by Ricky Jimenez
The holiday revelry has somehow died down but the tell-tale signs of merrymaking gone awry remain as pictured with all drama in the media: some missing fingers or burnt eyebrows, stab wounds from alcohol-induced bravado, charred homes from short-circuited Christmas lights, etc.
Include the effects of the spectacular fireworks display: the new accumulation of toxic pollution in the atmosphere. Plus the humongous mound of garbage from discarded Christmas gift wrappings.
It’s a wonder how come there are fire cracker-related injuries in a city where selling and possessing firecrackers are supposed to be taboo. Is this an issue about human greed all over again, or a penchant for perversity, or just plain and simple fun-seeking, care free attitude of our locals? It is hard to rationalize something done in the name of revelry indeed.
This writer has noted that after a long while, the Anti Mendicancy Law (PD1563, Series of 1973 and City Executive Order #07, so often taken for granted, has taken a life of its own especially during the holiday gift-giving season, zeroing on street children carolers out to make a killing from the kindheartedness of the people.
As a matter of fact, some 30 to 40 minors are taken off the streets for their own sake every night by the Rescue and Surveillance Team purposely created for the holiday season, according to Minda A. Silvano, officer in charge of the Quick Response Team for Childrens’ Concerns (QRTCC).
The campaign was meant to discourage street caroling among children (whether lumads, Badjaos, or Bisaya). The reason is obvious: to prevent exposing minors to vehicular accident. Focus of the drive were busy streets like San Pedro, Quirino avenue near the Bangko Sentral, JP Laurel (Bajada),Torres, Matina Crossing and Lanang.
This was initiated by the City Mayor’s Office through the Office of the City Administrator headed by acting city administrator Atty. Zuleika T. Lopez. It brought together local and national agencies to put sanity back in the streets. The multi-agency effort involved the Traffic Management Council, City Social Services and Development Office, and some local government units in the barangay, on one hand, and the Davao City Police Office and Task Force Davao on the other.
Adults cradling undernourished babies for dramatic effect would knock on windows of motor vehicles stopping on red signal light at busy intersections. This smacks of gross exploitation to elicit pity from the gullible public. In some barangays, tanods (security personnel) have wizened up to this ploy of using minors as carolers; they would trace the homes of parents and book them for exploitation of minors. Families were sent back home through the Balik Probinsya program of the City Government.
The Rescue and Surveillance Team idea is a welcome campaign. It should make reappearance in the next Christmas season. We need something like this to give meaning to the anti mendicancy law, if only to stop the unconscionable abuse of the rights of minors and to prevent their undue exposure to clear and present danger: in the middle of the streets. (For your comments, suggestions or reactions, please email me at rjrjrajimenez @gmail .com)
