LOZANO Group Final Copy For Printing and Binding

THE BEGGING QUESTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANTI-MENDICANCY
LAW IN BARANGAY SESSION ROAD
A Bachelor’s Thesis Presented to
the Faculty of the College of Arts and Science
University of Cordilleras
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
by
MA. FLORIDA A. DELA CRUZ

JESSE D. GUINANOY
ARNOLD CHRISTIAN M. LOZANO
ANIKA K. MONTEMAYOR
CRENZEL JADE S. TUSNOY
HENRICK D. YSON
April 2021
APPROVAL SHEET
This thesis entitled THE BEGGING QUESTION:

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANTI-MENDICANCY LAW IN BARANGAY
SESSION ROAD prepared and submitted by MA. FLORIDA A. DELA
CRUZ, JESSE D. GUINANOY, ARNOLD CHRISTIAN M. LOZANO, ANIKA
K. MONTEMAYOR, CRENZEL JADE S. TUSNOY, HENRICK D. YSON, in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, has been examined and
is recommended for acceptance and approval for evaluation.
MACARIO T. LUMSIT, MAT

Research Instructor
Panel of Examiners
FERDINAND D. LAWAN, PhD JENNIFER C. AQUINO, MAPS, JD

Member Member
ACCEPTED AND APPROVED in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the degree of BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL
SCIENCE.
FERDINAND D. LAWAN, PhD

OIC-Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
ABSTRACT
1. Title: THE BEGGING QUESTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
ANTI-MENDICANCY LAW IN BARANGAY SESSION
ROAD
Total No of Pages: 137
Text No. of Pages: 79
2. Researchers: MA. FLORIDA A. DELA CRUZ,

JESSE D. GUINANOY, ARNOLD
CHRISTIAN M. LOZANO, ANIKA K.
MONTEMAYOR, CRENZEL JADE S.
TUSNOY, HENRICK D. YSON
3. Type of Document: Bachelor’s Thesis
4. Type of Publication: Unpublished Bachelor’s Thesis
5. Accrediting Institution: University of the Cordilleras

Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City
6. Sponsor: None
7. Keywords: Begging, Anti-Mendicancy,

Mendicants, Knowledge,
Implementation, Barangay
Officials, Businesspeople
8. Abstracts:
8.1 Rationale/Background
The late President Marcos issued Presidential Decree

1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978 which seeks to
address the problem of mendicancy in the country. It
prohibits any person who supports mendicancy by giving alms
directly to mendicants, exploited infants, and minors on
public roads, sidewalks, parks, and bridges. The Anti-
Mendicancy Law penalizes both the beggar and the alms
giver. Thus, this study aims to examine how the policy is
implemented in Barangay Session Road, Baguio City, where
mendicants are frequently seen.
Abstract
4
8.2 Summary
The research aimed to examine the implementation of the

Anti-Mendicancy Law in Barangay Session Road. The study
sought to understand the purpose of the Anti-Mendicancy Law
as a way to alleviate the problem of poverty.
Specifically, it sought answers to the following

questions:
1. What is the extent of knowledge of the barangay

officials and the people from the business establishments
in Session Road Barangay about the provisions of the Anti-
Mendicancy Law?
2. In what way do the private sector and the barangay

officials address mendicancy in Session Road?
8.3 Findings
Based on the research problems, the following are the

findings:
1. The businesspeople are knowledgeable of four

provisions of the law and less knowledgeable of seven
provisions. The barangay officials, on the other hand, are
knowledgeable of ten provisions and less knowledgeable of
only one provision.
2. The role of the businesspeople in addressing

mendicancy in Session Road is to make coordination with the
barangay. On the other hand, the barangay officials address
mendicancy through (a) their coordination with the agencies
in the Anti-Mendicancy task force, (b) putting Anti-
Mendicancy posters along barangay Session Road, and (c)
informing the businesspeople about the Anti-Mendicancy Law.
Therefore, the businesspeople and the barangay officials
address mendicancy in the Session Road area through
coordination and apprehension of beggars, turning them over
to CSWDO for intervention, the latter providing immediate
needs such as food and medical attention. The mendicants are
also being offered livelihood programs from CSWDO and other
partner agencies.
Abstract
5
8.4 Conclusions
Based on the findings, the following are the

conclusions:
1. The businesspeople are Less Knowledgeable of most of

the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law whereas the
barangay officials are Knowledgeable of all of the
provisions except the penalty imposed on people abetting
mendicancy.
2. The businesspeople and the barangay officials

address mendicancy in the Session Road area through their
coordination, apprehension of beggars, and turning them over
to the CSWDO for the needed interventions.
8.5 Recommendations
Based on the findings, the following are recommended:
1. The City Government should still conduct a series of

seminars and workshops for the barangay officials not only
from the place of concern but across the city of Baguio for
them to continuously widen their knowledge and to deepen
their understanding of the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy
Law. Through such, they can have a full grasp of the
rationale of the said law. With a full understanding of the
law, it would be seriously implemented to eradicate the
practice of alms giving in the private sector and the
pedestrians. If such takes place, there will be a higher
chance of a reduction of mendicancy. Also, the barangay
officials are advised to put more effort into the
information dissemination of the Anti-Mendicancy law
especially regarding the penalties or fines imposed on the
violators of the said law.
2. The barangay officials should focus more on

apprehending those who give alms while continuously rescuing
the mendicants to discourage the people from giving alms and
at the same time remove begging opportunities for the
mendicants. Businesspeople should strictly discourage their
customers from giving alms by posting notices or
infographics about the Anti-Mendicancy Law on the entrance
or around their business establishment.
Abstract
6
3. Future researchers can focus on studying the
efficiency of the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force to evaluate
further the effect of active law enforcement on the
participation of the people in the Anti-Mendicancy drive.
The researchers also recommend a study about the

mendicants’ family who received interventions from the CSWDO
and the factors affecting the success or failure of the
interventions to improve the programs offered addressing the
different kinds of mendicants.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, the researchers would like to
praise and thank God, the Almighty, who has granted
countless blessings, knowledge, and opportunity, so that we
finally accomplish the thesis.
Apart from the efforts of the researchers, the success
of this thesis depends largely on the encouragement and
support of many others. We take this opportunity to express
our gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in
the successful completion of this thesis.
We would like to show our greatest appreciation to
Associate Professor Macario T. Lumsit, as our thesis
adviser. Words cannot express our gratitude for his
tremendous support and help. We feel motivated and
encouraged every time we receive his feedback on our
submissions. His words of wisdom have guided us in our
journey in writing this thesis. Without his guidance, this
thesis would not have materialized.
We would also like to acknowledge the research proposal
panel, Dean Ferdinand D. Lawan and Assistant Professor
Jennifer C. Aquino, who has critiqued our prior

proposal. With their critique, we have improved many
Acknowledgement
8
aspects of the thesis and our writing.
We also would like to thank the businesspeople and
Barangay officials of Session Road Barangay, the police
officers from Baguio City Police Office – Station 7 and the
social worker from the City Social Welfare and Development
Office who lent their time for the researchers’ interviews.
Lastly, the researchers would like to thank each of our
families for their undying support and love for all of us.
The strength that we exhibited in writing this thesis was
drawn from all of your words of encouragement.
Lots of love and thank all of you.
God bless us all.
April 2021
The Researchers
MA. FLORIDA A. DELA CRUZ

JESSE D. GUINANOY
ARNOLD CHRISTIAN M. LOZANO
ANIKA K. MONTEMAYOR
CRENZEL JADE S. TUSNOY
HENRICK D. YSON
DEDICATION
This Bachelor’s thesis is wholeheartedly dedicated to
our beloved parents, who have been our source of inspiration
and gave us strength when we thought of giving up, who
continually provide their moral, spiritual, emotional, and
financial support.
To our brothers, sisters, relatives, mentor, friends,
and classmates who shared their words of advice and
encouragement to finish this study. Specifically, we
dedicate this study to the late grandfather of one of the
researchers, Mr. Guinanoy.
To the University of the Cordilleras, Barangay Session
Road, the City of Baguio, and all our medical front liners.
And lastly, we dedicate this thesis to the Almighty
God. Thank you for the guidance, strength, power of the
mind, protection, and skills, and for giving us a healthy
life. All of these, we offer to you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
APPROVAL SHEET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
THESIS ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
DEDICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CHAPTER
1. THE PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Background of the Study . . . . . . . . . . 14
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework . . . . . . 30
Statement of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . 41
2. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Research Design and Methodology . . . . . . 43
Locale and Population of the Study . . . . . 44
Data Gathering Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Data Gathering Procedure . . . . . . . . . . 49
Treatment of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Table of Contents
11
3. PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF

DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Extent of Knowledge of the Businesspeople

and Barangay Officials about the Anti-
Mendicancy Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Ways by which the Businesspeople and the

Barangay Officials Address Mendicancy . . . 67
4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . 90
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
APPENDIX
A Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
B Interview Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
C Observation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
D Profile of Barangay Session Road . . . . . . . . 102
E Communication Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
F Tally and Computation Of Values . . . . . . . . 108
G Transcript of Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
H Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
I Photos of Barangay Session Road . . . . . . . 127
CURRICULUM VITAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

LIST OF TABLES
Table Table Title

Number Page
1 Extent of Knowledge of the Businesspeople,

and Barangay Officials about the Anti-
Mendicancy Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
2 Profile of Mendicants and Summary of

Interventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
3 Ways by which the Businesspeople and the

Barangay Officials Address Mendicancy . . . 80
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Figure Title Page

Number
1 Research Paradigm . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2 The location map of Session Road Barangay,

2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3 Ways by which Mendicancy is Addressed in the

City of Baguio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM
Background of the Study
The problem of begging is a global issue and is not new
to any country. It is mostly seen in developing countries
where poverty is highly visible although it can also be
observed in some urban cities in developed countries.
According to the International Labor Organization, begging
is defined as activities where individuals ask strangers
money for being poor or needs donations for health and
religious reasons. Beggars also engage in the sale of small
items for money that have little to do with the value of the
item for sale. (Delap & Turner, 2009).
The occurrence of mendicancy is caused by several
factors, such as poverty, religion, physical disability,
culture, national disaster, civil war, bad habits (drug,
alcohol, and gambling dependencies), family heritage,
uncontrolled rural to urban migration, and psychiatric
disabilities and disorders, etc. It is a complex problem of
society because it destroys public order and security
(Namwata, Mgabo & Dimoso, 2012).

The Problem
15
The conditions of mendicancy in the world are a complex
problem. It is a big problem because even innocent children
are used for this kind of business. Forced child begging
involves forcing young boys and girls to beg through
violence, threat or other forms of physical or psychological
coercion. This form of abuse and exploitation is
“particularly troubling because the children involved are
clearly visible to everyone on the streets of cities around
the world… children are trafficked into begging in Asia,
Europe, Africa and Latin America” (Delap & Turner, 2009,
p.3).
The growing problems of begging have raised concerns
that it may be linked to organized crime prompting some
countries to consider enacting laws criminalizing begging.
For instance, begging has been widely criminalized in India
which is criticized for violating constitutional principles.
These laws allow law enforcers to arrest beggars and detain
them indefinitely in public institutions without the benefit
of due process (Nyaaya, 2017, para. 1). Begging has also
been a problem in the United States prompting the creation
of begging regulations. Increasing regulations in different
U.S. cities are enacted because of the growing numbers of

The Problem
16
beggars which threaten public safety, tourism and small
businesses. However, oppositions of the said regulations
argue that this is a violation of the First Amendment for
oppressing begging which is considered as a form of freedom
of speech. It is also argued to be a form of oppression
against the poor and homeless (Pufong, 2017, para.1, 3).
The government of Malawi in East Africa has also
addressed the problem by criminalizing beggars because it is
considered a profession by many street dwellers. The busy
streets of Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre, is marred
with beggars. The majority of beggars are persons with
disabilities. Due to poverty and disability, many of them
are forced to beg for their sustenance and their families.
This problem of beggary is addressed by the government by
imposing a fine of approximately $2 or 3- month imprisonment
of street beggars. Furthermore, alms givers are also
penalized which is opposed by religious leaders and
advocates. Instead, a better quality of education and more
employment opportunity is asked from the government to
address this problem. On the other hand, the government
argued it is dangerous to people, especially children, to be
swarming the street begging for alms (Masina, 2016).

The Problem
17
The study conducted by Anti-Slavery International in
Albania, Greece, India and Senegal examines the problem of
forced child begging and presents suggestions on how the
national governments may address the problem. The research
shows that children can be exploited by anyone including
their own parents or guardians. Organized criminal
syndicates are also prominent in India for forced begging
and are connected to drug addiction. Koranic teachers in
West Africa, particularly in Senegal, are coercing young
children to beg on the streets. In all four countries, the
problem of forced child begging is a great violation of
children’s rights. Children are deprived of education and
when their parents want to provide for their education, the
people who are supposed to teach them are the ones who
exploit them. Furthermore, instead of receiving help,
children in Albania and India are beaten by police to chase
them away and stop them from begging on street.
The same report gives recommendations to the
governments to create legislation to protect the children
against forced begging and other forms of abuse. These
children should also be removed from the dangerous
environment and be given rehabilitation. It is also

The Problem
18
suggested to train the police and social workers to rescue
these children humanely and sensitively. Most importantly,
the government should provide “quality, affordable and
accessible” education available to the children (Delap &
Turner, 2009, pp. 1-2).
In the Philippines, the late president Marcos issued
Presidential Decree 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978
which seeks to address the problem of mendicancy in the
country. It prohibits any person who supports mendicancy by
giving alms directly to mendicants, exploited infants and
minors on public roads, sidewalks, parks and bridges
(Abrigo, 2018). The Anti-Mendicancy Law penalizes both the
beggar and the alms giver.
An earlier law, Republic Act No. 5416 or the Social
Welfare Act of 1968, declared that:
The Government to provide a comprehensive program of

social welfare services designed to ameliorate the
living conditions of distressed Filipinos particularly
those who are handicapped by reason of poverty, youth,
physical and mental disability, illness and old age …
including assistance to members of the cultural
minorities to facilitate their integration into the
body politic.
The Social Welfare Act also created the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which has the

The Problem
19
responsibility of implementing social welfare services
programs for Filipinos especially the children and youth.
The department has the right to accredit child placement
institutions and regulate fund-raising activities and
charity events through the different branches and offices
around the Philippines.
Despite these old laws and the economic growth of the
country in the mid-1970s, the problem of poverty and
mendicancy has not been thoroughly solved. After the
declaration of martial law, Marcos declared that his “New
Society” aims to eradicate poverty and the democratization
of wealth through a “constitutional authoritarianism.” The
government bureaus were occupied by technocrats. The
increase in government expenditure especially in public
investment justified higher tax collections and external
borrowing. The administrative and policy changes were
acknowledged by the foreign aid and multilateral community.
Support for the public investment was manifested by the
increase of official development assistance from the OECD
Development Assistance Committee (ODA) members. However, the
Philippines was affected by several economic difficulties.

The Problem
20
First, the Philippines failed to develop self-

sustaining growth that would have eased the burden of
servicing its external debt. Second, the country failed
to shift resources toward the traded goods sector, as
was required both by its increasing debt burden and by
its declining terms of trade. In more concrete terms,
the problems were poor returns from investments,
difficulties in mobilizing domestic resources to fund
investment, and the maintenance of a trade regime that
did not sufficiently encourage exports. In addition,
the Marcos government created a political-economic
environment that discouraged independent investment,
led to capital flight, and eventually crippled much of
the productive economy (Dohner & Intal, Jr., 1989, p.
175).
Furthermore, “crony capitalism” was part of the
Philippine economic development which created monopolies
through direct and indirect control of few businessmen and
the president and his family over different sectors. These
cronies were able to borrow large sums of money from the
government through their strong alliance with Marcos. Over
the martial law regime, regardless of any economic progress,
there was a growing “income inequality and absolute poverty”
as the economic growth of the Philippines was not
experienced by the Filipino masses (Dohner & Intal, 1989).
After Marcos, Article 13, Section 1 of the 1987
Philippine Constitution provides that the State through its
legislative branch to provide “measures that protect and
enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce

The Problem
21
social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove
cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and
political power for the common good.”
In line with this constitutional mandate, the
Philippine government enacted laws to address poverty,
socio-economic inequalities and cultural inequalities. One
of these is Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection
of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination
Act which obliges:
The State to provide special protection to children

from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty exploitation
and discrimination and other conditions, prejudicial
their development; provides sanctions for their
commission and carry out a program for prevention and
deterrence of and crisis intervention in situations of
child abuse, exploitation and discrimination.
This law aims to eradicate child prostitution and
pornography; child trafficking; and other acts of abuse and
negligence which could negatively affect the child’s
development. It also provides guidelines for working
children (below fifteen years old) to ensure that their
employment would not endanger their safety and morals. The
parents and guardian must also ensure that the employment
does not impede the child’s opportunity to education. The

The Problem
22
rights of the children in indigenous communities are also
given emphasis ensuring that they have access to education,
health and social services, and are not vulnerable to any
forms of discrimination. Lastly, the protection of children
in arm conflict areas is one of the responsibilities of the
State in this Act. This includes prioritizing the evacuation
of children from the conflict areas and provide
rehabilitation to them through the Department of Social
Welfare and Development.
Another law is Republic Act No. 9262 or Anti-Violence
against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 which declared
that:
The State values the dignity of women and children and

guarantees full respect for human rights. The State
also recognizes the need to protect the family and its
members particularly women and children, from violence
and threats to their personal safety and security.
This law aims to protect women and children against any
forms of abuse and violence in accordance with the rights
granted by the Constitution, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and other related international conventions the
Philippines is part of. It also provides

The Problem
23
the creation of an Inter-Agency Council on Violence against
Women and Their Children (IAC-VAWC). This council is tasked
to create programs and projects to eradicate violence
against women and their children. The DSWD in partnership
with the local government is also mandated to provide
rehabilitation through counseling, psycho-social services
and temporary shelters for the victims of abuse.
Lastly, Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior
Citizens Act of 2010 mandated “the State to promote a just
and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty
through policies that provide adequate social services,
promote full employment, a rising standard of living and an
improved quality of life.”
This law is a manifestation of the responsibility of
the State to “provide social justice in all phases of
national development” by emphasizing the rights of the
senior citizens and encouraging them to continue
contributing to nation building. A housing program to take
care of poor, neglected, abused and homeless senior citizens
must also be established by the national

The Problem
24
government in accordance with Executive Order 105.
These legislations generally ensure that the vulnerable
sectors (i.e. women, children and senior citizens) are
protected by the threats of force mendicancy as a form of
abuse. In connection to this, the following newspaper
articles are the latest information about the Anti-
Mendicancy Law and the implementation of the government.
On December 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte said he is

against prohibiting caroling on the streets despite
claims that the practice places children at risk. He
said that he wants to repeal the Anti-Mendicancy Law
because it is not good (Philstar, 2016).
On December 2018, the then NCRPO chief Director

Eleazar ordered his men to conduct “rescue” operations
amid reports that beggars, mostly hailing from the
provinces, have proliferated in the streets during the
holiday season. He said that they will not “arrest” the
beggars but they will rescue them. Eleazar advised the
public not to give alms to discourage begging
(Inquirer, 2018).
In 2019, a man was arrested after he went viral

for threatening a motorist when the latter refuses to
give alms. The suspect readily admitted his guilt and
said he just did the crime because of his use of
solvent. He said he just wanted to ask for money from
motorists. The man was then turned over to the Social
Welfare Department (Manila Bulletin, 2019).
On November 2019 the Department of Social Welfare

and Development (DSWD) reiterated its appeal to the
public to refrain from giving alms to children in the
streets. Instead of giving alms, DSWD advises the
public to provide responsible types of assistance such
The Problem
25
as conducting organized gift-giving and caroling

activities, feeding sessions, story-telling, and
medical missions at the activity centers in LGUs to
keep street dwellers and IP groups away from mendicant
activities that may endanger their lives (Philippine
News Agency, 2019).
Last October, amidst the pandemic, Interior and

Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño said that
street beggars should be arrested by authorities since
they could potentially spread coronavirus. The
government official encouraged the police, barangay
authorities and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development to do something about the increasing number
of people begging on the streets amid the coronavirus
pandemic. Filipinos, however, opposed Diño's remarks
after the government failed to apprehend personalities
who violated quarantine protocols (Philippine Star,
2020).
President Rodrigo Duterte showed opposition to the
implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law because children
are not able to freely do Christmas caroling. However, this
perception of the President has not yet affected the
implementation of the law. Concerned agencies are continuing
to address the problem of mendicancy, especially in urban
areas. Law enforcement officers are cautious in their arrest
as they will be scrutinized by the public if they harshly
apprehend the mendicants. Furthermore, the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and LGUs constantly
remind the public to refrain from giving alms to the
mendicants and Christmas carolers. These reminders are

The Problem
26
especially reiterated when the Christmas season and holidays
are approaching. The DSWD is focused on the rehabilitation
of the apprehended mendicants, especially children. However,
the programs by the concerned government agency are limited
to only address mendicancy. Addressing the major root cause
of mendicancy such as poverty, constant migration from rural
to urban areas and unequal economic development has not yet
materialized.
In the city of Baguio, beggars are commonly seen during
the Christmas season and they keep on coming to the city
despite the efforts of the local government to send them
back to where they came from. For years, Badjao families,
who come from Mindanao, have been frequenting Baguio with
their children. Mendicants also travel to the summer capital
from Pampanga province to seek Christmas charity.
Former mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said that the family
members and relatives of the mendicants play a key role in
significantly reducing the proliferation of beggars around
the city by simply convincing them to stop their begging
activities because it is their family’s reputation that will
be tainted once they continue to tolerate such activities of

The Problem
27
their family members. He admitted begging has been a
lucrative source of income among some of the Cordillerans
who found it as the easiest way of earning income for their
families through the years. According to him, some
individuals who were engaged in begging around the city were
able to build houses for their families, established their
own businesses, among others, that is why some of their
colleagues are being lured to beg to improve their lives
(See, 2016).
During the incumbency of Baguio city Mayor Benjamin
Magalong, his executive order created the Anti–Mendicancy
Task Force led by the City Social Welfare and Development
Office with the Office of Councilor Arthur Allad-iw, the
Baguio City Police Office, Baguio General Hospital and
Medical Center, Department of the Interior and Local
Government – Baguio, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,
Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Mental Health
Association Baguio – Benguet, Department of Trade and
Industry, Philippine Information Agency and the different
bus companies operating in the city. The functions of the
task force are aligned with Presidential Decree 1563 or the
Anti – Mendicancy Law that calls for the establishment of an

The Problem
28
integrated system for the control and eradication of
mendicancy, which is mainly to promote social justice,
protection of life, property and dignity of the citizenry as
mendicancy breeds crime, creates traffic hazards, endangers
the health and exposes mendicants to indignities and
degradation (Philippine Information Agency, 2019).
In relation to the aforementioned legislation and other
government efforts to address mendicancy, this study was
therefore done to assess the implementation of the Anti-
Mendicancy Law in the central business district,
particularly Session Road. It also explored how the
authorities and the businesspeople cooperate and coordinate
with one another in the implementation of the law.
The results of this study can be used by the local
government’s Anti-Mendicancy Task Force to adjust their
policies on mendicancy and strengthen the implementation of
the said law. The study explored how the local government
addresses mendicancy especially that, as discussed earlier,
the incumbent Mayor Benjamin Magalong has created an
executive order to solve the problem of mendicancy. The
study identified the strengths and weaknesses of the

The Problem
29
implementation of the law. The results would further help
the business owners ensure the security and safety of their
business since some mendicants become threats when they
become aggressive when they are not given any alms. The
study will be able to improve the implementation of the law
while ensuring that the mendicants still receive humane
treatment.
The study would also contribute to a harmonious
relationship between the mendicants and pedestrians. For the
mendicants, strengthening the implementation of the Anti-
Mendicancy Law would ensure that they will be given the
social services that they need. Better implementation of the
law would give them job opportunities and a better quality
of life. On the other hand, pedestrians will have a peaceful
and safe travel in the central business district and other
public areas. Generous pedestrians and businesspeople will
also be able to properly do safe and legal fund-raising
activities with the help of the local government and the
Anti-Mendicancy Task Force.
For the researchers, this study expanded their
perception on how the local government ensures safety and

The Problem
30
order in the central business district. The study helped
them become more aware of the situation of the city and
mendicants around the central business district. The
researchers were able to understand the actions of the
barangay officials and private business owners in addressing
the problem of mendicancy along Session Road and also
understood the factors affecting the implementation of the
law.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
This study sought to evaluate the implementation of
Presidential Decree No. 1563 or the Mendicancy Law of 1978
specifically the implementation of Sections six and seven of
the said law. Section 6 of the law states:
Information Program. The Department of Public

Information shall conduct a nationwide educational and
information program on the Mendicancy Law and educate
the public to contribute only to lawful fund raising
projects and prevent the community in giving alms
except through organized agencies, subject to such
rules and regulations as the Secretary of the
Department of Public Information may promulgate.
The primary focus of this provision is to raise the
awareness of the public on the implementation of the law.
Section 7 of the law states:

The Problem
31
Local Programs and Facilities. Local governments shall

provide socioeconomic programs and establish operating
units including reception and action centers, sheltered
workshops, constitute homes and other facilities for
mendicants, subject to such rules and regulations as
the Secretary of the Department of Local Government and
Community Development may promulgate.
This provision specified the role of the local
government units in reforming the mendicants.
Extent of Knowledge of the Businesspeople and Barangay
Officials about the Anti-Mendicancy Law. In the Cambridge
dictionary, knowledge is defined as the understanding of or
information about a subject that one gets by experience or
study, either known by one person or by people generally
(Knowledge, n.d.). In some studies that evaluated the
implementation of other laws and policies, the authors did
not use "knowledge” but rather "awareness".
For instance, Frivaldo (2016) used "level of awareness"
in her study to assess the implementation of Republic Act
No. 9344 otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare
Act of 2006 in the Philippines and its effects to minors in
conflict with the law. Her findings state that the
respondents have a High Level of Awareness of the Provisions
of RA 9344. However, she concluded that mere awareness does
not guarantee an effective implementation of any law since

The Problem
32
other factors may also be in play like the process of
implementation and the unity of the implementors and
stakeholders.
Mojares, Macuha, Casala, Morales, and Catapang (2014)
also used the level of awareness to identify if there is a
significant difference in awareness among profile groups
about the implementation of the Anti-Smoking ordinance in
Batangas City. The result of their study showed that there
is no significant difference in the level of awareness and
the level of implementation of the anti-smoking ordinance
when respondents were grouped according to profile variables
except for educational attainment which demonstrates a
significant difference. Mojares et al. and Fivaldo’s studies
seemed to focus more on general questions such as whether
the respondents are familiar with the laws and policies
mentioned rather than specific questions like questions
directly quoting the penalties or provisions of the law.
Some researchers seem to use both “knowledge” and
“awareness” in their studies which blurs the difference
between the two. Paghasian (2017), for example, used the
level of awareness to study the significant relationship
between the awareness and practices on solid waste

The Problem
33
management among the college students at Mindanao State
University – Maigo School of Arts and Trades. And in her
findings and conclusion, the word “knowledgeable” suddenly
appeared. In her findings, she found out that the students
have a high awareness of solid waste management but only a
few are knowledgeable of Republic Act 9003 or the Solid
Waste Management Act. As observed, the author used both
“awareness” and “knowledgeable” but she did not provide any
distinction between the two. Somchai, Adisak, and Paitool
(2015) on the other hand used both “knowledge” and
“awareness” in the title of their research and provided
specific types of questionnaires for each wherein
“knowledge” questions were set as yes/no type questionnaire
whereas “awareness” was set on a Likert type questionnaire.
However, the researchers were not able to provide a
differentiation of the words.
The studies cited above focused more on looking into
the familiarity of their respondents about the given laws
but did not specifically inquire whether the respondents are
fully versed about the provisions of the laws that they were
asked. Most of the questions were asking about the personal
experience and opinions of the respondents. In contrast,

The Problem
34
this study did not ask the respondents if they are familiar
with the law rather, they were asked about the specific
provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law. Hence, the knowledge
that is the particular concern of this theme is the factual
knowledge of the respondents regarding the provisions of PD
1563. This assessed how the government is actively informing
the public to observe the implementation of the law.
Previous studies about mendicancy and laws concerning
begging have been undertaken in the past. Smith (2005) for
example tried to study the propensity of cities to regulate
begging by analyzing 71 U.S. cities. The results indicate
that higher welfare benefits are preferred over begging. The
result also shows a direct relationship between the number
of disabled citizens in a city and the propensity of the
city to regulate begging.
A study by Fitzpatrick, Johnsen, and Watts (2020)
examined the ‘moral repertoires’ drawn upon by homeless
people and other relevant stakeholders in considering the
ethics of enforcement in street homelessness policies. The
study identified six key normative lenses that shaped both
opposition to and support for enforcement measures on street
homelessness: paternalist, utilitarian, rights-based,

The Problem
35
contractualist, mutualist and social justice perspectives.
These key normative lenses were identified via (a) a
conceptual mapping of key philosophical theories with long
pedigrees in the ethical assessment of public policy
decisions, and (b) thematic interrogation of the collected
empirical data. The normative mapping approach highlighted
that all those engaged in debates about enforcement are
deploying moral arguments of some kind, drawing on some (or
multiple) sort(s) of ethical reasoning and that there is a
wide range of ethical tools ‘in play’ and none emerges as
dominant. Fitzpatrick et al. (2020) concluded that many
stakeholders agree that force can be justified when the
activities of a member of the street population are having a
clear negative impact on those around them and that even
homeless people almost unanimously approve of enforcement
when it is used to protect the public.
A study by Seni (2017) explored the causes and effects
of a unique begging style involving children as guides in
Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania. The researcher used a
qualitative approach to obtain in-depth data, regarding the
causes of begging style involving children as guides and the
underlying effects on basic education access. Based on the

The Problem
36
findings, the main causes of begging phenomenon involving
children as guides were poverty, lack of education, sympathy
attraction, lack of proper orientation and laziness.
Parents’ negligence and alcoholism, single parenthood as
well as drought and hunger were considered as minor causes.
Poverty, visual impairment, and lack of food were regarded
as central causes, as they were nominated by almost all
categories of the research participants including the
immediate victims of the phenomenon. The study also stated
that the effects of the unique begging style involving young
carers of visually impaired adult beggars pose adverse
educational problems to these vulnerable children and that
the guidance role consumes a lot of time which could be used
by these children attending school.
Awareness of the respondents may be explained by how
they evaluate the consequences of their actions.
Consequentialist theories are those that base moral judgment
on the outcomes of a decision or an action. If the outcomes
of an action are considered to be positive or to give rise
to benefits, then that action is held to be morally right.
Conversely, if the outcome causes harm, then the action is
held to be morally wrong. The judgment of right or wrong

The Problem
37
depends on the consequences of the decision or action.
People tend to abide by the law if they know that the
consequences of not doing so will cause them harm or
inconvenience (Al-Attili, n.d.).
Ways by which the Businesspeople and the Barangay
Officials Address Mendicancy. In addressing problems in the
community, the government does not have the sole
responsibility of implementing laws and programs. The
government, civil society and the private sector had been
working together in the implementation of laws, policies
and programs.
Cariño (2000) identified the key actors in governance
as the state, civil society and the private sector. In local
governance parlance, the local government as the state is
the principal actor in the local development arena. It is
seen as the authority that wields power and influence over
different sectors of society. As such, it plays an active
role in enabling and facilitating the participation of these
sectors including the local citizenry. Thus, it provides the
legal and regulatory framework within which the
organizations and institutions plan and implement their
programs and activities.

The Problem
38
The civil society and the private sector also exert a
certain influence on the decision-making processes in the
local community. They are seen as partners of the local
government in policy formulation, service delivery, program
implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The local
government is no longer the sole source of policies and
information and resources. Thus, it becomes imperative for
the local authority to share with the civil society groups,
information, resources, technologies and even personnel to
attain development objectives in the community. It does this
through the processes of networking and partnership
(Legaspi, 2005). The participation of the private sector
also assures transparency and accountability in the
performance of the duty of government officials.
The stakeholder’s theory in Corporate Social
Responsibility was applied in this study to determine the
ways by which businesspeople in Session Road address
mendicancy. The normative stakeholder theory in Corporate
Social Responsibility which draws its philosophy from
Ethics, affirms that business corporations are “morally”
responsible to look after the concerns of a larger group of
stakeholders which could include owners, customers, vendors,

The Problem
39
employees and community rather than its stockholders, i.e.
the owners of the business alone (Goel & Ramanathan, 2014).
The Stakeholder theory posits that the essence of business
primarily lies in building relationships and creating value
for all its stakeholders (Freeman & Dmytriyev, 2017). In
other words, business establishments have a social
responsibility to address problems that arises in the
community where they belong to maintain a positive
relationship with its stakeholders.
Paternalism was also used in this study in evaluating
the ways by which barangay officials respond to mendicancy
in the Session Road area. Paternalism is the interference of
a state or an individual with another person, against their
will, and defended or motivated by a claim that the person
interfered with will be better off or protected from harm
(Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2020). For an action
to be paternalistic it should (1) limit a subject’s freedom,
(2) be performed without the subject’s consent, and (3) be
performed with a beneficial intent (Thomas & Buckmaster,
2013). The main idea of paternalism is to prevent someone
from harm at the cost of restricting him to some of his
freedom. Paternalist reasoning is deployed to make a case

The Problem
40
for enforcement if it is believed that it can genuinely
benefit those it targets (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). The
implementation of PD 1563 by the barangay officials and the
Anti-Mendicancy Task Force can be considered as a
paternalistic action since it is prohibiting the mendicants
from begging.
Figure 1 presents the conceptualization of the research
paradigm. The knowledge of the businesspeople and officials
of Session Road Barangay about the provisions of the Anti-
Mendicancy Law and the ways the Private Sector and barangay
officials address mendicancy in Session Road Barangay
consist the input of the study. The process, on the other
hand, includes the modes on how data for the study are to be
collected, questionnaires, interviews and observation guide.
Lastly, the output consists of the identification of
the knowledge of the businesspeople and officials of Session
Road Barangay about the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy
Law and the ways the Private Sector and barangay officials
address mendicancy in Session Road Barangay.
Statement of the Problem

The Problem
41
The research aimed to examine the implementation of the
Anti-Mendicancy Law in Barangay Session Road.
Specifically, it answered the following questions:
1. What is the level of knowledge of the businesspeople
and barangay officials of Session Road
Figure 1
Research Paradigm
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Knowledge of Questionnaire Identification
the of thelevel of
businesspeople Interviews knowledge of
and officials the business
of Session Road people and
Barangay about Observation
officials of
the provisions Guide
Session Road
of the Anti- Barangay about
Mendicancy Law the provisions
of the Anti-
Ways the Mendicancy Law
Private Sector
and barangay Identification
officials of the ways the
address Private Sector
mendicancy in and barangay
Session Road officials
address
mendicancy in
Session Road
Barangay about the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law?

The Problem
42
2. In what way do the private sector and the barangay
officials address mendicancy in Session Road?

Chapter 2
DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
This chapter discusses the research design used in the
study. The locale of the study and the data gathering tools
and procedure as well as treatment of data are also
discussed in this portion of the paper.
Research Design and Methodology
This study employed a descriptive research design to
determine the businesspeople’s (referring to business owners
and their workers) knowledge about the Anti-Mendicancy Law.
It explored how they helped in implementing the law in their
respective establishments and coordinated with the barangay
officials in implementing the Anti-Mendicancy Law. It also
enabled the researchers to conduct an ocular observation of
the pedestrians at Session Road to shed light on the begging
problem in the area.
This study employed a mixed type of research methods
from both qualitative and quantitative research designs. The
quantitative method consisted of a series of well-structured
questionnaires for barangay officials and businesspeople.
The qualitative method consisted of semi-structured
interviews with the businesspeople, City Social Welfare and
Development Office, Baguio City Police Office

Design and Methodology
44
and the barangay officials (barangay captain and barangay
councilors) of Session Road and an observation guide.
Population and Locale of the Study
The locale of the study is Session Road, the location
map of which is presented in Figure 2. Session Road is part
of the Central Business District (CBD) of Baguio City. The
researchers chose Session Road among other parts of the CBD
because it has a lot of business establishments such as
hotels, restaurants, malls, and bus stations that not only
attract tourists and residents but also mendicants. The
other details of the profile of Session Road are found in
Appendix D. Furthermore, the researchers observed that in
the Governor Pack Road area, which is still included in
Session Road Barangay, there were always senior citizens
begging at times forcing students and passers-by to give
alms to them.
The respondents were composed of the barangay
officials, the businesspeople (owners and workers),
pedestrians of Barangay Session Road, the Baguio City Police
Office (BCPO) Station 7, and the City Social Welfare and
Development Office (CSWDO). The total sample size for the
survey questionnaire was 116 respondents (107 businesspeople
and 9 Barangay Councilors).

45
Out of the 107 businesspeople, 9 respondents were
interviewed. The other interviewees were 2 barangay
officials of Barangay Session Road, a police officer from
the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Station 7, and a social
worker from the City Social Welfare and Development Office
(CSWDO).
The respondents from the businesspeople were selected
using purposive sampling with the following criteria: (a)
owns a business or leases a space/ stall in the Session Road
area for not less than 3 years or works in the establishment
for not less than 2 years; (b) closeness to researchers; and
(c) willingness to answer the questionnaires and sit down
for an interview with the researchers. Purposive sampling,
mainly based on the respondent’s expertise, was used in
choosing a police officer from BCPO Station 7 as, being a
police officer, she is involved in the enforcement of the
Anti-Mendicancy Law. The same rationale was used in choosing
a social worker from the CSWDO which chairs the Anti-
Mendicancy Task Force and the main actor for the
implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law.
On the other hand, convenient sampling was used in
choosing (a) the barangay officials (the Barangay Captain
Figure 2
46
The location map of Session Road Barangay, 2020
and Barangay Councilors) who were present when the
researchers visited the Barangay Hall of Session Road, and
(b) the pedestrians in Session Road, who were the subjects
for the ocular observation relevant to begging in the
locale.
Data Gathering Tools
The data gathering tools were checklist-questionnaire,
interview guide, and observation guide. The checklist
questionnaire was used to determine the knowledge of both

47
the businesspeople and barangay officials about the Anti-
Mendicancy Law.
The survey questions were created by the researchers in
line with the subproblems of the study. The survey consists
of questions regarding the Anti Mendicancy Law and the
begging problem in the Session Road Area.
The items in the survey questionnaire for subproblem 1
were lifted from the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law
with which the respondents signify their answers that can
either be “Knowledgeable,” “Less Knowledgeable,” or “Not
Knowledgeable.” In this study, “Knowledgeable” signifies
that the respondents are aware of the provision. “Less
Knowledgeable” signifies that the respondents have little
awareness about the provision. Lastly, “Not Knowledgeable”
signifies the respondents’ lack of awareness about the
provision. The researchers gave all the respondents the
benefit of the doubt. Therefore, the assumption was, the
respondent answered “Knowledgeable” about the provision
because he or she has prior knowledge about it; “Less
Knowledgeable” because he or she may know a little about the
provision but not certain about it; and, “Not Knowledgeable”
because he or she has no knowledge about it. These
assumptions were used in the interpretation of the findings.

48
The items for the survey intended for subproblem 2 only
require the respondents to indicate “yes” or “no” to the
situations that are relevant to the implementation of the
Anti-Mendicancy Law.
For the purposes of this research, a semi-structured
interview guide was intended for the Barangay officials,
businesspeople, and officers from BCPO and CSWDO. This tool
allowed the researchers to ask follow-up questions to
clarify answers that were interesting and needed to be
expounded. These questions focused on the way that Barangay
Session Road and other concerned offices implement the Anti-
Mendicancy Law and other interventions to address the
problem of beggary. The interviews also shed light on the
challenges faced by Barangay Session Road, businesspeople,
BCPO and CSWDO in relation to the implementation of the
Anti-Mendicancy law.
The interview helped the researchers validate the
answers of the respondents in the questionnaire, most
especially to the questions that correspond to subproblem 1.
This also helped in discovering the reasons and motivations
of the respondents in choosing a particular answer on the
questionnaire. The interviews also gave a first-hand account
on the complexity of mendicancy in the

49
locale.
Lastly, the observation guide helped the researchers
record and determine how the pedestrians in a natural
setting (as they were not informed about being observed)
behaved towards mendicants. The observation and interview
guides helped in gathering data that corroborated the
results of the survey questionnaires.
Data Gathering Procedure
The researchers first sent a communication letter dated
January 19, 2021 to request permission from the Barangay
Captain of Barangay Session Road to conduct the study. The
request letter was given to the Barangay Secretary who
endorsed the same to the Barangay Captain. After the letter
was received and approved, the researchers distributed the
survey questionnaires on January 22, 2021 to the Barangay
officials and which were retrieved two weeks after. A total
of 9 questionnaires answered by the Barangay Councilors were
returned to the researchers. The survey questionnaires were
not given to the Barangay Tanods because they were not
present when the questionnaires were floated.
The researchers scheduled an interview on January 28,

50
2021 and were able to interview the Acting Barangay Captain
since the Barangay Captain was not present. Another
interview was conducted with one of the Barangay Councilors
on February 11, 2021.
The researchers floated the survey questionnaires to
the businesspeople along the Session Road Area on January
22, 24, 28, and 29, 2021. Interviews with the businesspeople
were conducted on January 22, 2021, and February 5, 2021.
During the interview with the business owners, the
researchers asked permission to record the interview and
assured that their privacy is handled with utmost care. The
recording of the interview was also explained to be used in
the transcription of the interview. The interviewees were
free to express their views on the topics and questions that
were asked. The interviews with the businesspeople were
short, lasting only for around 3 minutes.
Considering the risks attendant to the nature of the
study and the locale, the observations were only done on
January 29, 2021. The observers were grouped into two and
assigned to different important areas of Session Road. The
researchers were able to observe Malcolm Square (People’s
Park), both sides of Lower Session, and around Our Lady of
Atonement Cathedral near Porta Vaga Mall. The observations

51
lasted around one hour and 30 minutes in these three
locations. The observers also managed to float the
questionnaires. The pedestrians and mendicants were observed
discreetly. It was difficult to do the ocular observation
because of the lack of time. The researchers also had to
ensure that they did not obstruct the sidewalks for the
pedestrians to maintain social distancing. Since the ocular
observation was done only for a day, it may have affected
the accuracy of the results from the observation guide.
However, the observation data for a day gave the researchers
a basis in understanding the data from the other research
tools.
After the data gathering in Barangay Session Road, the
researchers communicated with the CSWDO and BCPO. The
interview guide that was used in the interviews with the
barangay officials and businesspeople was revised in
consideration of the expertise of the respondents from each
office. The communication letter and interview guide for the
CSWDO was first given on February 11, 2021 at the Silungan
Center, Session Road. The researchers were then referred to
a social worker in another social welfare office located in
East Bayan Park, Aurora Hill. The researchers went to the
said office on February 15, 2021 and were able to interview
the social worker. The interview lasted for around 30

52
minutes as the social worker was able to give a lot of
information about the Anti-Mendicancy Law and Task Force.
The communication letter and interview guide for the
BCPO Station 7 was also sent on February 11, 2021. The
interview was then scheduled the next day, February 12,
2021, as they needed to make an official statement for the
interview. The interview lasted for around 15 minutes within
which the police officer mainly discussed the role of the
BCPO in implementing the Anti-Mendicancy Law.
The data gathering ended on February 15, 2021 when the
last respondent, the social worker, was interviewed. While
the respondents from both offices were being interviewed,
the transcription for the previous interviews was
accomplished. The complete transcription of all the
interviews was finished on February 17, 2021.
Treatment of Data
The data were treated using the triangulation method.
Triangulation is defined as combining of data or methods to
help validate the data gathered (Creswell, 2009).
Particularly, the researchers used the concurrent
triangulation strategy. Both the qualitative and
quantitative data collected at the same time were compared
to determine the differences and similarities between the

53
two. The data were merged and compared side by side during
the discussion and the interpretation of data.
The statistical treatment used for the survey data that
were collected for subproblem 1 was weighted mean while
percentage was used for the survey data that were gathered
for subproblem 2. Weighted mean was used to determine the
knowledge of the businesspeople and barangay officials at
Barangay Session Road about the provisions of the Anti-
Mendicancy Law. The formula is as follows:
Σfx
x̄=
Σf
Where: x́ - weighted mean
f - frequency of each options
x - weight-of each option
Σfx – sum of the product of f and x
Σf – total number of respondents
The three-point Likert scale rating below was used to
interpret the weighted mean.
Point Value Range Description

3 2.33 – 3.00 Knowledgeable
2 1.67 – 2.32 Least Knowledgeable
1 1.00 – 1.66 Not knowledgeable
54
The researchers also compared the knowledge of the
businesspeople and the barangay officials of Session Road
Barangay about the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law.
For subproblem 2, percentage was used to determine the
ways by which the businesspeople and the barangay officials
address mendicancy in Barangay Session Road. The formula is
as follows:
P= ( nf ) 100
Where: P – percentage
f – frequency of the options
n – total number of respondents
100 – constant number
Thematic analysis was also used to determine the
designs of themes in the interview and observation data that
validated and supplemented the survey data. According to
Mortensen (2020), it is a repetitive process to organize and
select the most important themes from the gathered data.
Preliminary codes were assigned in order to organize the
content of the data. These codes were used to establish
patterns and sub-themes in connection to the research
problems.
Chapter 3
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This chapter presents, analyzes, and interprets the
data gathered from survey questionnaires, interviews, and
observations regarding the implementation of Presidential
Decree 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978 in Barangay
Session Road.
Extent of Knowledge of the Businesspeople, and Barangay
Officials about the Anti-Mendicancy Law
In understanding the implementation of the Anti-
Mendicancy Law, the results of the survey of the
businesspeople and barangay officials in the Session Road
area are presented in the table.
Knowledge about the Provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy
Law. The Anti-Mendicancy Law aims to reduce the number of
mendicants on the streets. The basic knowledge about the
provisions of this law is important for the effective
implementation of the same. Table 1 shows the knowledge of
the businesspeople and barangay officials of Session Road
when it comes to the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law.
It summarizes the answers of the first part of the survey
questionnaires of the businesspeople and barangay officials

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
56
Table 1
Extent of Knowledge of the Businesspeople, and Barangay
Officials about the Anti-Mendicancy Law
Restated Provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law Businesspeo Barangay

ple Officials
WM QV WM QV
1. Persons soliciting donations are considered 2.0 LK 2.67 K
mendicants.
2. Helping and giving alms to mendicants is 1.70 LK 2.89 K
punishable by law.
3. The public should contribute only to lawful 2.28 LK 3.00 K
fundraising projects and be prevented from
giving alms.
4. The Department of Health provides the 2.63 K 2.56 K
necessary measures in meeting the health
needs of mendicants.
5. Persons who are 18 years of age, physically 2.30 LK 2.78 K
able to work and engage in beggary are
penalized under the law.
6. Parents or guardians who exploit their 2.60 K 2.78 K
children or use them as a front for begging
are penalized under the law.
7. Neglected children who are found begging age 2.83 K 3.00 K
9 to 15 years old are committed to the
custody and care of the City Social Welfare
and Development office.
8. Persons who are found begging and are 2.83 K 3.00 K
physically or mentally incapable of gainful
occupation shall be properly endorsed to the
City Social Welfare and Development office
for appropriate action.
9. Mendicants upon conviction, are punished by a 1.87 LK 2.67 K
fine not exceeding P500.00 or by imprisonment
for a period not exceeding 2 years or both at
the discretion of the court.
10. A habitual mendicant shall be punished by a 1.91 LK 2.89 K
fine not exceeding P1, 000.00 or by
imprisonment for a period not exceeding 4
years or both at the discretion of the court.
11. Any person who abets mendicancy by giving 2.05 LK 1.78 LK
alms directly to mendicants, exploited
infants and minors on public roads,
sidewalks, parks and bridges are punished by
a fine not exceeding P20.00.
Legend: WM – Weighted Mean

QV – Quantitative Value
K – Knowledgeable
LK – Less Knowledgeable
57
of Barangay Session Road.
Table 1 shows that the businesspeople and the barangay
officials are both knowledgeable on four of the enumerated
provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law. These provisions are:
The Department of Health provides the necessary measures in
meeting the health needs of mendicants; Parents or guardians
who exploit their children or use them as a front for
begging are penalized under the law; Neglected children who
are found begging age 9 to 15 years old are committed to the
custody and care of the City Social Welfare and Development
office; and, Persons who are found begging and are
physically or mentally incapable of gainful occupation shall
be properly endorsed to the City Social Welfare and
Development office for appropriate action.
These provisions border the issues of violence and
social justice which are commonly mentioned in news articles
and news programs on radio and television. This explains why
businesspeople are knowledgeable about them. Likewise, these
provisions focus on the functions of government agencies
tasked to handle mendicants and the actions to be taken by
persons who encounter mendicants. Therefore, officials in
these agencies are knowledgeable about their duties

58
including the departments they are to coordinate with. This
were supported by the interview data from the barangay
officials, an officer from Baguio City Police Office (BCPO),
and a social worker of the City Social Welfare and
Development Office (CSWDO). Both the interviewees from BCPO
and CSWDO mentioned the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force which
carries out the Anti-Mendicancy drive of the city government
of Baguio. According to the interviewed official from the
CSWDO,
The Anti-Mendicancy task force is composed of the

Social Welfare Office, the Baguio City Jail Office, BGC
(Baguio General Hospital) Psychiatric department
specifically, PIO (Public Information Office) who is
mainly in charge of information dissemination about the
implementation of the law. We also have DTI (Department
of Trade and Industry), DOLE (Department of Labor and
Employment), DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and
Development) regional office, and transport groups.
The barangay officials and police officer said that
they usually turn over the mendicants to the social workers
because they have the programs for them. The CSWDO also said
that the police do the apprehension of mendicants who will
then be referred to them for intervention. As they are all
involved in the enforcement of the Anti-Mendicancy Law, this
explains their being knowledgeable of those four provisions.
It appears however that the respondents are least
knowledgeable of the last provision which states that “any

59
person who abets mendicancy by giving alms directly to
mendicants, exploited infants and minors on public roads,
sidewalks, parks and bridges are punished by a fine not
exceeding P20.00.” This is validated by the interview with
eight of the businesspeople who were randomly selected for
an interview. Six of the eight admitted not being aware of
the law. One answered "yes" but when asked about the
punishment imposed on the violators, she answered, "not
aware of it." The other one who claimed to know about the
law because she searched for it answered "not really" when
she was asked about the punishment that is imposed on the
violators. To explain why the businesspeople are least
knowledgeable of the said provision is to consider the
following interview data:
No, I haven’t observed.

Actually, I haven’t seen one.
POSD only.
None as of now.
No. None really.
We see nothing.
No. They just let them.
No, I haven't seen any of them.
These are in response to the query, “Do you see some
barangay officials roaming around to get rid of the
mendicants?” The interviewees may just be eight, but their
responses suggest that the barangay officials do not

60
regularly go around to implement their Anti-Mendicancy
campaign. And having not seen any barangay official who
apprehends or penalizes those who give alms, the presence of
the mendicants along Session Road can simply be dismissed as
normal in an urban area and not punishable. The act of
almsgiving and begging becomes a mundane rule breaking
behavior that does not necessarily make the people perceive
themselves as bad. This contention is expressed in the
reaction of Interviewee 7, “Is that even bad when they are
just sharing in the first place?" And to which Interviewee 8
added, “there's nothing wrong with giving alms to those who
are in need.” Their views show that imposing fines on those
who give alms is unfamiliar and opposed to their beliefs.
The aforecited belief of the interviewees from the
group of businesspeople is echoed by a barangay official who
said, "there would always be those people who are soft-
hearted in which they love to share whatever blessings they
have with those mendicants." This statement could reflect
the reality that the officials have no full grasp of the
rationale of the Anti-Mendicancy Law. Without a full
understanding of the law, it will not be seriously
implemented as rationalizing almsgiving will disconnect it
from the proliferation of mendicancy.

61
The quoted statement of the official may also suggest
that while the officials are generally knowledgeable of the
law and can easily spot an act violating it, the focus of
concern will always be the violator and the penalty to be
imposed will always be on the violator. What is always
hidden are those people in the environment who did acts that
pushed the other person to commit and continue to commit an
act violating an existing law, like this case of mendicancy.
The alms givers are not readily seen as violators of the law
nor their act of almsgiving contribute to mendicancy. This
assertion could be behind the common view of the
businesspeople and the barangay official, and which common
view explains their being least knowledgeable of the
provision that penalizes those who give alms to mendicants.
Table 1 also shows that barangay officials are more
knowledgeable of the other six provisions in contrast to the
businesspeople. These provisions are: Persons soliciting
donations are considered mendicants; Helping and giving alms
to mendicants is punishable by law; The public should
contribute only to lawful fundraising projects and be
prevented from giving alms; Persons who are 18 years of age,
physically able to work and engage in beggary are penalized
under the law; Mendicants upon conviction, are punished by a

62
fine not exceeding P500.00 or by imprisonment for a period
not exceeding 2 years or both at the discretion of the
court; and, A habitual mendicant shall be punished by a fine
not exceeding P1, 000.00 or by imprisonment for a period not
exceeding 4 years or both at the discretion of the court.
These provisions mostly contain the penalties to be imposed
and the persons to be apprehended. The barangay officials
are knowledgeable of these provisions because of their
coordination with the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force. The City
Social Welfare and Development Office, as the head of
Baguio’s Anti-Mendicancy Task Force, have informed the
barangay officials about the provisions of the aforecited
law. The barangay is also part of the Anti-Mendicancy Task
Force of the city as stated by the police officer from the
BCPO as part of the implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy
Ordinance of the City of Baguio.
The businesspeople are less knowledgeable of the
aforecited six provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law because
their knowledge may only be based on what they heard from
news programs or read from newspapers or from how they
understood the items in the given questionnaire.
Specifically, the interviews with the businesspeople show
that majority of them are unaware of the law. When the

63
barangay officials were interviewed, they claimed to have
posted Anti-Mendicancy materials. A sample of this can be
seen in Appendix I (Figure 8). The small tarp simply states
“P.D. 1563 Anti-Mendicancy LAW OF 1978 ‘Bawal po ang
manlimos’ ‘Maiparit ti manglimos’ ‘Don’t give money to
beggars.’” If this is all that is written in an Anti-
Mendicancy campaign material, then it explains why the
businesspeople who had seen the poster are less
knowledgeable of the penalties imposed on both the
mendicants and alms givers.
As narrated in the previous paragraphs, the barangay
officials are more knowledgeable about the provisions of the
Anti-Mendicancy Law compared to the businesspeople as the
former are knowledgeable about ten provisions compared to
the latter’s knowledge of four provisions. Knowledge is
defined as information and understanding gained through
experience which inherently resides within individuals
(Mahmood et al., 2011). Furthermore, Mahmood et al.
classifies knowledge into two, specifically, explicit or
tacit; explicit being the documents and records within the
organization and tacit being the know-how and experience of
the knowledge worker. In other words, tacit knowledge is
learned through dissemination.

64
Barangay officials, in implementing the law, possess
both tacit and explicit knowledge compared to the explicit
knowledge of the businesspeople. As implementers, the
barangay officials have explicit knowledge of laws and
ordinances being implemented in their respective
jurisdictions since they are being briefed about these by
the different departments and law enforcement agencies
within the city government. This explicit knowledge was
gained thru the reading of the law and the knowledge shared
by the lead agencies of the task force. Their tacit
knowledge on the other hand is the experiences they gain in
implementing the said laws.
The continued implementation of the law fuels the
officials' tacit knowledge and gives them enough experience
and know-how to be more effective in the enforcement of it.
Their tacit knowledge explains why they are knowledgeable in
10 out of 11 cited provisions. This also explains why in one
provision they are less knowledgeable. The reason for this
is they admitted that they do not know, or they were not
oriented on the penalty to be imposed. In simple terms, they
lack the tacit and explicit knowledge in this specific
provision.
65
Frivaldo (2016), in her study of the implementation of
Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare
Act of 2006, concluded that a high level of awareness does
not necessarily translate to effective implementation of the
law. Other factors could affect the success of the
implementation of the law. Despite the majority of the
survey respondents being knowledgeable of the law, the
interviews with the businesspeople showed that some of them
still give alms to the mendicants. As shown in the
interview with the Barangay Councilor, the soft-heartedness
of the people causes them to give alms to the mendicants.
The "humanitarian reasons" repeatedly mentioned by both
interviewees from the BCPO and CSWDO also prevented the full
implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy law in terms of the
penalties enumerated by the law.
This is further shown in the interview data gathered
from the CSWDO and BCPO. The police officer discussed that
they do not apply penalties especially to seasonal
mendicants who:
…are usually escorted out of the city for free or if

they can, they pay for their fare. Due to humanitarian
reasons, we only help them to go back to their home
instead of imprisoning them or collecting the penalty
fees. They don’t have the money that’s why they come
here to beg.
66
Similarly, the social worker explains that they do not
penalize the mendicants. Instead, the CSWDO offers
alternative programs for the mendicants. She narrated that:
So far, during my 12 years in the social welfare

office, nobody was apprehended and fined for that
violation, Anti-Mendicancy. As I’ve mentioned earlier,
we do not provide fines or any imprisonment. Not unless
they will be found out that they are using these people
to beg on the street, like in a syndicate. Maybe if
there is something like that, they will be the ones to
be fined. But for the mendicants themselves, I haven’t
seen anyone like that.
Furthermore, the moral standing of the barangay
officials may have affected their responses when
implementing the law. As reflected in the interviews, the
officials of the barangay and implementing agencies are less
likely to impose fines and penalties on the apprehended
mendicants because they believe that begging is their only
source of living.
Ways by which the Businesspeople and the Barangay Officials
Address Mendicancy
This section presents the results of the cooperation of
the businesspeople, Barangay Session Road, BCPO, and CSWDO
in the implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law. However,
it is best to understand first the process that is observed
in addressing the issue of mendicancy in the City of Baguio.

67
Ways by which Mendicancy is Addressed in the City of
Baguio. The Anti-Mendicancy Task Force of Baguio City was
created through the executive order by Mayor Benjamin
Magalong. Through this task force, the barangay officials
coordinate with the CSWDO and BCPO to implement the Anti-
Mendicancy Law.
Process of coordination of the Anti-Mendicancy Task
Force. Figure 3 presents the process on how the Anti-
Mendicancy Task Force coordinates and addresses mendicancy
in Baguio. The process of intervention can be outlined based
on the given cases by the BCPO and most importantly by the
CSWDO.
The barangay officials and the BCPO are primarily tasked to
do the apprehension of the mendicants. According to the
Acting Barangay Chairman, they also interview the mendicants
to know the reason why they engage in mendicancy. The social
workers coordinate with the BCPO and barangay officials
especially in apprehending violent mendicants.
Figure 3
Ways by which Mendicancy is Addressed in the City of Baguio

68
The police officer also mentioned that they exercise
maximum tolerance when apprehending mendicants. Whenever

69
they encounter violent mendicants, they seek help from the
CSWDO since mendicants listen to the social workers because
they provide food packs. On the other end, the CSWDO said
that they guaranteed the police officials that they are
allowed to use force when there is resistance since it is a
coordinated operation between the two departments.
The social worker added the violent mendicants are
admitted to the psychiatry department of the Baguio General
Hospital for proper mental health intervention. Furthermore,
some of them overreact when they are being apprehended to
"grab attention and sympathy from the people." The
coordination between the CSWDO and BCPO help these
mendicants to be safely apprehended and given proper
intervention.
After the mendicants are apprehended, they are referred
by the BCPO and barangay officials to the CSWDO for proper
intervention. If necessary, the CSWDO provides for the
immediate necessities of the mendicants especially those who
need medical attention. The CSWDO interview each mendicant
and gather information about them. The social worker also
asks them about their reasons for engaging in mendicancy.
The interventions of the CSWDO are based on whether the
mendicants are Baguio residents or not. If the mendicants

70
are Baguio residents, the CSWDO together with the
mendicants' families and the barangay officials start to
formulate programs and provide services for intervention.
Aside from the coordination of government agencies, the
participation of the families is also needed in the Anti-
Mendicancy drive. The families of the mendicants are
knowledgeable about them and are responsible for helping the
CSWDO to create intervention programs for their family
members. After the case conference with the mendicant's
family, the programs are given on a case-by-case basis. The
local mendicants are monitored by the CSWDO to ensure that
they do not return to mendicancy. Former mendicants who were
given programs and services are encouraged to return to
CSWDO for follow-up and additional social services and
financial assistance they could avail.
If the mendicants are non-Baguio residents, the CSWDO
communicates to the concerned local government unit where
they came from. The intervention for these seasonal
mendicants will be given by their respective LGUs and the
social welfare office in their hometown. They are then
escorted out from the city by the BCPO through government
vehicles or with the assistance of transport groups.
Monitoring is done by the city and the hometown of the
mendicants to ensure that they do not return to mendicancy.

71
Those mendicants who repeatedly return to Baguio City are
escorted back again to their hometown.
In this Anti-Mendicancy drive, the barangay officials
are the first responders to the problem of mendicancy in
their barangay. Whenever necessary, they coordinate with the
CSWDO and BCPO to address the problem of mendicancy. This is
illustrated by the interviewed social worker who cited their
patrol in Barangay Kabayanihan, Session Road last February
5, 2021. She narrated:
Our team was in Barangay Kabayanihan with the police,

POSD, and even PIDAW (persons with disability affairs)
officer. Because during our round-up with the barangay,
we could really observe that 80 percent of them
(mendicants) were PWDs. So, we involved Sir Samuel
Aquino on behalf of PWDs in the city if they have
programs or recommend any ideas when it comes to the
management of this. We conduct some round-up when the
barangay really exerts efforts, but they cannot really
handle them. As the Barangay Captain has said, “I
already talk to them, I interview them, but they really
don’t want to tell the truth.”
The coordination with the CSWDO and other members of
the task force are needed if the barangay officials are
unable to handle the mendicants. Although the barangay which
coordinated with the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force was not
Barangay Session Road, it still illustrated how the
different government agencies coordinate to implement the
law. The barangay officials are important members of the

72
Anti-Mendicancy Task Force as they are also tasked to
disseminate information to the businesspeople.
Paternalism was shown through the coordination of the
barangay officials and the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force to
address the problem of mendicancy. According to Thomas and
Buckmaster (2013), an action can be paternalistic if it (1)
limits a subject's freedom, (2) is performed without the
subject's consent, and (3) performed with a beneficial
intent. The patrols of the task force headed by the CSWDO
are paternalistic because the mendicants were apprehended
and gathered by the BCPO which limited their freedom to beg
for alms. This action was performed with the good intentions
of helping the mendicants and ensuring their safety. The
mendicants, especially the elderly, were endorsed for swab
testing since they were vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.
The presence of Mr. Samuel Aquino, the PIDAW officer, also
shows that the task force ensured that the mendicants were
gathered in a non-violent manner.
Classification of Mendicants in the City of Baguio. The
mendicants in Baguio City can be classified further into the
following categories (a)senior citizens, (b)mendicants with
mental health issues, (c)persons with disability, and
(d)seasonal or migratory mendicants. The intervention given

73
by the CSWDO, and other partner agencies depends on the
classification of mendicants.
Table 2 shows the description of the mendicants based
on the information provided by the interviewees from the
barangay officials, BCPO, and CSWDO. The table also shows
the nature of intervention employed by the interviewees
towards these mendicants as well as the proofs that the
interventions succeeded and the reasons why some mendicants
return to their old practices despite undergoing
interventions.
The interview data from the CSWDO showed that the
interventions are given based on the needs of the
mendicants. The intervention for the senior citizens begging
for alms involves the family specifically the children of
the mendicants. The CSWDO usually suggests changing the
environment of the senior citizens to disrupt and prevent
them from continuing their routine of begging.
Table 2
Profile of Mendicants and Summary of Interventions
Types of Profile Nature of Proof of Reason why

Mendicants Intervention Success of the Others Revert
Intervention to Begging
Done
74
Senior Others with Coordination The mendicant Boredom;

Citizens dementia; with family was stopped Negligence of
Well-to-do members of the from coming to family
with working mendicants; Baguio because members
children but Changing the she/he is not
used to going environment of familiar with
out the mendicant his /her new
residence.
Mendicants Persons with Social workers None Respective

with Mental mental coordinate families have
Health Issues illnesses from with the no means to
poor families families of take them to
the mendicants mental health
about their institutions
condition; or provide
referred to for their
the psychiatry medication
department of
BGH
Persons with Mendicants who livelihood Others put up Earn less

Disability have visual skills massage parlor compared to
(PWDs) impairment, training; and became begging;
hearing CSWD food employers of difficulty of
impairment packs; fellow PWDs earning money
endorsed to because of
the Baguio their
Cathedral disability
Seasonal/ Badjaos from Sent back to Some got tired Easier way to
Migratory Zambales their hometown of returning earn money
Mendicants and referred to the city than getting
From other to their only to be tired of
provinces respective sent home working
local social again after
welfare getting
offices for apprehended
livelihood
programs
Among the programs given by the CSWDO and its partner
agencies is providing livelihood skills training to the
mendicants particularly to those with physical disabilities.
This skills training helped the mendicants to have a source

75
of income and even put up their own massage clinics. As
discussed by the social worker:
Actually years back, there were a lot of mendicants who

were persons with disabilities (PWD). But the office
and other agencies provided them skills training,
livelihood and we refer them to the Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program (4Ps). At least, some mendicants are
able to find self-employment. Other mendicants who are
visually-impaired have undergone series of programs or
training under our office like massage while those who
are hearing-impaired learn cooking. So they were able
to establish their massage clinic that’s why they
already have a source of income. They even pay their
SSS, PhilHealth as they become employers of their
fellow PWDs.
Additionally, the CSWDO also coordinates with the
Baguio Cathedral (Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral) which
provides employment to the massage therapists who have
participated in the livelihood skills training offered by
the CSWDO. The Baguio Cathedral employs and gives them a 500
pesos allowance with food packs in exchange for their
services and promises to not engage in mendicancy.
Aside from the livelihood programs, the CSWDO also
coordinates with the relatives and families of the
mendicants especially those who are in need of medical
assistance. The CSWDO helps these families to understand the
situation of their relatives who suffer from mental illness
or disability. They create programs that can help the
mendicants address their mental health illnesses. As

76
elaborated by the CSWDO officer, they provide "information
about the illness of the vagrants aside from what BGH is
providing them. Of course, in the process of medical aspect,
the psychiatrist and social workers explain to the family
members the conditions of the mendicants." The CSWDO also
explains to the families the need to update the social
workers about the status of their mendicant family members
on whether they need to be brought to the hospital or about
the medication they have to take.
As for the migratory mendicants, they are being
apprehended and escorted back to their hometown and are then
referred to their respective social welfare units. Whenever
they come back to the city, the BCPO and CSWDO repeat the
same process until such time that these migratory mendicants
get tired of coming back and being apprehended again. As
discussed by the interviewed police officer,
We transport them by batch after they are captured.

Hopefully, they get tired of going in here and being
sent back to their hometown. Then there was the ECQ
(Enhanced Community Quarantine) so they had no means
to travel. Let’s see again after all these pandemic
events if they will return. At least transporting them
has effectively discouraged them to go here.
Despite the offered programs and intervention of the
government, some mendicants still return to begging for
various reasons. According to the acting Barangay Session

77
Road chairman, mendicants in their barangay especially the
senior citizens see mendicancy as a pastime and a way to
reduce their boredom. Their children who need to work are
unable to watch over them all day. Furthermore, the families
of the mendicants especially those with mental illnesses are
unable to sustain their medications because of poverty. Some
families also get tired of looking for their mendicant
relatives when they travel to other places.
Additionally, although they are given the opportunity
to work in one of the programs of the CSWDO, mendicants
particularly the PWDs would still go back to begging because
they earn more in mendicancy than staying in the livelihood
program that is provided to them. Those who are employed and
given an allowance by the Baguio Cathedral returned to
mendicancy after their work as massage therapists. Thus, the
church has no choice but to terminate their employment and
allowance.
Lastly, the lack of implementation of enumerated
penalties allows them to go back to mendicancy. If
mendicants are apprehended, they are released and eventually
return to their usual routine of begging in the streets.
Barangay Officials and Businesspeople in the Initial
Stage of the Anti-Mendicancy Campaign. Based on the

78
discussion of Figure 3, the exact location of the Barangay
Officials and the businesspeople of Session Road in the
Anti-Mendicancy Campaign is the initial stage of
Apprehension. But in apprehending mendicants there is a need
to be familiar of the kinds of mendicants they are dealing
with as the type of mendicants probably affect their
decisions whether or not these mendicants will be
apprehended or reported to the police for assistance in
apprehending the mendicants.
Table 3 is therefore presented since it summarizes the
affirmation or non-affirmation of both the businesspeople
and the barangay officials of the circumstances that may
discourage mendicancy and circumstances relevant to the
apprehension of mendicants.
Both the barangay officials and businesspeople
responded with a high percentage of "Yes" in seven out of
Table 3
Ways by which the Businesspeople and the Barangay Officials
Address Mendicancy
Businesspeople Barangay Official
Indicators Yes No Yes No
f % f % f % f %
1. Business establishment do not 47 43.93 56 52.34 5 55.56 2 22.22

entertain beggars.
2. The business owners and 41 38.32 65 60.75 6 66.67 3 33.33
79
employees discourage
customers from giving alms to
the beggars.
3. Both business establishments 81 75.70 25 23.36 6 66.67 3 33.33
and Barangay officials
coordinate with each other in
implementing the Anti-
Mendicancy Law.
4. The Barangay officials 75 70.09 32 29.91 7 77.78 2 22.22
perform the necessary
information dissemination
about the Anti- Mendicancy
Law.
5. The Barangay officials 72 67.29 35 32.71 5 55.56 4 44.44
regularly remind businesses
to comply with the Anti-
Mendicancy Law.
6. The assistance of the 74 69.16 33 30.84 6 66.67 3 33.33
Barangay officials
specifically the Barangay
tanods are accessible to the
business establishment.
7. The barangay officials have 64 59.81 42 39.25 8 88.89 1 11.11
actually apprehended
mendicants.
8. The way Barangay officials 67 62.62 39 36.44 7 77.78 2 22.22
apprehend mendicants are
strict but humane.
9. Those who give alms are also 56 52.34 49 45.79 6 66.67 3 33.33
apprehended by the Barangay
officials.
10. The barangay officials 73 68.22 34 31.78 4 44.44 5 55.56
frequently conduct patrols
along session road
11. The presence of the Barangay 69 64.49 38 35.51 4 44.44 5 55.56
officials lessened the number
of mendicants.
Legend: f – frequency; Purple – high percentage for businesspeople

% - percentage; Blue - high percentage for both
Red - high percentage for barangay officials
the 11 indicators. These are indicators 3 to 9 which contain
the following: the coordination of the business
establishments and barangay officials, information
officials, regular reminders of the barangay officials,
accessibility of the barangay assistance, and barangay
apprehension of the mendicants and those who give alms.

80
The survey result is reflected in the statement of one
barangay councilor, “Yes. We tell them about it, for them to
not allow the mendicants within their place because they
somehow serve as distractions to the customers and
passersby.” This indirect claim of coordinating with the
businesspeople is shared by the Acting Barangay Chairperson
who said that:
… made posters against Anti-Mendicancy saying that

giving alms is prohibited. Whoever we caught giving
alms to these mendicants will be arrested by the
barangay. There are posters around… We tell them to not
give alms of any sort with the hope of eradicating
mendicancy.
… the establishments were given enough
instructions to not let them in and to chase them away.
A closer look at the seven items which earned the "yes"
of both sets of respondents manifest that Item 3 is a call
for coordination between both parties as regards the
implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law. To make this
work, there is a need for information dissemination (Item 4)
and reinforcement hence a reminder (Item 5). In complying
with the law, it is expected that the businesspeople can
seek assistance from the barangay (Item 6) if there is a
need to apprehend mendicants who are stationed in or near
their area (Items 7, 8, and 9). However, this survey result
shows that the coordination between the businesspeople and

81
barangay officials is contradicted by the statements of the
interviewees who were also respondents in the survey. All of
the businesspeople who were interviewed stated that they
have never seen barangay officials apprehending mendicants
despite the survey showing a positive rating from the
businesspeople.
First, the businesspeople are generally less
knowledgeable of the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law
as shown in Table 1. Second, the result is validated by the
interviewees who admitted that they do not actually know nor
are aware of the said law. If indeed there was an
information dissemination done by the barangay officials,
such could have been at the level of the business owners,
through letters, but not their workers. Third, the
interviewees disclosed that out of pity they give alms to
the mendicants, the reason why a few of them questioned the
wisdom of the law that punishes alms givers who out of pity
share what they could to the beggars. And fourth, no less
than the barangay officials themselves admitted that they
understand the beggars and confirmed the observation of the
businesspeople that they (officials) do not regularly patrol
the locale. Given all these, it is improbable that there is
a real and effective coordination between the businesspeople
and the barangay officials for the implementation of the

82
said law. What seems to be suggested by both the interview
and observation data but not the survey data as the
prevailing norm in the locale is an environment of tolerance
for mendicancy.
Table 3 also shows that four out of the 11 indicators
show that both barangay officials and businesspeople
differed in their answers. Item 1 (Business establishment do
not entertain beggars.) and item 2 (The business owners and
employees discourage customers from giving alms to the
beggars.) earned from the barangay officials a high
percentage of "yes" while they earned from the
businesspeople a high percentage of "no". The majority of
the barangay officials answered "yes" based on their
perspective that they regularly and adequately remind the
businesspeople to refrain from giving alms to the
mendicants. They expect that the businesspeople will comply.
However, this is not reflected in what the businesspeople
are doing. Reflective of their being less knowledgeable of
the Anti-Mendicancy Law as shown in Table 1, the
businesspeople have the tendency not to heed what was
communicated by the barangay officials to them or to their
bosses that is why they give alms to the mendicants.
Interviewee 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 answered that they give alms
to mendicants whenever they beg to them. All of the four

83
interviewees admitted that they give money to the mendicants
except for Interviewee 6 who "usually give fruits and not
money."
Interviewees 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 also declared that they
pity the mendicants. Interestingly, Interviewee 3 and 4,
still pity them even though they admit that some of them are
possibly pretending to be mendicants. This tolerance for
mendicancy is understood by one barangay councilor who
indirectly justified it by saying, “… take into
consideration that this situation is quite inevitable since
there would always be those people who are soft-hearted in
which they love to share whatever blessings they have with
those mendicants."
The stakeholder's theory in Corporate Social
Responsibility states that businesspeople have the
responsibility to help in addressing the problem of the
community where their businesses are established (Goel &
Ramanathan, 2014). The businesspeople in Session Road
regularly encounter the mendicants. Thus, they have the
ability to help lessen mendicancy in Session Road. However,
as manifested by the interviews, the businesspeople were not
able to help implement the Anti-Mendicancy law because of
their pity and generosity to the mendicants.

84
The last two items, item 10 (The barangay officials
frequently conduct patrols along Session Road) and item 11
(The presence of the Barangay officials lessened the number
of mendicants.) show that the majority of the businesspeople
answered "yes" while the barangay officials answered the
opposite. The high percentage of "no" by the barangay
officials is supported by the statement of the Acting
Barangay Chairperson that they "are not able of monitoring
them (mendicants) for 24 hours." He added that "it is like
hide-and-seek. For instance, we prohibit them from sleeping
on the street at night. After we (officials) got home, they
return and sleep on the street." The barangay officials are
unable to regularly patrol the area and this affirms the
claim of the eight interviewees that they have not seen any
barangay official patrolling Session Road. Their absence was
also noted during the researchers’ ocular observation of the
locale where there were mendicants.
Additionally, the low self-rating of the barangay
officials for Item 11 (presence of barangay officials
lessens the mendicants) can be explained by the following
statements of the Acting Barangay Chairperson:
We keep on telling their children about what their

parents are engaged to (mendicancy). However, according
to them, they couldn't stop what their parents are
doing since they are hard-headed. We (barangay
85
officials) cannot do anything as well because they keep

on doing it anyway even if we restrict them.
Actually, we couldn't force them to leave what
they are doing or to leave the place.
As illustrated above, despite their efforts to
eradicate mendicancy in Session Road, it is difficult for
them to implement the said law. The same official added that
they:
have a lot of problems we encounter. Sometimes they say

that we are anti-poor reasoning that begging is the
only livelihood they have. It is when they throw things
on us or hit us with something especially the elderly
when they are prohibited to beg.
The Barangay Councilor also added that it is a
challenge because of "the pity that comes along with our job
whenever we prohibit these mendicants to do such because
some of them are really lacking attention and love from
their family." These experiences show that the barangay
officials perceive that their presence does not
significantly affect the mendicants.
As discussed by Cariño (2000), the state, civil
society, and private sector are important in governance. As
illustrated by the interview with the barangay officials,
the private sector needs to cooperate in the implementation
of the law. The barangay officials disseminated the

86
necessary information to the businesspeople because they
have the authority and power to implement the law. But the
businesspeople also play an important role in the
implementation of the said law because they regularly
conduct business in Session Road where mendicants beg for
alms. However, the lack of real and effective coordination
between the state and private sectors lead to ineffective
governance.
Overall, both respondents answered positively to seven
out of the 11 indicators while the remaining indicators
showed differing answers from the respondents. Although the
majority of the indicators have a positive rating, the
existing contradictions between the survey and interview
data have shown that the coordination between the barangay
officials and businesspeople are ineffective; thus, the next
step (Figure 3) of turning them over to the CSWDO as
indicated by the data did not happen. Furthermore, the
remaining four indicators have shown that the partnership of
the barangay officials and businesspeople have not
significantly lessened the numbers of mendicants in the
locale, implying a need for the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force
to strengthen the coordination between the two through a
reorientation of their role in step 1 (Figure 3) of the
Anti-Mendicancy campaign.
87
The researchers examined the implementation of the
Anti-Mendicancy Law in Barangay Session Road by measuring
the knowledge and the implementation of both the barangay
officials and businesspeople. The survey data showed that
both the barangay officials and businesspeople were
knowledgeable of four out of the 11 provisions enumerated.
Both respondents were less knowledgeable on the last
provision (Any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms
directly to mendicants, exploited infants and minors on
public roads, sidewalks, parks and bridges are punished by a
fine not exceeding P20.00). Overall, the businesspeople were
knowledgeable of the four out of the 11 provisions
enumerated. On the other hand, the barangay officials were
knowledgeable to all of the enumerated provisions except for
one.
The study also examined how the barangay officials and
businesspeople address mendicancy in Barangay Session Road.
The barangay officials, as part of the Anti-Mendicancy Task
Force, coordinates with the BCPO and CSWDO in apprehending
the mendicants for proper intervention. They are also
responsible for the information dissemination of the Anti-
Mendicancy Law in their barangay. However, the survey data
showed that the barangay officials perceive that they have
limited power to implement the law. On the other hand, the

88
businesspeople are also shown to be a crucial part of the
implementation of the law. However, the interview results
showed that they are unable to help implement the law as
majority of the interviewees still give alms to the
mendicants. Furthermore, the existing contradictions between
the survey results and interview data showed the lack of
proper coordination and communication between the barangay
officials and businesspeople.

Chapter 4
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the conclusions derived from the
findings and recommendations to improve the policy
implementation and recommendations for future studies.
Conclusions
Based on the findings, the following are the
conclusions:
1. The businesspeople are Less Knowledgeable on most of
the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law whereas the
barangay officials are Knowledgeable on all of the
provisions except the penalty imposed on people abetting
mendicancy.
2. The businesspeople and the barangay officials
address mendicancy in the Session Road area through
apprehension of beggars, turning them over to CSWDO for
intervention, and providing immediate needs such as food and
medical attention.
Recommendations
Based on the findings, the following are recommended:

Conclusions and Recommendations
90
1. The City Government should still conduct a series of
seminars and workshops for the barangay officials not only
from the place of concern but across the city of Baguio for
them to continuously widen their knowledge and to deepen
their understanding of the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy
Law. Through such, they can have a full grasp of the
rationale of the said law. With a full understanding of the
law, it would be seriously implemented to eradicate the
practice of alms giving in the private sector and the
pedestrians. If such takes place, there will be a higher
chance of a reduction of mendicancy. Also, the barangay
officials are advised to put more effort into the
information dissemination of the Anti-Mendicancy Law
especially regarding the penalties or fines imposed on the
violators of the said law.
2. The barangay officials should focus more on
apprehending those who give alms while continuously rescuing
the mendicants to discourage the people from giving alms and
at the same time remove begging opportunities for the
mendicants. Businesspeople should strictly discourage their
customers from giving alms by posting notices or
infographics about the Anti-Mendicancy Law on the entrance
or around their business establishment. Rescuing the
mendicants to discourage the people from giving alms and at

Conclusions and Recommendations
91
the same time remove begging opportunities for the
mendicants. It is also necessary to amend the law to
increase the penalty imposed on people abetting mendicancy.
3. Future researchers can focus on studying the
efficiency of the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force to evaluate
further the effect of active law enforcement on the
participation of the people in the Anti-Mendicancy drive.
The researchers also recommend a study about the
mendicants’ family who received interventions from the CSWDO
and the factors affecting the success or failure of the
interventions to improve the programs offered addressing the
different kinds of mendicants.

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Appendix A
QUESTIONNAIRE
Kindly put a check mark (⁄) on your answer.
I. Knowledge about the Provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law
Statements about Mendicancy or Knowledgeable Less Not

Beggary Knowledgeable Knowledgeable
1. Persons soliciting donations
are considered mendicants.
2. Helping and giving alms to
mendicants is punishable by
law.
3. The public should contribute
only to lawful fund raising
projects and be prevented from
giving alms.
4. The Department of Health
provides the necessary
measures in meeting the health
needs of mendicants.
5. Persons who are 18 years of
age, physically able to work
and engage in beggary are
6. Parents or guardians who
exploit their children or use
them as front for begging are
7. Neglected children who are
found begging age 9 to 15
years old are committed to the
custody and care of the City
Social Welfare and Development
office.
8. Persons who are found begging
and are physically or mentally
incapable of gainful
occupation shall be properly
endorsed to the City Social
Welfare and Development office
for appropriate action.
9. Mendicants upon conviction,
are punished by a fine not
exceeding P500.00 or by
imprisonment for a period not
exceeding 2 years or both at
10. A habitual mendicant shall be
punished by a fine not
exceeding P1, 000.00 or by
imprisonment for a period not
exceeding 4 years or both at
11. Any person who abets
mendicancy by giving alms
directly to mendicants,
exploited infants and minors
on public roads, sidewalks,
parks and bridges are punished
by a fine not exceeding
P20.00.
Appendix A
99
II. Ways by which the Private Sector and the Barangay Officials Address
Mendicancy
INDICATORS Yes No
1. Business establishment do not entertain beggars.
2. The business owners and employees discourage customers
from giving alms to the beggars.
3. Both business establishments and Barangay officials
coordinate with each other in implementing the Anti-
Mendicancy Law.
4. The Barangay officials perform the necessary information
dissemination about the Anti- Mendicancy Law.
5. The Barangay officials regularly remind businesses to
comply with the Anti-Mendicancy Law.
6. The assistance of the Barangay officials specifically the
Barangay tanods are accessible to the business
establishment.
7. The barangay officials have actually apprehended
mendicants.
8. The way Barangay officials apprehend mendicants are
strict but humane.
9. Those who give alms are also apprehended by the Barangay
officials.
10. The barangay officials frequently conduct patrols along
session road
11. The presence of the Barangay officials lessened the
number of mendicants.
Appendix B
INTERVIEW GUIDE
For Business Owners/ Workers and Barangay Officials
1. Are you aware of the existing law that prohibits mendicants? How is it being
performed in your barangay?
2. Who are involved in its implementation? How and to what extent does this impact
the people?
3. What are the underlying punishments if one violates and/or does not adhere to the
said ordinance in the city?
4. Who collects the penalties for violators of the measure? Do these penalties
significantly lessen the violators and most especially the mendicants?
II. Ways by which the Private Sector and the Barangay Officials Address Mendicancy
For Business Owners/ Workers
1. How often do you see mendicants in the streets begging? As part of the private
sector or Barangay officials, how do you respond to the mendicants?
2. If a mendicant setting up in front of your establishment, which of the following

would you do:
a. Ask nicely to leave the vicinity.

b. Contact the nearest law enforcement or Barangay Session Road for
assistance.
c. Give alms and ask them to leave.
d. Leave them be.
With your answer, can you elaborate why you did it? (Depending in choice further
question will be ask)
3. What can you say about why would mendicant choose your establishment to set up
there?
a. Do you believe the mendicant will hamper your business operation or the
appeal of your establishment?
b. Do you believe that such action will make the mendicant not to set up near
your establishment again? Moreover, in what level of confidence can you
say about the Anti-Mendicant efforts are working? Is there anything else
that you have observe after how the enforcer has rid the mendicant off
your establishment for the day or the coming days?
c. Do you believe giving alms will solve the problem or make them just
comeback for more? How do you feel about the whole situation?
d. None
Would you share your thoughts to the Barangay Session Road officials for them to
input your thoughts?
For Barangay Officials
4. How do the Barangay officials monitor and keep the records of permanent and
seasonal beggars? How does this help in coordinating with the business
establishments?
5. Street performers who ask for donations can sometimes be seen in Session Road. Are
they considered as mendicants? If their street performances are legal, what are
the requirements given by the Barangay Session Road?
6. What were the challenges that the Barangay officials encounter in implementing the
Anti- Mendicancy Law? How did the Barangay Session Road address these challenges?
Appendix C
OBSERVATION GUIDE
Instructions to observer: Write down actions see and hear during the following
circumstances.
Location:
Date and Time:
1. Behavior of the business owners during the

interview:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Behavior of the Barangay officials during the

interview:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Behavior of the passersby when responding to

the questionnaire:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
1. Visibility of the Barangay officials in responding in case of mendicancy or

beggary to the establishments:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Response of the Barangay officials towards begging and solicitations during

official duty hours:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Behavior of the Barangay officials during the interview for the profiling of the
mendicants:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. Response of the business owners and/or towards begging and solicitations during
certain duration of business hours:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. Response of the passersby towards begging and solicitations during certain time
of the day:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix D
PROFILE OF BARANGAY SESSION ROAD
Session Road Area is a barangay in the city of Baguio. Its

population as determined by the 2015 Census was 121. This represented
0.04% of the total population of Baguio. According to the 2015 Census,
the age group with the highest population in Session Road Area is 15 to
19, with 29 individuals. Conversely, the age group with the lowest
population is 70 to 74, with 1 individual. The population of Session
Road Area fell from 353 in 1990 to 121 in 2015, a decrease of 232
people. The latest census figures in 2015 denote a positive growth rate
of 6.95%, or an increase of 36 people, from the previous population of
85 in 2010. It is one of the busiest places in Baguio since it comprises
of malls, restaurants and other business establishments frequented by
people. Session Road Area is situated at approximately 16.4139,
120.6000, in the island of Luzon. Elevation at these coordinates is
estimated at 1,450.6 meters or 4,759.1 feet above mean sea level.
Session Road is the commercial center of Baguio City. Variety of
shops, stores and offices are established along the road. The streets
along Session Road are usually filled with local residents, students
from surrounding schools and universities, and tourists or visitors.
Since it is considered as a central business district, Session Road real
estate is considered as the most expensive in the entirety of Baguio.
Its central location also means that it provides the most direct route
to major roads such as Leonard Wood and Loakan Road where major Baguio
city attractions are located. The busy streets of Session Road are also
congested with vehicles and pedestrians as a result of its location
(GoBaguio, 2012).
Tourism is one of Baguio's main industries due to its cool climate
and history. The city is one of the country's top tourist destinations.
During the yearend holidays, some people from the lowlands prefer
spending their vacation in Baguio, to experience cold temperatures they
rarely have in their home provinces. Also, during summer, especially
during Holy Week, tourists from all over the country flock to the city.
During this time, the total number of people in the city doubles. To
accommodate all these people, there are more than 80 hotels and inns
available, as well as numerous transient houses set up by the locals.
Local festivities such as the Panagbenga Festival also attract both
local and foreign tourists.
Session Road have not only attracted tourists but also groups of
beggars. According to a Baguio Midland article (Lacsamana, 2016),
beggars from the lowlands visit the city during holidays and tourist
season to beg for alms. They are usually seen in popular tourist
attractions including Session Road, Burnham Park, Abanao and Diego
Silang streets. These beggars from lowlands usually consist of Badjaos.
They add up to the local beggars who are usually the elderly residents.
The researchers, by personal experience, have also witnessed or
interacted with these mendicants along Governor Pack Road.
Unfortunately, there are also children and persons with
disabilities who are being exploited or used for the purpose of
Appendix D
104
collecting money or alms through mendicancy. This is also a

concern for people with mental health or psychological problems living
in the streets. City officials have called for a holistic approach
against mendicancy. However, the problem still exists today.
In light of this, Mayor Benjamin Magalong thru an executive order
created the Anti–Mendicancy Task Force led by the City Social Welfare
and Development Office with the Office of Councilor Arthur Allad-iw, the
Baguio City Police Office, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center,
Department of the Interior and Local Government–Baguio, Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology, Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Mental
Health Association Baguio–Benguet, Department of Trade and Industry,
Philippine Information Agency and the different bus companies operating
in the city. The functions of the task force are aligned with
Presidential Decree 1563 or the Anti–Mendicancy law that calls for the
establishment of an integrated system for the control and eradication of
mendicancy, which is mainly to promote social justice, protection of
life, property and dignity of the citizenry as mendicancy breeds crime,
creates traffic hazards, endangers health and exposes mendicants to
indignities and degradation. Magalong expressed the city government’s
gratitude to all the partners in such worthy undertaking of implementing
the Anti-Mendicancy law, both for the welfare of the citizenry and those
being exploited to become mendicants, as well as the other people living
in the streets that need government interventions. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR).
According to the acting Barangay Captain, the mendicancy is a
problem because of the inability of the Barangay officials to penalize
the mendicants. The Barangay turn over mendicants they have caught to
the Department of Social Welfare and Development for counselling. The
OIC also explained that the mendicants have families and children who
are professionals. Some mendicants also have their own houses,
businesses and property. The relatives are unable to discourage the
mendicants from this kind of lifestyle and the OIC thinks that it had
serve as a past time for the mendicants. Since the Barangay cannot
detain them, it becomes an endless cycle of catching and releasing the
mendicants who repeatedly go back to begging for alms. The Barangay do
not also have the authority to keep records of the mendicants for the
sake of their privacy. The officials have also encounter violent
mendicants especially old people and persons with mental illness. This
makes rescuing the mendicants difficult as the officials can be harmed
by the mendicants themselves.
However, the Barangay officials still continue to discourage
tourists, pedestrians and business owners from giving alms to the
mendicants. Posters are also placed around Session Road to remind and
inform that giving alms is prohibited by the law. The Barangay officials
are more focused on informing and discouraging the pedestrians and
businesspeople from giving alms to the mendicants since they cannot
detain or fine them. The business owners along Session Road are also
reminded by the Barangay to prohibit mendicancy inside their business
establishments (personal communication, January 28, 2021).
Appendix E
COMMUNICATION LETTERS
Letter of Request to Session Road Barangay

Appendix E
106
Appendix E
107
Document Tracer Slip from CSWDO

Appendix E
108
Letter of Request to CSWDO

Appendix E
109
Appendix E
110
Letter of Request to BCPO

Appendix E
111
Appendix F
TALLY AND COMPUTATION OF VALUES

A. Businesspeople
Less Not
Statements about Mendicancy or Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable Knowledgeable
Beggary (3)
(2) (1)
1. (1 respondent did not answer) 37 28 41
2. (2 respondents did not answer) 25 16 64
4. 82 11 14
5. 58 19 30
7. 95 4 8
8. 93 8 6
9. (3 respondents did not answer) 28 33 43
10. (1 did not respond) 33 23 50
Businesspeop
Restated Provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law le
WM QV
1. Persons soliciting donations are considered mendicants. 2.0 LK
2. Helping and giving alms to mendicants is punishable by law. 1.70 LK
3. The public should contribute only to lawful fund raising projects
2.28 LK
and be prevented from giving alms.
4. Persons who are 18 years of age, physically able to work and engage
2.30 LK
in beggary are penalized under the law.
5. Parents or guardians who exploit their children or use them as front

2.60 K
for begging are penalized under the law.
6. Neglected children who are found begging age 9 to 15 years old are
committed to the custody and care of the City Social Welfare and 2.83 K
Development office.
7. Persons who are found begging and are physically or mentally
incapable of gainful occupation shall be properly endorsed to the 2.83 K
City Social Welfare and Development office for appropriate action.
Appendix F
113
8. Mendicants upon conviction, are punished by a fine not exceeding

P500.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years or both 1.87 LK
at the discretion of the court.
9. A habitual mendicant shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P1,
000.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 4 years or both 1.91 LK
10. Any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms directly to mendicants,
exploited infants and minors on public roads, sidewalks, parks and 2.05 LK
bridges are punished by a fine not exceeding P20.00.
Legend: WM – Weighted Mean; QV – Quantitative Value
B. Barangay Officials
Less Not
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable Knowledgeable
Statement
(3)
(2) (1)
1. 7 1 1
2. 8 1 0
3. 9 0 0
4. 6 2 1
5. 8 0 1
6. 8 0 1
7. 9 0 0
8. 9 0 0
9. 7 1 1
10. 8 1 0
11. (1 respondent did not answer)

4 0 4
Barangay
officials
Statements about Mendicancy or Beggary
WM QV
1. Persons soliciting donations are considered mendicants. 2.67 K
2. Helping and giving alms to mendicants is punishable by law. 2.89 K
3. The public should contribute only to lawful fund raising projects 3 K

and be prevented from giving alms.
4. The Department of Health provides the necessary measures in meeting 2.56 K
the health needs of mendicants.
5. Persons who are 18 years of age, physically able to work and engage 2.78 K
in beggary are penalized under the law.
6. Parents or guardians who exploit their children or use them as front 2.78 K
for begging are penalized under the law.
7. Neglected children who are found begging age 9 to 15 years old are
3 K
committed to the custody and care of the City Social Welfare and
Development office.
8. Persons who are found begging and are physically or mentally 3 K
incapable of gainful occupation shall be properly endorsed to the
Appendix F
114
City Social Welfare and Development office for appropriate action.

9.Mendicants upon conviction, are punished by a fine not exceeding
2.67 K
P500.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years or
both at the discretion of the court.
10. A habitual mendicant shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P1,
2.89 K
000.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 4 years or both
11. Any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms directly to
1.78 LK
mendicants, exploited infants and minors on public roads, sidewalks,
parks and bridges are punished by a fine not exceeding P20.00.
Legend: WM – Weighted Mean; QV – Quantitative Value
A. Businesspeople
INDICATORS Yes No
1. (4 respondents did not answer) 47 56
2. (1 did not respond) 41 65
4. 75 32
5. 72 35
6. 74 33
10. 73 34
11. 69 38
Businesspeople
Indicators Yes No
f % f %
1. Business establishment do not entertain beggars. (4 no
47 43.93 56 52.34
response - 3.73%)
2. The business owners and employees discourage customers
41 38.32 65 60.75
from giving alms to the beggars. (1 no response- 0.93)
coordinate with each other in implementing the Anti- 81 75.70 25 23.36
Mendicancy Law. (1 no response- 0.94)
4. The Barangay officials perform the necessary information
75 70.09 32 29.91
dissemination about the Anti- Mendicancy Law.
72 67.29 35 32.71
6. The assistance of the Barangay officials specifically
the Barangay tanods are accessible to the business 74 69.16 33 30.84
establishment.
64 59.81 42 39.25
mendicants. (1 no response- 0.94)
67 62.62 39 36.44
strict but humane. (1 no response- 0.94)
9. Those who give alms are also apprehended by the Barangay
56 52.34 49 45.79
officials. (2 no response- 1.87)
10. The barangay officials frequently conduct patrols along
73 68.22 34 31.78
session road
69 64.49 38 35.51
Legend: f – Frequency; % - Percentage
B. Barangay Officials
Appendix F
115
STATEMENT Yes No
1. Business establishment do not entertain beggars. (2 respondents – no

5 2
response)
2. The business owners and employees discourage customers from giving alms
6 3
to the beggars.
3. Both business establishments and Barangay officials coordinate with

6 3
each other in implementing the Anti- Mendicancy Law.
4. The Barangay officials perform the necessary information dissemination

7 2
about the Anti- Mendicancy Law.
5. The Barangay officials regularly remind businesses to comply with the

5 4
Anti-Mendicancy Law.
6. The assistance of the Barangay officials specifically the Barangay

6 3
tanods are accessible to the business establishment.
7. The barangay officials have actually apprehended mendicants. (1 no

8 1
response)
8. The way Barangay officials apprehend mendicants are strict but humane. 7 2
9. Those who give alms are also apprehended by the Barangay officials. 6 3
10. The barangay officials frequently conduct patrols along session road 4 5
11. The presence of the Barangay officials lessened the number of

4 5
mendicants.
Barangay Officials
Indicators Yes No
f % f %
1. Business establishment do not entertain beggars. (2
5 55.56 2 22.22
respondents - no answer)
2. The business owners and employees discourage 6 66.67 3 33.33
coordinate with each other in implementing the Anti- 6 66.67 3 33.33
Mendicancy Law.
4. The Barangay officials perform the necessary
7 77.78 2 22.22
information dissemination about the Anti- Mendicancy Law.
5 55.56 4 44.44
6. The assistance of the Barangay officials specifically
the Barangay tanods are accessible to the business 6 66.67 3 33.33
establishment.
8 88.89 1 11.11
mendicants.
7 77.78 2 22.22
strict but humane.
9. Those who give alms are also apprehended by the
6 66.67 3 33.33
Barangay officials.
10. The barangay officials frequently conduct patrols
4 44.44 5 55.56
along session road
4 44.44 5 55.56
Legend: f – Frequency; % - Percentage
Appendix G
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEWS
A. Businesspeople (8 interviewees)
Interview No.1
Interviewer: Are you aware of the existing the law to prohibit mendicants?
Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: Have you observe how the barangay actually implement the law?
Interviewee: No, I haven’t observed.
Interviewer: Do you know who are involved in its implementation?
Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: How and to what extent does this impact the people?
Interviewee: I actually don’t know.
Interviewer: What are the underlying punishments if one violates and/or does not adhere to
the said ordinance in the city?
Interviewee: Imprisonment.
Interviewer: Who collects the penalties for violators of the measure?
Interviewee: I don’t know.
Interviewer: Do these penalties significantly lessen the violators and most especially the
mendicants?
Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: How often do you see mendicants in the streets begging?

Interviewee: Less right now, compare to before, it’s less.
Interviewer: Why do you think it’s less?
Interviewee: Because of the pandemic.
Interviewer: As part of the private sector or Barangay officials, how do you respond to
the mendicants?
Interviewee: Quite rude sometimes, like my grandmother experience beggars begging for
money from the customers although the customers ignore them they are bother and my
grandmother is angry about it.
Interviewer: If a mendicant setting up in front of your establishment, which of the
following would you do? (a)Ask nicely to leave the vicinity; (b) Contact the nearest law
enforcement or Barangay Session Road for assistance; (c) Give alms and ask them to leave;
(d) Leave them be.
Interviewee: A. (Ask nicely to leave the vicinity)
Interviewer: With your answer, can you elaborate why you did it? What can you say about
why would mendicant choose your establishment to set up there?
Interviewee: Probably because it’s well-known establishment for mendicants to set up shop.
Interviewer: Do you believe the mendicant will hamper your business operation or the
appeal of your establishment?
Interviewee: Yes.
Interviewer: And that is all. Thank you.
Interview No. 2
Interviewer: Ah do you want in Filipino or in English?
Interviewee: I prefer Tagalog
Interviewer: Do you know the law about Anti-Mendicancy law?

Interviewee: Uhm not yet.
Interviewer: So, the Anti-Mendicancy law is the one that prohibits people begging money in
public as well as those people who give them money as well, do you see barangay officials
roaming around session road to get rid of those mendicants?
Interviewee: Actually I haven’t seen one.
Interviewer: So do you know anyone from the barangay officials or in terms of face that
you can recognize?
Interviewee: Yes po, Just a moment.
Appendix G
117
Interviewer: Ah okay sure.

Interviewer: So do you know about the punishments?
Interviewee: No po.
Interviewer: You do not know those people collecting solicitations as well?
Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: Do you think that this law will lessen those mendicants as well those people
who are giving them money?
Interviewee: Ah I’m not sure.
Interviewer: How often do you see these mendicants along session road?
Interviewee: Every day.
Interviewer: How many of them?
Interviewee: Uhm Elders if not kids you can see them outside every morning specially when
people go up to cathedral.
Interviewer: What can you say about them?
Interviewee: Well they look pitiful especially when you take a look at their situation.
Interviewer: What if someone would beg in front of your establishment what would you do?
Interviewee: Actually I haven’t encounter such you can just really see them in cathedral.
Interviewer: Ah Thank you po.
Interview No. 3
Interviewer: Do you know the Anti-Mendicancy law?

Interviewee: No
Interviewer: Do you see some barangay officials roaming around to get rid of the
mendicants?
Interviewee: POSD only.
Interviewer: Do you know who implements it rather than the POSD?
Interviewee: It is the only thing we know, one time they removed our displays (goods) in
front of the store.
Interviewer: Do you know some punishments for those who violate it?
Interviewee: Punishment? For example if they caught your items?
Interviewer: No if they caught the person who gave money.
Interviewer: So you also don’t know those who collect penalties?
Interviewee: No as well.
Interviewer: Do you think that this law would lessen the mendicants as well as those who
give them money?
Interviewee: For me? No
Interviewer: No as well, Have you seen these mendicants before in Session road?
Interviewee: Yes, most of them are in center mall, in session road I only see few of them.
Interviewer: Uhm what do you feel when you see these mendicants?
Interviewee: What I feel?
Interviewee: I really don’t know because some of them are really pitiful to look at while
some are just pretending to be one.
Interviewer: If someone would set-up in here and beg what would you do?
Interviewee: Well we will give them.
Interviewer: So you would give them for them to leave and not to get rid of them without
giving anything?
Interviewee: No, because some of them are assertive especially the elders they really
would grab you.
Interviewer: Ah they would grab you off if you will not give them, okay thank you po.
Interview No. 4
Interviewer: Do you know about the law?

Interviewee: I know I’ve searched about it but, that is the Anti-Mendicancy right?
Interviewer: Have you seen barangay officials roaming around to remove the…
Interviewee: None as of now.
Interviewer: Do you who enforce it?
Interviewee: National Government to local government?
Interviewer: No just local
Appendix G
118
Interviewee: I don’t have any idea here in Baguio, sorry

Interviewer: But was it already implemented?
Interviewee: I don’t think so
Interviewer: I don’t see any of it nor read about it in the news.
Interviewer: So you know the punishments?
Interviewee: Of?
Interviewer: Let’s say someone gave something to a mendicant, do you know the punishments
for it?
Interviewee: Not really.
Interviewer: Uhm do you know who collects...
Interviewee: Solicit? Well I give some for those come in here, like for this case or if
someone gives a letter.
Interviewer: So this law, do you think it will lessen the mendicants?
Interviewee: Maybe
Interviewer: Maybe, so how often do you see mendicants when you walk through session road?
Interviewee: Only few I guess, only the elderly ones
Interviewer: If you see a mendicant what will you feel?
Interviewee: I pity them, there are some who they think are pretending for others they
will only laugh at it but you can really see it sometimes on the physical aspect.
Interviewer: If there is a beggar asking for you in front of your establishment what will
you do?
Interviewee: Depends
Interviewer: Will you give or you will ask for it to leave?
Interviewee: I’ll just give some
Interviewer: Okay that’s it thank you.
Interview No. 5
Interviewer: Are you familiar with the law even just before I said it to you?
Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: By any chance, have you seen some barangay officials who monitor and dismiss
these mendicants?
Interviewee: No. None really.
Interviewer: Do you know the people who implement this?
Interviewee: We don't know as well.
Interviewer: Are you affected by those mendicants?
Interviewee: Yes, because we don't want to be perceived or seen as someone who's rude.
Well, you give if you want to give. But for people like me who's quite stingy, I tend to
think they don't deserve to be given alms because they have all the capabilities to find
for a decent job.
Interviewer: Do you know any of the punishments not for the mendicants but for the people
who give alms to these people?
Interviewee: No. I have no idea about it.
Interviewer: Usually, the mendicants are just being shooed away and those who give alms
are the ones who are being caught and/or taken away by the authority.
Interviewee: I see.
Interviewer: Do you know those who collect penalties?
Interviewee: No. Who are they?
Interviewer: I think the city treasurer and the police.
Interviewer: Do you agree that this law is effective and/or lessens the number of
mendicants as well as those who give alms?
Interviewee: I couldn't distinguish the difference. When was this implemented?
Interviewer: Since Marcos regime.
Interviewee: I don't know because in my age I think that there's no improvement. A lot of
mendicants are still evident.
Interviewer: Do you encounter mendicants around Session Road?

Interviewee: Indeed, there are a lot of them here. Some even enter the establishment,
distract us and they could even be stubborn at times. Actually, I'm quite surprised that
the said law was implemented all the way from Marcos era for I experienced no change at
all.
Interviewer: That's all for the interview. Thank you!
Interview No. 6
Appendix G
119
Interviewer: So before what Anti-Mendicancy law is all about, are you aware of it already?
Interviewee: Yes.
Interviewer: Have you seen some barangay officials who monitor and dismiss these
mendicants?
Interviewee: We see nothing.
Interviewer: Do you know who the barangay officials here are in Session Road?
Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: Do you know those who implement and/or enforce the said law?
Interviewee: Apologies, we are just sales clerk here.
Interviewer: OK. Do you know any of the punishments?
Interviewee: We are not aware of it especially its consequences for us, ourselves, haven't
experienced any it yet.
Interviewer: Do you know who those in-charge of collecting penalty fee are?
Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: Do you think that this law is effective or somehow lessens the number of
mendicants in the area?
Interviewee: Not at all.
Interviewer: Do you see mendicants around Session in a daily basis?

Interviewee: Yes.
Interviewer: What do you usually do when you encounter mendicants?
Interviewee: We feel pity for those of old age but not the younger ones. We don't give
alms for those who we consider capable of doing some work still. But whenever we do, we
usually give fruits and not money.
Interviewer: Why do you do it?
Interviewee: For them to leave.
Interview No. 7
Interviewer: Are you aware of the law which prohibits mendicancy?

Interviewee: No, we are not aware until you mentioned it.
Interviewer: By any chance, have you seen some barangay officials who monitor and dismiss
these mendicants?
Interviewee: No. They just let them.
Interviewer: Do you know who enforce the said law?
Interviewee: I don't know. I'm not even aware that there are such things.
Interviewer: Do you know the punishments given to those who give alms to the mendicants?
Interviewee: No. Is that even bad when they are just sharing in the first place?
Interviewer: According to the law, yes. Next question, do you know who are those in-charge
of collecting penalty fee?
Interviewee: Maybe their head.
Interviewer: Do these penalties significantly lessen the violators?
Interviewee: In a way, maybe.
Interviewer: Do you see the mendicants in this area every day?

Interviewee: No. They usually go from one place to another.
Interviewer: How do you respond to the mendicants?
Interviewee: Whenever they walk by, we give them the coins we have.
Interviewer: What do you usually do when someone sets up in front of your workplace?
Interviewee: None because we know that they do it for a living.
Interview No. 8
Interviewer: Are you aware of the Anti-Mendicancy law?

Interviewee: No.
Interviewer: The said law prohibits mendicants as well as those who give alms.
Interviewee: I see. But for me, there's nothing wrong on giving alms to those who are in
need.
Interviewer: Have you seen some barangay officials who monitor and dismiss these
mendicants?
Appendix G
120
Interviewee: No, I haven't seen any of them.

Interviewer: Do you know who the barangay officials here are?
Interviewee: I don't exactly know their names but I could recognize that they are from the
barangay whenever they visit around here.
Interviewer: Do you know the ones who enforce the said law?
Interviewee: No. I don't know them.
Interviewer: Do you know the punishments regarding this?
Interviewee: I don't have any idea as well.
Interviewer: Next question, do you know who are those in-charge of collecting penalty fee?
Interviewee: I don't specifically know who they are but I think they are the ones who
penalize people who give alms without even giving them a warning.
Interviewer: Do these penalties significantly lessen the violators?
Interviewee: I don't think so.
Interviewer: Are there many of them (mendicants) who usually go here?

Interviewee: Oftentimes, there are many of them.
Interviewer: What do you feel about them?
Interviewee: I feel pity for them.
Interviewer: What do you usually do when someone sets up in front of your workplace and/or
the establishment?
Interviewee: We give alms. Usually, they go away after that.
B. Barangay Officials, DSWD Official and BCPO Officer
Officer No. 1 (from Brgy. Session Road)
Officer: We keep on telling their children about what their parents are engaged to
(mendicancy). However, according to them, they couldn't stop what their parents are doing
since they are hard-headed. We (barangay officials) have nothing to do with it as well for
they keep on doing it anyway even if we restrict them.
Interviewer: Does it mean that whenever the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) takes these mendicants, they also release them eventually?
Officer: Yes, they send them home and the DSWD talks to these mendicants' children about
their concern.
Interviewer: Don't they (DSWD) give any financial assistance to these mendicants with
their families?
Officer: How could they when these mendicants are rich in the first place? They have huge
houses and piggery with them. Their children are even professionals.
Interviewer: Then what's the reason that they beg?
Officer: Maybe because they are bored and they don't have something else to do with their
lives. That's what they usually say when I interview them.
Interviewer: So meaning, they do it as their pastime?
Officer: Yes, that's it. They just have nothing to do. Actually, we couldn't force them to
leave what they are doing or to leave the place. If only we have homes like home for the
aged where we can put them, for them to be taken care off. However, there's none
available.
Interviewer: Do they have any accompany in their homes?
Officer: Yes, there are. Their children, their families are with them.
Interviewer: So their children are just letting them do it?
Officer: Yes, as I've told you a while ago, the DSWD takes and releases them - just like a
process that's being repeated over and over again.
Interviewer: How about the blind people (mendicants)?

Appendix G
121
Officer: Someone accompanies them, they drop them off or leave them in a specific spot and
at the end of the day someone will come to pick them up, like they are being taken care-
off by a syndicate.
Interviewer: What do business owners do in such kind of situations and/or whenever they
encounter these mendicants?
Officer: Actually, we made posters against Anti-Mendicancy saying that whoever we caught
giving alms to these mendicants will be somewhat arrested.
Interviewer: Who are those in-charge of monitoring the establishments especially the
situation?
Officer: I do the monitoring together with the help of the officials.
Interviewer: How do you act in such situation?
Officer: We tell them to not give alms of any sort with the hope of eradicating
mendicancy.
Interviewer: How about the passersby?
Officer: We tell them all.
Interviewer: That's one of my concerns since most of the passersby in Session Road tend to
give alms to those mendicants. It's concerning because really, as they put it, there
wouldn't be mendicants if only the passersby or the people learn to not practice giving
alms to them.
Officer: Exactly, that's our motto. If there wouldn't be people who give alms, then
probably there wouldn't be mendicants in the area or elsewhere. Problem is, there is still
a lot of them. We are not able of monitoring them for 24 hours as well.
Interviewer: Do you give punishments to those who were caught giving alms? If yes, what
are these?
Officer: None, we just warn them to not do it again.
Interviewer: How about the mendicants?
Officer: We just turn them away and turn-over them to DSWD.
Interviewer: However, as you said, the DSWD releases them eventually that's why they keep
on coming back and repeating their same old activity anyway. Going back, how about those
who give alms, what are your major punishments to them especially to those who aren't
listening?
Officer: None since most of them listen anyway.
Interviewer: But is there any ordinance, like for example for those people who'd insist to
give alms?
Officer: We have a rule in the barangay saying that mendicancy isn't allowed, that anyone
is prohibited from giving alms to mendicants. We created posters about this however some
of them were removed due to constructions taking place.
Interviewer: But is there a memo that prohibits the establishments from allowing
mendicants to enter their properties?
Officer: We couldn't avoid such instances because some mendicants are still able to sneak
within the area. But the establishments were given enough instructions to not let them in
and to shoo them away.
Interviewer: Do you have any written or video records with regard to this mendicancy?
Officer: None, because they might sue us. We must ensure as well their privacy despite it.
Interviewer: I see, because of course of the privacy law.

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Officer: However, some of those that perform along the streets ask for permission/permits
for us to allow them.
Interviewer: What's the hardest part your job in implementing this Anti-Mendicancy?
Officer: It's when they throw things on us or hit us with something.
Interviewer: Okay, when they become violent. But are there times wherein some of you were
really hurt because of their actions?
Officer: Yes. I, myself, experience it. It is when they threw something on me. They even
included my vehicle.
Interviewer: What do you usually do after when that happens?
Officer: We call for help from the DSWSD and the police.
Interviewer: So it would be all in with the barangay, DSWD and the police. OK, thank you,
Sir!
Officer No. 2 (from Brgy. Session Road)
Interviewer: Do you know about the Anti-Mendicancy Law?

Officer: Yes, we were informed about it by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).
Interviewer: Do you know what the barangay of Session Road is doing about it?
Officer: We oftentimes talk to the mendicants and restrict them about what they are doing.
Interviewer: Apart from the barangay Session Road, who else implements the said law?
Officer: Other barangays implement it as well with the help of business owners.
Interviewer: Do you know the punishments with regard to this Anti-Mendicancy law?
Officer: No. We weren't given the list of punishments of any sort.
Interviewer: What about the punishments given to those who were caught giving alms?
Officer: They would be penalized through a fine. But of course, we must take in
consideration that this situation is quite inevitable since there would always be those
people who are soft-hearted in which they love to share whatever blessings they have to
those mendicants.
Interviewer: Who are those in-charge of collecting the penalty fee?
Officer: The city government.
Interviewer: Do you think the said punishment helps lessen the number of violators with
regard to this Anti-Mendicancy law?
Officer: Yes, it somehow lessens but not totally eradicates the violators especially when
they are afraid to be penalized again but we give due consideration also to those who
justify what they did.
Interviewer: How do you monitor the mendicants and a keep a record of those who are what
they call "seasonal beggars"?
Officer: Actually, what they often do is that they are just changing places once you warn
them. But sooner or later, they will just come back. Good thing is that they were less
with this pandemic.
Interviewer: Are you coordinating with the business establishments regarding this matter?
Officer: Yes. We tell them about it, for them to not allow the mendicants within their
place because they somehow serves as distractions as well to the customers and passersby.
Interviewer: How about the street-performers? Those who play with their instruments and
the like, do you consider them as mendicants?
Officer: Yes because they make things to attract people and for them to eventually give
them monetary.
Interviewer: What are the challenges you encounter in implementing this Anti-Mendicancy
Law?
Officer: I guess it's the pity that comes along with our job whenever we prohibit these
mendicants to do such because some of them are really lacking attention and love from
their family. They feel unwanted and that's the reason why they most likely resort into
such activities.
Officer No. 3 (from BCPO)

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Interviewer: So for the first part which would be gauging your knowledge about the
provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law. Umm, question number one, Who are involved in the
implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law? Specifically, who are the officials that you
usually interact in when you are rescuing the mendicants?
Officer: Okay. The city government created an Anti-Mendicancy Task Force who is chaired by
the City Social Welfare and Development Officer. Member are the City Council Social
Services, Women and Urban poor, Health officer, the 128 barangay of City of Baguio, Baguio
City Police Office and other public safety and order division under the Mayor’s Office.
Interviewer: How does this impact the people especially the pedestrians in Session Road?
Officer: Inter-agency Task Force is very effective. We, the officers, cannot implement
ordinances alone. We need the help of other, of our community, other public safety and
order division under the Mayor’s Office so that we can work hand and hand in the
implementation of this city ordinance
Interviewer: For the next question, What are the underlying punishments if one violates or
does not adhere to the said ordinance in the city?
Officer: Under again the city ordinance, mendicants, 18 years old and above shall be
penalize with the fine of 500 [pesos] for the first offense, 1,000 [pesos] for the second
offense, and 1,500 [pesos] fine and two months imprisonment for the third or succeeding
offense. When the mendicants are minors we will apply the provisions under the IRR 1945.
Interviewer: Who collects the penalty for the violators of the said law?
Officer: Any violations of the city ordinances will be collected at the city treasurer’s
office.
Interviewer: Do you think these penalties significantly lessen the violators and most
especially the mendicants?
Officer: I think so. Because if you will not implement penalties, you will just keep on
reminding them of the ordinance and they would keep on doing the same.
Interviewer: So for the next part, this will be the partnership of the social workers,
police and the barangay officials. Before we got in here, we actually interviewed the
acting Barangay Caption in the Session Road. In line with this, how do the BCPO monitor
and keep their records of permanent and seasonal beggars?
Officer: Every cases we handled, we have the police blotter. When it comes to the… when
the offenders are minors, we have the WCPD (Women and Children Protection Desk) office who
will take charge of the records.
Interviewer: Ma’am, do you have a digital record for these important documents?
Officer: Digital? What do you mean digital?
Interviewer: Instead of just recording in the traditional- (interrupted)
Officer: We have our own bookwork, master table regarding all the cases we handle and
violation of city ordinances are included in this report.
Interviewer: How does this help in coordinating with the barangay officials?
Officer: You see here, if you keep records, it is easier to track them and you compare the
records with the social services and the Barangay. It easier to track down who are the
repeat offenders.
Interviewer: For the seasonal beggars, what do the BCPO usually do? Like the Badjaos who
travel here in Baguio to ask for alms?
Officer: They are usually escorted out the city for free or if they can, they pay for
their own fare. Due to humanitarian reasons, we only help them to go back to their home
instead of imprisoning them or collecting the penalty fees. They don’t have the money
that’s why they come here to beg.
Interviewer: For the next question, Street performers who ask for donations can sometimes
be seen in Session Road. Are they considered as mendicants?
Officer: As the definition says, mendicants are any persons who has no feasible and legal
means of support or lawful employment who is typically able to work but neglects to apply
himself and instead uses begging as means of living. If they fall under this definition,
they would be considered as mendicants. Those persons with disabilities who do music
performances are considered mendicants and are turnover to the CSWD for counseling.
Interviewer: For the third question, what are the challenges that the police officers
encounter in implementing the Anti- Mendicancy Law?
Officer: A lot of the... Since the mendicants repeatedly come back, that is the challenge.
Now, we did the intervention. After a week or so they (mendicants) would return again.
They will be taken to custody again. So the last remedy is to return them to their home
residence. They (Badjaos) are being escorted back sometimes even as far as Subic where
they usually are from. They are transported back using the vehicles of the city.
Interviewer: Are there any incidents that the mendicants were violent against the
officials?
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Officer: It is really hard to implement the penalty because the mendicants don’t have
money. So we usually turn them over to the social workers who can help them? Were you able
to interview them (social workers)?
Interviewer: We are going to interview them next.
Officer: Ah okay. They have programs for them. So that our role, to escort them back to
their hometown. Can you understand Ilocano?
Interviewer: Yes ma’am.
Officer: They’ll be escorted but sometimes they return again in the city. For humanitarian
reasons, we cannot really imprison or fine. If police officers approach them, some
mendicants don’t listen but they listen to the social workers. Maybe because they
distribute food packs. That’s the challenge of this (implementation). We (police) are
still human.
Interviewer: So are there any interventions you were able to do in response to the
challenges you experience?
Officer: When they get caught, we escort them back. Then, they would return and we will
transport them back again since they don’t have anywhere to stay here. Automatically, they
will go to the social welfare office. And then when they are released, they are escorted
back. Then, their routine would again be repeated. So the main action in there is to
escort and transport them back. So at least they could farm and plant in their hometown.
We transport them by batch after they are capture. Hopefully, they get tired of going in
here and being sent back to their hometown. Then there was the ECQ (Enhanced Community
Quarantine) so they had no means to travel. Let’s see again after all this pandemic events
if they will return. At least transporting they have effectively discourage them to go
here.
Interviewer: So the BCPO really need to maximize their patience to them. The police needs
long patience with them.
Officer: Yes, that’s why we are trained of maximum tolerance. Furthermore, if we force
them, they might fight back. The police would only be exhausted. Anyway, the programs for
them are with the CSWD which is the main actor of the Anti-Mendicancy ordinance. That’s
why the chairperson is them.
Interviewer: So, that’s the end of the interview. Thank you very much for your time. We
assure you that everything you said is purely for academic purposes only.
Officer No. 4 (from CSWDO)
Interviewer: So for the first part, it would be actually about the knowledge of the
officer about the Anti-Mendicancy Law. So number one, who are involved in the
implementation of the Anti-Mendicancy Law?
Officer: So in the City of Baguio, we have an Anti-Mendicancy task force created by the
city. It is participated by the different stakeholders. Number one is the Social Welfare
Office, the Baguio City Jail Office, BGC (Baguio General Hospital) Psychiatric department
specifically, PIO (Public Information Office) who is mainly in charge of information
dissemination about the implementation of the law. We also have DTI (Department of Trade
and Industry), DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), DSWD (Department of Social
Welfare and Development) regional office and transport groups and even the Baguio City
Jail.
Interviewer: So how and to what extent does this impact the people specifically the
pedestrians in Session Road?
Officer: For example, we have this case where we apprehended one mendicant. The police
will do the apprehension, refer to our office for the proper intervention like we
interview them, we gather information about their lives and then we also ask the reasons
why they beg. That’s the time, if they are from Baguio City, we formulate plans for them
together with their own families and barangay officials so that we prevent them from going
back like we provide services for them and their families. But for those who are not
Baguio residents, that’s the time when we refer them to the concern LGUs like for example
those from La Trinidad, we refer them there. The intervention would also be there with
their social workers. For example, the mendicant needs livelihood. We could refer them to
agencies offering livelihood programs like DTI, DOLE, DSWD and even our office (CSWD). We
have a self-employment assistance. If they are in need of immediate medical attention, we
refer them to BGH for the proper interventions. After that, we coordinate with the social
workers who take their information about their family so we know where to send the
mendicant home after the treatment.
Interviewer: So number two, what are the underlying punishments if one violates or does
not adhere to the said ordinance in the city?
Officer: In our Anti-Mendicancy Law which was crafted at the time of President Marcos, it
actually has a provisions about detention. However, in the city, we don’t apply that
practice because of humanitarian reasons. The person is begging because they have no money
for food so instead of putting in jail or fining them of certain amount, we just provide
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orientation and lecture about Anti-Mendicancy Law. We strengthen our advocacy on the
“Bawal Mamalimos, Bawal Magpalimos”. And then we work with different agencies to at least
provide assistance to these people. Actually years back, there were a lot of mendicants
who were persons with disability (PWD). But the office and other agencies provided them
skills training, livelihood and we refer them to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
(4Ps). At least, some mendicants are able to find self-employment. Other mendicants who
are visually-impaired have undergone series of programs or training under our office like
massage while those who are hearing-impaired learn cooking. So they were able to establish
their own massage clinic that’s why they already have a source of income. They even pay
their own SSS, PhilHealth as they become employers of their fellow PWDs. But for the
others who are really vagrants, we work with their own families. We provide information
about the illness of the vagrants aside from what BGH is providing them. Of course, on the
process of medical aspect, the psychiatrist and social workers explain to the family
member the conditions of the mendicants. So what are the things that they can do? We
explain things like the continuous follow-up of the family member about them, if they are
needed to be brought to the hospital, if it they need the intake of the medications.
That’s what we explain to them.
Interviewer: Ma’am, does this include those mendicants who are elderly that are not
supervised by their children? Because when we talked to the Acting Barangay Captain in
Session Road, that was the problem. They talk to the children who are professionals
because they are not, like, looking after their parents that why they are begging.
Officer: With those we have encountered, while others belong to well-to-do families, the
dilemma here is that it became a habit for senior citizens to go out every day to work.
But then, like in one case, the senior citizen was diagnosed with dementia that why the
children cannot really watch over their parents since they also go out to work. When the
children are gone, their mother will go out. They will only look for her after they return
home from work. There are others who, because of such similar scenario, got tired of it or
run out of means how they could help their family members. Others also transfer their
relatives to other areas like for example, if I am from Pangasinan or Mt. Province, we
change the environment of the person. This other case we encountered is a mendicant from
La Trinidad but her/his siblings have their own families. So the person is with her/his
senior citizen parent. So the senior citizen cannot take care of her/him. That’s why every
day, the mendicant travel to Baguio. So it was a suggestion during the case conference
that the person should be transferred to a new environment because she/he got used to it
and knows the route to Baguio. For instance, Km 5 to Baguio, the mendicant already know
unlike when they transfer her/him somewhere in Puguis, for some times she/he did not
return. This is because the routine of the mendicants of going to Baguio was gone. And
when we interviewed her/him, the money being obtained is just to buy herself/himself of
simple bread which is actually being provided by the family but since she/he is not in the
right mental age, it seems like her/his child self is returning. The mendicant wants money
to buy the candy she/he likes or bread. So it’s not only the PWDs but also these people.
Although, there are others who run out of means or patience, in other words, especially
those belonging within the poverty line who need to work everyday to be able to eat.
Because they are not able to sustain the medical needs of their family member. They don’t
have the capability to confine them an institution. They are the ones with high chances to
be seen along the street. Other mendicants are actually from outside Baguio city. Usually
before, those we cannot locate are really from outside Baguio city. We also don’t know how
they were able to reach here. The recent case I handled is the one sleeping in the Post
Office, a hostile woman. She suddenly appeared there one day in the post office. So she
was losing herself and she just stayed there. When they drive her away from the post
office, she always return back again. We discovered that she really did not have anywhere
to go because she went out of their house, travelled and arrived in here. So history tells
as that she is already in that condition for a long time. She is always returned to
Pangasinan but she always leave. That’s why the family members might be used to her being
gone. So maybe because of the pandemic, they weren’t able to look for her.
Interviewer: So number three, who collects the penalties for violators of the said law?
Officer: So far, during my 12 years in social welfare office, nobody was apprehended and
fined for that violation, Anti-Mendicancy. As I’ve mentioned earlier, we do not provide
fines or any imprisonment. Not unless they will be found out that they are using these
people to beg on the street, like in a syndicate. Maybe if there is something like that,
they will be the ones to be fined. But for the mendicants themselves, I haven’t seen
anyone like that. Except in a case where we have to threaten them since there was, in a
way, trafficking in the case of the Badjaos. That’s why we brought the child to Silungan
Center where we process the information about them only to find out that she was only with
his aunt, not his parents. But when we interview them, with the limited information they
give us, they only insist that is their child. But when we saw that the child was being
neglected and becoming sick, we took custody already. The center took care of the child,
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provide medical treatment. This when the adult Badjao accompanying him said that she was
just a relative and she took him from his parents in Mindanao. So after treatment, we also
help him to go to school which gave tutorial classes for him to cope up since he does not
know the basics of reading and writing. After coordinating with the social welfare of
Mindanao, finally he was sent back home. But the adult Badjao who was with him, we weren’t
able to file against her because we did not have enough evidence to prove her identity
since they don’t have IDs. And we they talk, they can only speak in their own dialect.
III. Ways by which the Private Sector and the Barangay Officials Address Mendicancy
Interviewer: For the next part, the ways by which the officers actually help the barangay
officials in implementing the said law. So how do the CSWDO monitor and keep the records
of permanent and seasonal beggars?
Officer: So the management of that is through the coordination of the whole task force.
Like what happen last… So last February 5, our team was in Barangay Kabayanihan with the
police, POSD and even PIDAW (persons with disability affairs) officer. Because during our
round-up with the barangay, we could really observe that 80 percent of them (mendicants)
were PWDs. So we involved Sir Samuel Aquino in behalf of PWDs in the city if they have
programs or recommend any ideas when it comes to the management of this. We conduct some
round-up when the barangay really exert efforts but they cannot really handle them. As the
Barangay Captain have said, “I already talk to them, I interview them but they really
don’t want to tell the truth.” There was another one who said to me, “Come here and let’s
just sit.” Another one said, “What will I feed my children?” With that, we conducted a
meeting with all the agencies to coordinate to be able to give proper intervention to
these mendicants. During that time, after gathering seven mendicants, six are PWDs and one
senior citizen, in the PNB area. So we gathered them near the Cathedral. We conducted an
information dissemination regarding our Anti-Mendicancy law and even then existing health
protocol that we are implementing since it was also observed that they were not wearing
proper PPEs. It’s either they don’t have mask or they don’t have face shield. BCPO
conducted a lecture about that so that they will be oriented and at the same time be
informed about the Anti-road obstruction. Since by merely staying in the sidewalk where
pedestrians are traversing, they already cause obstruction especially that we are
implementing the health protocols, at least there is social distancing and crowding is
prohibited. So it is needed that the sidewalk free from any obstruction. And we also
conduct coordination with the Cathedral because a lot of the mendicants used to work there
because the Cathedral put up a massage center. So to help these massage therapists, the
agreement was that Cathedral will provide a space for livelihood and they will also
provide 500 pesos monthly, I think, and food packages as long as they don’t return to
begging. However, the remaining mendicants in the streets, they really did not comply with
conditions of the Church. So what’s the point of maintaining their livelihood, allowance
and food packs if after they get these food packs they again return to begging? They were
removed by the Church despite the chances given to them. If we would look at it, they are
those who are almost senior citizens. So what we did is to coordinate with the Health
Services Office and we endorse them for swab testing considering their exposure in our
environment. And they admitted that they have never been swabbed. The other mendicants
here actually have been our clients in the office. They are being assisted for the medical
assistance of their family members. They were also been subjected to counseling sessions.
However, maybe there is already a problem with their attitudes or their coping skills are
weak during this pandemic. The others, both (spouses/ parents) are PWDs so you could
really see their struggles. So far, I haven’t receive any message that there was someone
who turn positive. And they were also given food packages, at least they can take
something home for their family. These people will be referred to my fellow social workers
assigned per area. So for instance this one, we have a social worker in Irisan to conduct
follow up and to give other social services that they may
need. During this round up, what happen was only giving of their immediate needs. So they
(social workers per area) are the one who give further services needed by them. We have
social workers in Poliwes, Balabac, Bakakeng, in Trinidad who were instructed to not limit
the services on the first time. This one mendicant, I instructed to go to the DSWD since
he/she was from Trinidad, that’s the only time he/she went. The person did not go back for
follow-up since he/she is allowed to go back, maybe after three months to avail the
services again.
Interviewer: So the monitoring of them must be continuous?
Officer: Yes, continuous. However, there are those who are stubborn. Regardless of our
explanation especially in this time that it’s dangerous to go around the city careless
because of their exposure. And considering their age that they are already senior
citizens, they are really high risk. So it is really important to involve their families.
So that’s how the team works: coordination. Whatever we need, we should coordinate to
others. So the POSD also helped in the round up and escort them to go back to their
residences to ensure that they won’t go back. Now, we continue our monitoring like for
example this morning, I went and saw that there were no mendicants along Session Road
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around Porta Vaga. So next, we would inspect near the overpass around the area since there
might be new mendicants in there.
Interviewer: So what were the challenges that the social workers/police officers encounter
in implementing the Anti- Mendicancy Law?
Officer: Challenges are attitudinal. In other words, they are not willing to help
themselves that even though we have available resources. The others were able to take the
opportunity skills training, livelihood programs and succeeded, why cannot they do the
same? Other mendicants lack patience. For example, those who became massage therapists,
one or two day, it is natural that they don’t have earning every day. After one or two
days without earnings, they return to begging in the streets. At least in begging, every
day they can earn money. So they separate from their groups. While others do not want to
return to their old lifestyle so they work hard. But the other mendicants who are not
patient, maybe the others are also lacking the skills or massage is not for them, they
need to find another way to earn. Others also don’t have the initiative. So the other
aspect is the lack of continuity of the services or comprehensive services that can be
offered to them by the government. Unlike in other provinces, they actually offer
livelihood packages. Like for example, you want to establish your own “karinderia”, they
will give everything including your permit, they help you process document and even give
you cooking materials. Those who want to own a “kalesa”, they give it to them. In our
case, we have limited resources. Although if the agencies is capable, they can still
provide their needs. From that, we really need the cooperation of our constituents who can
make advocacies about prohibition of giving alms which is a good way to help. Maybe
because of compassion, we would give them some changes but this is not actually helping
them. Mendicants would only get used to it and comfortable depending on alms knowing that
someone will give them money. That’s why some mendicants would reason out to us that they
earn more in begging than in massaging. In a day of being massage therapist, they can only
bring home 350 pesos and get tired while they can just sit on the street and earn more
money. So that’s it, we lack cooperation from the citizenry. When it comes to this
scenario, it is better, if they want to help, maybe they can do it in kind. If possible
they should give food. If it’s the money, they’ll get use to begging and we cannot be sure
where they spent that money on. Because there are cases were someone is begging then later
on we’ll see them drunk in the afternoon. We have encounter cases like that. It is better
to refer them to our office or the nearest police station.
Interviewer: Have you ever encountered those violent mendicants who don’t want to be
rescued?
Officer: Yes, there are cases like that. That is why if there are violent mendicants,
whether the police like it or not, they have to use force. We assure them that it won’t
leave a bad image to them because there is the coordination since there is resistance.
With these cases, we directly send them to hospital for attention. Because they won’t be
violent if you are in the right mind. Or there are those who becomes overacting. So they
try to grab the attention of people so they get sympathy. We inform the police about this
because they still need to apprehend them. Because that is the basic step, we get them
from the streets and give them proper intervention.
Interviewer: So how did the social workers address these challenges?
Officer: Number one is more patience. And then we should strengthen the coordination with
the other agencies. If the mendicants are diligent to go back to the streets, we should
also be diligent to rescue them. I think it worked with the Badjaos. Before, during peak
season of Baguio City, we could see them around the city. But as time pass, they can
already be seen in the city almost monthly. Even during the day of the dead, they are
here. They claim to be here to celebrate the fiesta of the dead. They are aware that there
are a lot of tourists here in that city that’s why they ask alms to them. But when we
continuously round them up, their numbers slowly decreased. According to the mendicants,
in other provinces, they are not going there since they know that they will be caught or
there are no one who is giving alms. That’s why they transfer to other cities. For
example, those Badjaos originally can only be seen somewhere in Zambales. However, why is
it that they suddenly are roaming in Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Baguio City? It is
because in Angeles where they came from, no one is giving alms. It has been a policy of
the city to not give them alms not unless they are actually making the effort in making a
livelihood to make products so we must patronize those to help them. So continuous
coordination even with the local governments, the LGUs. We coordinate with them so that
the mendicants receive adequate help. On our part, we enhance our knowledge about
networking where we can refer the people in need. Do we have available resources on this
hospital? Something like that. We must be quick to find solutions to the needs of the
person and picture where they could be referred. We need to know how to visualize because
if you stick with the things you know, it would be difficult to solve the problem.
Interviewer: So that end the interview. Thank you very much for your time, Ma’am. We will
learn a lot from your interview.
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Appendix H
OBSERVATIONS
Observation 1: Malcolm Square, Lower Session Road
January 29, 2021, 1:38 pm to 2:00 pm
 Knowledge about the provisions of the Anti-Mendicancy Law
 Behavior of passersby when responding to the questionnaire:

1. While conducting the survey and the respondents are answering the
questionnaires, the researchers encountered mendicants begging
2. The respondents ignored the beggars and not a single person gave an
alms.
3. Some passersby don’t want to answer the survey since they are not
familiar with the law.
 Ways by which the Private Sector and Barangay Officials Address Mendicancy
1. Barangay officials are not visible in Malcolm square where incidents of

begging are occurring
2. Generally, the passersby did not give a single centavo to the mendicants.
Observation 2: Sizzling Plate Steakhouse, Session Road
January 29, 2021, 2:48 pm to 3:08 pm
1. Barangay officials are not visible in the immediate vicinity of the

Sizzling Plate Steakhouse where the researchers are observing
2. The owner of the Steakhouse do not necessarily prohibit mendicant from
begging (or doesn’t notice her)
3. Generally, the passersby ignore the mendicant; the mendicant is not
forcing anyone to give alms; the mendicant is well dressed and does not
look like a beggar; after a while the mendicant moved to another place
(to lower session presumably)when no one was giving her in her spot.
4. One passerby (an old lady) gave some to the mendicant.
Observation 3: Solibao Restaurant Session Road
January 29, 2021, 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm
1. Barangay officials are not visible in the area of Solibao where some of
the researchers are located.
2. Some staff of the restaurant saw the mendicant outside their premises but
did not react on the activity of him.
3. Someone riding a car (presumably a social worker) gave a pack of rice of
about 5 kilos to the mendicant. After receiving it and since no one was
giving alms anymore the mendicant transferred up to the stairs of the Our
Lady of Atonement Cathedral (Baguio Cathedral) in between Solibao and Il
Padrino Cafe
Observation 4: Max’s Restaurant Session Road
January 29, 2021, 3:20 pm to 3:40 pm
1. Barangay officials are not visible in the area of Max’s where some of the
researchers are observing.
Appendix H
130
2. Even though the mendicant is clearly in front of the establishment, the

crew neither reacted nor bat an eye towards him.
3. There were five passersby who gave alms to the mendicant, however,
majority of pedestrian ignored the beggar.
Observation 5: Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral Steps
January 29, 2021, 3:50 pm to 4:20 pm
1. No barangay or church officials were observed monitoring the activities

of the mendicant
2. Generally, the passersby just ignored the mendicant sitting on the stairs
wearing a vest while playing the harmonica
3. Not a single passerby gave alms to the mendicant.
The observation data shall be used to corroborate the claims of the businesspeople
in the interview
Appendix I
PHOTOS OF BARANGAY SESSION ROAD
Anti-Mendicancy Poster
Note. The front gate of barangay Session Road where all
reminders about certain ordinances are posted. The green
poster on the right side of the gate is the poster of a
reminder regarding the Anti-Mendicancy Law.

Appendix I
132
Gate of the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral.
A beggar in front of a fast-food chain along Session Road.

Appendix I
133
Pedestrians traversing the Session Road.

CURRICULUM
VITAE
Ma. Florida A. Dela cruz

●21 years old●57 Barangay Honeymoon Int., Baguio City
●lori33yaze@gmail.com●09612501780
Educational Background:
 Finished Elementary at Don Mariano Marcos Elementary
School
 Graduated Junior High School at Magsaysay National High
School as one of the Top Achievers
 Graduated Senior High School in Humanities and Social
Sciences Strand at the University of the Cordilleras
(With High Honors)
 Currently studying Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
at the University of the Cordilleras
Accomplishments:
 Was able to join campus journalism in Junior High School
○ A contributor and an editorial writer in the school
Filipino and English newspaper
○ Awarded as the “Journalist of the Year” (2016)
 Was able to join literary and quiz competitions (e.g.
poetry and essay writing contest)
 Was the Secretary of the Political Science Society (S.Y.
2019 - 2020)
 Currently a Senator and Secretariat Committee Head of the
University Student Council
Curriculum Vitae
136
Job Experiences:
 SPES(Special Program for the Employment of Students):
○ A program by the national and local government for the
employment of students in different public offices during
holiday or summer break.
○ Was deployed in the Civil Registry Office (2016) and
Health Services Office (2017)
Skills and Abilities:

 Computer literate(able to operate in digital platforms
effectively)
 Can express ideas and opinions through writing and
speaking
○ Able to deliver speech or any type of oration properly
○ Has the knowledge in writing articles or text with
minimal errors
Curriculum Vitae
137
Jesse D. Guinanoy
●22 years old ●6068 Purok 6, Kias, Baguio City
●essejg8@gmail.com ●09279952413
 Finished Elementary at Fort del Pilar Elementary School
 Graduated Junior High School at Pines City National High
School – Special Program in Science
 Graduated Senior High School in Humanities and Social
Sciences Strand at the University of the Cordilleras
Accomplishments:
 Grade 10 Representative, Pines City National High School
Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (2015 –
2016)
 Sergeant at Arms, Fort del Pilar Elementary School
Supreme Pupil Government (2011 - 2012)

 Fast learner
 Able to work independently or as a member of a group
 Able to work on a limited time frame
 Computer literate
Curriculum Vitae
138
Arnold Christian M. Lozano

●24 years old●181 Purok 3, Central Fairview, Baguio City
●arnoldchristianlozano@gmail.com●09363594644
 Finished Elementary at Baguio Central School (with
honors)
 Graduated High School at Baguio City National High
School – Special Science Program
 Took up BS Mathematics at the University of the
Philippine – Baguio Campus (4 semesters completed)
 Currently a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in the
University of the Cordilleras (degree expected 2021)
Accomplishments:
 Campus Journalist and Sports editor
 Former President, University of the Cordilleras –
Political Science Society
Job Experiences:
 SPES(Special Program for the Employment of Students):
o was deployed in the City Environment and Parks
Management Office (2013)

 Computer literacy (knows how to use Microsoft Word,
Excel and PowerPoint)
 Leadership Skills
 Formal Writing Skills
 Communication Skills
Curriculum Vitae
139
Anika K. Montemayor
●21 years old ●Barangay Lusod, Maddela, Quirino
●montemayoranika@gmail.com ●09458664065
 Finished Elementary at Maddela North Central School as
Batch 2012 Valedictorian
 Graduated Junior High School at Maddela Comprehensive
High School with high honors
 Graduated Senior High School at Maddela Comprehensive
High School as Batch 2018 Valedictorian (with high
honors)
Accomplishments:
 Was a campus journalist from elementary to senior high
school
o Editor-in-chief in Grades Six and 11 (contributor
in school publications)
o Competed in Regional Schools Press Conference as
editorial and news writer in Filipino Medium
 Was an athlete from elementary to junior high school
o Competed in Division level in sports like dancesport
and gymnastics
 Was able to join literary, performing arts and quiz
competitions (e.g. NSTW, choir, dance competition and
essay writing contest)
 Joined Supreme Pupil Government and Supreme Student
Government from elementary to senior high school
o Was the Secretary in Quirino’s Supreme Student
Government Federation in SY 2016-2017
 Was an active girl scout
o Joins in National camping in Metro Manila
Curriculum Vitae
140
Job Experiences:
 Work immersant at Quirino Province’s Regional Trial
Court

 Good in terms of performing arts
speaking
○ Has the knowledge in writing articles or text
Curriculum Vitae
141
Crenzel Jade S. Tusnoy

●21 years old●House #37, Purok Sinamar,Brgy. Dalawa,
Alilem, Ilocos Sur
●crenzelwilson@gmail.com●09457156630
 Finished Elementary Saint Augustine School
 Graduated High School at Regional Science High School
Accomplishments:
 Was able to defend and finished a Scientific
Investigatory Project in a span of 10 months as a major
requirement of the exclusive institution
 Was able to join certified seminars such as COMGUILD in
Ateneo De Manila University
Job Experiences:
 Currently in a job training for part-time student
workers

 Communication skills with certain limitations
 Entertainment talents such as singing and dancing
Curriculum Vitae
142
Henrick D. Yson
● 22 years old ● #11 Camdas Subdivision, Baguio City
● henricksyon1998@gmail.com ● 09668756430
 Finished Elementary at Chiang Kai Shek College
 Graduated Junior and Senior High School at Santiago
Cultural Institute as one of the Top Achievers
 Currently studying AB Political Science at the
University of the Cordilleras
Accomplishments:
 Philippine Military Examinee passer
Job Experiences:
 None

 Computer literate (able to operate in digital platforms
effectively)
speaking

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THE BEGGING QUESTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANTI-MENDICANCY

LAW IN BARANGAY SESSION ROAD

A Bachelor’s Thesis Presented to

the Faculty of the College of Arts and Science

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

MA. FLORIDA A. DELA CRUZ

This thesis entitled THE BEGGING QUESTION:

MACARIO T. LUMSIT, MAT

FERDINAND D. LAWAN, PhD JENNIFER C. AQUINO, MAPS, JD

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED in partial fulfillment of the

FERDINAND D. LAWAN, PhD

2. Researchers: MA. FLORIDA A. DELA CRUZ,

4. Type of Publication: Unpublished Bachelor’s Thesis

5. Accrediting Institution: University of the Cordilleras

7. Keywords: Begging, Anti-Mendicancy,

The late President Marcos issued Presidential Decree

The research aimed to examine the implementation of the

Specifically, it sought answers to the following

1. What is the extent of knowledge of the barangay

2. In what way do the private sector and the barangay

Based on the research problems, the following are the

1. The businesspeople are knowledgeable of four

2. The role of the businesspeople in addressing

Based on the findings, the following are the

1. The businesspeople are Less Knowledgeable of most of

2. The businesspeople and the barangay officials

Based on the findings, the following are recommended:

1. The City Government should still conduct a series of

2. The barangay officials should focus more on

The researchers also recommend a study about the

First and foremost, the researchers would like to

praise and thank God, the Almighty, who has granted

countless blessings, knowledge, and opportunity, so that we

finally accomplish the thesis.

Apart from the efforts of the researchers, the success

of this thesis depends largely on the encouragement and

support of many others. We take this opportunity to express

our gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in

the successful completion of this thesis.

We would like to show our greatest appreciation to

Associate Professor Macario T. Lumsit, as our thesis

adviser. Words cannot express our gratitude for his

tremendous support and help. We feel motivated and

encouraged every time we receive his feedback on our

submissions. His words of wisdom have guided us in our

journey in writing this thesis. Without his guidance, this

thesis would not have materialized.

We would also like to acknowledge the research proposal

panel, Dean Ferdinand D. Lawan and Assistant Professor

Jennifer C. Aquino, who has critiqued our prior

aspects of the thesis and our writing.

We also would like to thank the businesspeople and

Barangay officials of Session Road Barangay, the police

officers from Baguio City Police Office – Station 7 and the

social worker from the City Social Welfare and Development

Office who lent their time for the researchers’ interviews.

Lastly, the researchers would like to thank each of our

The strength that we exhibited in writing this thesis was