Archival: NGOs should stop street giving amid mendicancy row
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Mayor Nestor Archival urged non-government organizations (NGOs) and private donors to stop directly giving food or money to street dwellers.
The mayor said that such acts would encourage more mendicants to flock to the city amid intensified enforcement of the city’s anti-mendicancy campaign.
Archival made the appeal days after the arrest of 68-year-old harmonica player Ireneo Vidal along Colon Street triggered a public backlash, allegations of abuse, and debate over whether Cebu City’s anti-mendicancy drive punishes poverty instead of addressing it.
The issue escalated further on Thursday after Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. posted bail for Vidal, allowing the elderly man to reunite with his family while city officials separately launched investigations into allegations that personnel from the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Office (CCAMO) physically assaulted him during the arrest.
READ: Cebu City to probe alleged abuse of elderly man by anti-mendicancy team
The controversy now places Cebu City’s anti-mendicancy ordinance under closer scrutiny as officials defend stricter enforcement while critics question whether authorities properly balance law enforcement with social welfare and human rights protections.
Appeal to NGOs
In a press conference earlier this week, Archival said some charitable activities unintentionally attracted more street dwellers to Cebu City.
“Akong gihangyo atong mga constituents especially mga NGOs, usa sa mga naka-encourage ang mga tawo muanhi sa atong syudad, tungod sa mga tawo nga kusog kaayo manghatag,” Archival said.
(I am appealing to our constituents, especially NGOs, because one factor encouraging people to come to our city is that many people here keep giving.)
“Mao na naay certain places nga every Saturday or Sunday naay manghatag og pagkaon and every Saturday, Sunday magkadaghan ang ilang gipakaon,” he added.
(There are places where people distribute food every Saturday or Sunday, and every week the number of people they feed keeps increasing.)
Archival said some individuals eventually decide to stay in Cebu City after learning they could regularly receive aid from private groups or passersby.
“Murag gi-encourage nato ang mga tawo nga muanhi para mahatagan,” he said.
(It is as if we are encouraging people to come here just to receive aid.)
READ: Mendicancy kills
Don’t give to mendicants
The mayor urged residents to refrain from directly giving to mendicants and instead coordinate with the city government or the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS).
“Mao na naa tay anti-mendicancy law nga if possible ayaw ninyo tagae,” Archival said.
(That is why we have an anti-mendicancy law, so if possible, avoid giving directly.)
He also encouraged the public to report mendicants to Cebu City News or city authorities so the government could intervene.
Archival likewise weighed in on the growing debate surrounding street performers and individuals who place containers for donations in public spaces.
“This is debatable. If wala siya nagbutang, so wala siya nangayo in any way but nagbutang man gud siya og butanganan og sinsilyo, you’re asking, please give me,” he said.
(This is debatable. If a person did not place a container, then technically he was not asking for money. But if there is already a coin container, then you are already asking people to give.)
Seek help from gov’t
The mayor added that individuals needing assistance should instead seek help from the city government.
“If gusto man gyud ka magpa-post, madaot ang gobyerno, naay mga ing’ana, go to city government, we will help you,” he said.
(If you really want to publicize your situation and criticize the government, then go to the city government because we will help you.)
READ: ‘Statue man’ held in Colon for begging, not street performance
Arrest drew criticisms
The remarks came after Vidal’s arrest drew criticism from some sectors, particularly after the elderly man claimed he merely played a harmonica to earn food money for his three-year-old grandson.
Authorities charged Vidal for allegedly violating Cebu City Ordinance No. 1631, or the city’s Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance.
Alcover, who chairs the Cebu City Council’s Committee on Senior Citizens, said he personally facilitated Vidal’s release after learning about the elderly man’s situation.
“Akong pyansahan aron makagawas kay naa man kaha apo giatiman,” Alcover said.
(I paid for his bail so he could get out because he is taking care of his grandchild.)
Physically abused?
The councilor later disclosed allegations that CCAMO personnel physically abused Vidal during the operation and vowed to pursue an investigation.
“Karon ra ko nakahibalo nga gidapatan diay ni siya. Akong ipa-identify kinsa, ato ikaso,” he said.
(I only learned now that he was allegedly hurt. We will identify who did it and file charges.)
Alcover stressed that authorities should prioritize assistance, not punishment, during anti-mendicancy operations.
“Sayop ang orientation nga when you talk about hipos, dakop. Okay ra nako anti-mendicancy pero ang mindset, tabangan,” he said.
(The orientation is wrong when people think that clearing operations automatically mean arrests. I support anti-mendicancy efforts, but the mindset should focus on helping.)
Repeatedly violated ordinance
CCAMO Executive Director John Ryan Lumayag, however, defended the apprehension and maintained that Vidal repeatedly violated the ordinance despite multiple interventions from authorities and social workers.
“Violation ni siya sa atong city ordinance anti-mendicancy ordinance,” Lumayag said.
(This is a violation of our city’s anti-mendicancy ordinance.)
Lumayag said authorities had already reprimanded Vidal several times before resorting to imprisonment.
“I think sobra na kalima, kawalo na nabadlong,” he said.
(I think he has already been apprehended more than five times and reprimanded around eight times.)
“First gyud dili gyud last resort nalang gyud na ang imprisonment,” he added.
(Imprisonment is only a last resort.)
No age exemption
Lumayag also argued that Vidal’s age would not exempt him from the law, citing Presidential Decree No. 1563, the national Anti-Mendicancy Law.
“Wala nihisgot 60 above. So dili exemption ang 68 years old,” he said.
(The law does not mention those aged 60 and above. So being 68 years old is not an exemption.)
Section 5 of Cebu City Ordinance No. 1631, however, states that mendicants aged 60 years old and above who suffer from illness or physical or mental infirmities should instead be turned over to DSWS for proper care and institutional placement.
Kept returning to streets
Lumayag said DSWS had repeatedly intervened in Vidal’s case but claimed the elderly man kept returning to the streets.
“More than five times to eight times na giturnover sa DSWS, but gipili gihapon nila nga anha sa kadalanan gihapon,” he said.
(He had already been turned over to DSWS more than five to eight times, but they still chose to return to the streets.)
He also denied allegations that CCAMO personnel assaulted Vidal during the arrest but said the office would investigate the complaint.
“Makita man gyud nato sa physical. Dili ko mutuo sa allegation unless naay concrete evidence,” Lumayag said.
(Based on his physical appearance, I do not believe the allegation unless there is concrete evidence.)
Still, he warned that personnel found violating people’s rights would face sanctions.
“Ato i-observe ila rights basta akong mga tawo mo-violate na gani sa rights atong ipatangtang,” he said.
(We will uphold their rights, and if my personnel violated those rights, I would remove them from service.)
The incident unfolded as Cebu City intensified anti-mendicancy operations in major public areas, including Colon Street, one of the city’s busiest commercial districts.
Earlier, CCAMO clarified in a separate case involving a street performer known as “statue man” that public performances alone do not violate the ordinance unless individuals directly solicit money from passersby.
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