By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod City council has amended its nearly 30-year-old mendicancy ordinance to strengthen regulation of street begging, with an emphasis on discouraging dependency and promoting employment and livelihood opportunities rather than merely imposing penalties.
Councilor Israel Salanga, author of the amended ordinance, said the measure is designed to break the cycle of street dependency while addressing public safety concerns raised by residents.
He stressed that the updated policy prioritizes regulation and intervention over punishment.
“This ordinance is not just about penalties. It is discouraging begging, pushing mendicants to seek jobs and permanent livelihood, and protecting residents who have raised concerns over safety risks,” Salanga said.
The move to amend the ordinance was prompted by a viral incident in which a commuter was reportedly harassed by street beggars after refusing to give money, highlighting the need for clearer rules and stronger enforcement.
Salanga clarified that the ordinance does not prohibit residents from giving food to those in need. However, the giving of cash is discouraged, as the city has no way of tracking how the money is used or whether it contributes to long-term dependence.
Higher fines
Under the amended City Ordinance No. 1112, aggressive begging may now be punished with fines of up to P5,000 or imprisonment.
Adult and habitual mendicants may also face fines and jail time to deter repeated street begging.
In addition, the penalty for giving cash to street beggars has been increased from P50 to P500.
Under the amended ordinance, the penalty is P500 for a first offense, P1,000 for a second offense, and a possible one-day jail term, depending on the court’s decision.
Section 4 (e) of the amended ordinance further states that mendicants who threaten, use violence, force, or intimidation may be fined P5,000 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both, subject to the discretion of the court.
Salanga also cited past challenges in managing mendicants, including cases where rescued individuals escaped from government facilities, underscoring the need for a more structured and enforceable system.
Enforcement of the amended ordinance will be handled by the Bacolod City Mendicancy Management Division in coordination with the city government.
In October, Salanga explained that stricter enforcement is needed amid growing public complaints — many of which surfaced on social media — regarding groups of Badjao seen aggressively asking for money and, in some cases, cursing or intimidating passersby who refuse to give.
“We understand that they [Badjao] are not committing serious crimes, but their behavior has become a public concern. We need to balance compassion with discipline,” Salanga said.
He added that the city also plans to establish a temporary shelter or halfway home for mendicants, particularly for Badjao families who cannot yet be sent back to their places of origin.
The councilor said the goal is not only to implement penalties but also to offer social intervention, including coordination with the Department of Social Services and Development for livelihood or relocation programs.
“This is not just about punishment. We want to guide them toward better opportunities while maintaining order in our city,” Salanga emphasized./CJ, WDJ