BACOLOD CITY – As part of the anti-mendicancy campaign, the Bacolod City government is eyeing to demolish an abandoned building in 4th Lacson street, where street children seek refuge.
According to the Department of Social Service and Development (DSSD) Anti-Mendicancy Task Force, they received reports that the dilapidated building has become a squatting area for various groups of street dwellers, where most of the area’s street children grow up with their family.
Some Bacolod residents have claimed that the street dwellers harass them or vandalize their cars if they refuse to give the ‘parking fees.’ It is also an alleged den for solvent-sniffing children.
The task force said that they checked the area, together with the City Legal Office, and will coordinate with the owner regarding the plan to demolish the structure.
Since last week, joint operations between the DSSD and Police Station 1 have rescued 15 minors around Mandalagan and Bacolod Public Plaza areas. (Theresa Mae Dulman via tvds)