After Cebu City, Talisay cracks down on street carolers too

Local

FOLLOWING Cebu City's lead in implementing stricter rules on Christmas caroling, Talisay City has launched a crackdown on minors caroling inside public utility vehicles (PUVs).

In a joint operation, the Talisay City Social Welfare and Development Office, Gender and Development (GAD) Focal, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) rescued around 20 minors involved in this unsafe practice.

Officials plan to conduct these rescue operations three times a week across various areas in Talisay. They aim to address the rising number of children caroling in PUVs, which poses risks to both the minors and the passengers.

Authorities will profile the rescued minors and interview their parents to understand their situation better. Notably, eight of the rescued children belong to the Badjao community, highlighting concerns about the involvement of indigenous groups in street activities.

In an interview with a TV news program, Dr. Arden Monisit, division superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Talisay, has been reminding students about the dangers of street caroling.

Talisay City Social Welfare Officer Coleen Enajada has urged the public to report any sightings of minors caroling in the streets.

Additionally, Mayor Samsam Gullas said that they will implement strict implementation of the rule on national roads.

Meanwhile, Cebu City has enforced new regulations on street caroling as the Christmas season approaches.

On November 4, the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board announced that carolers must now secure permits for public performances, aiming to balance holiday cheer with public safety.

During a press conference, Lucille Mercado, the board's head, clarified that the city will not impose a total ban on caroling. Instead, the permit system will monitor caroling activities to ensure the safety of both performers and the public.

The permits, which carolers can obtain from the Office of the Mayor, are part of the city’s broader efforts to maintain order during the holiday season.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia expressed his support for the program and assured the public that the permit application process would be accessible.

He added plans to allow online applications to expedite the process and confirmed that the permits would be free of charge, countering earlier statements from the board.

In addition, Cebu City has prohibited caroling inside public transportation. Raquel Arce, head of the Cebu City Transportation Office, added that the ban aims to prevent discomfort among passengers and aligns with the city's no-mendicancy ordinance.

Arce emphasized that while the city supports charitable acts, there are appropriate venues for them. She encouraged those wishing to help to connect with the Department of Social Welfare and Services for organized feeding programs and other activities.(MyTVCebu)