Duterte observed that mendicancy has continued to become a social problem in this city and in other urban areas in the country.
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He noted that there is a need to re-organize the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force to address all concerns pertaining to social problem and to provide appropriate services to enable mendicants to meet basic needs and develop self-reliance.
"Mendicancy breeds crime, creates traffic hazards, endangers health, among others," the order said.
The order is grounded on Presidential Decree (PD) 1563, which defines a mendicant as any person who has no visible and legal means of support, or lawful employment and who is physically able to work but neglects to apply himself to some lawful calling and instead uses begging as a means of living.
Duterte said PD 1563 or the Mendicancy Law of 1978 applies to all mendicants, and exploited infants or children who are eight-years-old and below.
Minors found begging are covered by PD 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code. Parents of exploited infants and children are also criminally liable under Articles 59 and 60 of PD 603.
Duterte explained that the city's Anti-Mendicancy Task Force will be composed of the city mayor as its chair, City Council on Social Services as the vice-chair, and the City Social Services and Development Office as the secretariat.
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Local government agencies and non-governmental organizations' representatives will compose the task force membership.
Under the order, the task force will have the following functions: Plan, implement and monitor yearly work programs in pursuance to the objectives of the law;
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Be responsible for the implementation of the integrated network of appropriate services to mendicants; Draw a list of available and required services which can be provided to mendicants.
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