MANILA, PHILIPPINES – As the Christmas season is fast approaching, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) appealed to barangay officials and local government units, particularly in Metro Manila, to stop children from caroling and asking Christmas presents on busy streets.<\/p>\n
Social Welfare Secretary Corazon \u201cDinky\u201d Soliman asked for the barangay leaders\u2019 cooperation to ensure the safety of street children, and will be their important partners in assuring the safety during Christmas season.<\/span><\/p>\n Barangay officials can help in ensuring street children\u2019s safety by giving activities that would help them enjoy the spirit of Christmas in their own communities.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStreet caroling is risky for children. They are squeezing themselves between vehicles and taps on car windows or jumps from one public utility vehicle to another. They are unmindful of the dangers to their life,\u201d said Soliman.<\/span><\/p>\n Soliman also appealed to the public commuters to stop giving alms, it is the reason why children keep on risking their lives seeking for kindhearted people who would find hard to say no to poor children going up and down to public transportation vehicles asking for Christmas gifts.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe ask the commuters and private vehicle owners not to give. If you will keep on giving them money, they will definitely come back with more company in the crossroads, because they are aware they will get something,\u201d Soliman added.<\/span><\/p>\n