CSWD issues advisory against beggars, vagrants

(FILE PHOTO) WITH a baby in tow, this Badjao woman begs for alms on roadsides unmindful of the risks.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD)-Oro Processing and Response Center issued an advisory to the public to report any person and minor asking money in the streets during the Christmas season.
The advisory urged the public to report to its hotline (Daytime: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.) 09107504957 and 09082484401 (Night time: 6 p.m.-6 a.m.) 09309869030 and 09702872060 CSWD ORPC Admin: 0956-637-8550.
The public can also report to the nearest police station.
OPRC head Norhidaya Hadji Sarip said that giving alms in the streets particularly to street children poses dangers to the motorists and pedestrians.
The beggars also contribute to traffic hazards and petty crimes in the streets.
Sarip, however, said that those who want to help may send their donations to social services centers in the city and various parts of the country.
Among the centers are:
•Boystown Center — catering abused/abandoned male minors.
•Home Care for Girls — catering abused and CICL female minors.
•Golden Home Residential Care for Elderly — catering abandoned elderly.
•Bahay Pag-asa — catering CICL male.
•Mother Teresa Oro Care Center for Children — catering street children.
•Oro Pahulayan Shelter — catering stranded and homeless individuals.
Earlier, city government set up 24/7 Oro response and processing center for Badjao vagrants in the streets.
