A peculiar kind of governance mistakes visibility for the problem. In Cebu City, that governance is embodied by City Ordinance No. 1631, the Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance. Enacted in 1996, this law has seen renewed and aggressive enforcement in recent years. On the surface, it appears to be a matter of urban management. However, a deeper political analysis reveals something far more concerning.
The Ordinance's Provisions
The ordinance prohibits begging and giving alms on the streets of Cebu City. Offenders, whether beggars or givers, face a fine of P1,000 or four hours of community service. The city has identified 31 mendicancy "hotspots" for strict enforcement, including areas near Cebu City Hall, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, and barangays such as Mambaling, Kamagayan, Kamputhaw, Pahina Central, and Duljo Fatima. Street carolers are also prohibited from roaming or singing in front of private vehicles and public transport.
Misalignment of Problem and Solution
What makes this law striking is not its existence—public welfare is a state priority—but the mismatch between the problem addressed and the solution offered. While the City Government presents the ordinance as a welfare-oriented initiative encouraging organized assistance through agencies and accredited groups, many remain concerned about whether these measures address the everyday realities of those in poverty. The issue is not simply regulation but whether the solutions are sufficient to respond to deeper social and economic problems.
Perception and Management of Poverty
The ordinance has sparked conversations about how poverty is perceived and managed in urban spaces. Reports of fewer mendicants on the streets may suggest improved public order, but they also raise questions about what happens to individuals and families who continue to struggle behind the scenes. Cleaner streets and an orderly city are important goals, but lasting progress should be measured by how effectively people are helped out of hardship through accessible support systems and opportunities.
Beyond Enforcement
Ultimately, the ordinance reminds us that poverty cannot be solved through enforcement alone. Real and lasting solutions require stronger social services, sustainable livelihood opportunities, accessible public assistance, and policies grounded in dignity and inclusion. As citizens and students of society and governance, it is important to advocate for approaches that protect public welfare while ensuring the most vulnerable are not left unheard or unseen.
A city that fines people for giving and punishes people for asking has not solved poverty. It has simply decided that poverty is most tolerable when it cannot be seen. That is not governance. That is abandonment with a press release.
