As the festive Christmas season approaches, the Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is issuing a crucial reminder to all Dabawenyos: stop giving alms, especially to children. This appeal reinforces the long-standing Presidential Decree No. 1563, the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978, which aims to eradicate begging and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.
Why Giving Alms Harms Children
Karla Quintela, the Focal Person for the Family Welfare program at the CSWDO, emphasized that giving money to child beggars does more harm than good. "It actually puts them more in danger," she stated in an interview with Serbisyo Dabawenyo on November 10, 2025. She urged the public to be vigilant and report any minors seen selling items like candy or vegetables on the streets.
Quintela explained that such activities are prohibited in the city as they can lead to the exploitation of children or put them in hazardous situations. Instead of handing out cash, concerned citizens should immediately report these cases to the CSWDO to ensure the children receive proper assistance and protection.
Rescues and Rehabilitation Efforts
The city's proactive measures are already showing results. In 2025 alone, the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concern (QRTCC) has successfully rescued 61 minors from the streets. These children are not simply removed from danger; they are referred to comprehensive support programs.
These interventions include family development sessions, capability-building workshops, and responsible parenthood training. The goal is to address the root causes of why children end up begging and to prevent them from returning to the streets, offering a path toward a safer and more stable future.
Legal Consequences and Seasonal Challenges
The Anti-Mendicancy Law carries serious penalties. Habitual mendicants can face a fine of up to P1,000 or imprisonment for up to four years. The law also targets adults who exploit children for alms-seeking and even penalizes individuals who donate to beggars.
Quintela also highlighted a unique challenge for Davao City: its reputation for generosity attracts seasonal mendicants from outside the city. She noted that it has become an expected yearly occurrence for visitors to come to Davao, knowing the community is kind-hearted. This makes the CSWDO's call for vigilance even more critical during the holiday period.
As Christmas draws nearer, the CSWDO anticipates a rise in mendicancy and street vending by minors. The office strongly encourages residents to report any sightings of child begging or suspected exploitation. Reports can be made through the CSWDO's official Facebook page, by phone at (082) 225-0417 or (082) 295, or via the QRTCC hotline at (082) 224-0557 and the Kean Gabriel hotline at 0908-818-4444.
