A DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson revealed that there were zero mendicants rescued during Christmas and the New Year.
Capt. Hazel Tuazon attributed the zero rescued mendicants to the gift-giving initiative of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in far-flung districts to urge indigenous families to stay in their homes.
Davao City is strictly implementing the Anti-Mendicancy Law, which discourages street begging and panhandling.
Tuazon added that the operations of the CSWDO in sending visiting Indigenous People (IPs) back to their respective municipalities also contributed to the reported zero rescue operations.
CSWDO reported the office hit the target and was able to distribute food packs in all barangays in eight selected districts last Dec. 30, 2023, just in time for the Media Noche celebration.
A total number of 298,040 food packs were distributed to Baguio, Buhangin B, Calinan, Marilog, Paquibato, Toril A and B, and Tugbok.
“Mao na ang tumong sa atong city government nga ang atong IP diri sa Davao city dili na mag-naog kundi hulaton nila ilang pamasko gikan sa city government didto sa ilang matag barangay,” CSWDO OIC Julie Dayaday said during the Madayaw Davao, Dec. 27 episode.
The office reported that visiting IPs from other municipalities were sent home after giving them similar food packages.
As of Dec. 4, 2023, a total number of 1,395 visiting IPs (970 adults and 425 children) were profiled in Mahayag Evacuation Center in Bunawan District.
About 411 families with 639 adults and 279 children were from Talaingod, 153 families were from Kapalong, 20 families were from Bukidnon, 29 adults and one child were from Tandag, and eight adults were from Agusan.
The office, along with the Department of Social Welfare and Development- Davao, sent the families to Kapalong and Talaingod via bus on Dec. 3 and to Tandag and Agusan on Dec. 4.
