsya program will be given transport fare to return to their hometowns.   Street children will be escorted home or referred to the Parian Drop-In Center or other  partner non-government organizations (NGOs) with housing facilities.

Pesquera said this was not just for the APEC period but would be a year-round activity.