Establishing An Integrated System For The Control And Eradication Of Mendicancy, Providing Penalties, Appropriating Funds Therefor, And For Other Purposes

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PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1563

ESTABLISHING AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF MENDICANCY, PROVIDING PENALTIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, the promotion of social justice and protection of life, property and dignity of the citizenry in endangered by rampant mendicancy;

WHEREAS, mendicancy breeds crime, creates traffic hazards, endangers health, and exposes mendicants to indignities and degradation; and

WHEREAS, there is an immediate need to provide appropriate services to enable mendicants to meet their basic needs and develop self-reliance;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree:

Section 1. Title And Scope Of The Decree. This Decree shall be known as the Mendicancy Law of 1978. It shall apply to all mendicants, and exploited infants or children who are 8 years old and below, minors found begging and covered by Presidential Decree No. 603 and parents of exploited infants and children criminally liable under...

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Summary of Presidential Decree No. 1563 (Mendicancy Law of 1978)

Definitions (Section 3):
- "Mendicant" refers to a physically able person without legal means of support who begs for a living.
- "Exploited Infant" or "Child" refers to an infant or child 8 years old and below used in begging.
- "Habitual Mendicant" refers to one convicted of mendicancy two or more times.
- "Duly Licensed Child Placement Agency" or "Individual" is an institution or person licensed to care for children.
- "Integrated Developmental Package of Services" includes preventive, habilitative, interceptive, remedial, and rehabilitative services.

Apprehension and Services (Section 4):
- Infants or children 8 years old and below found begging shall be apprehended as neglected children and committed to the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) or licensed agencies.
- Minors over 9 and under 15 found begging without discernment shall be apprehended as neglected children and committed to the DSSD or licensed agencies.
- Minors over 9 and under 15 found begging with discernment shall be proceeded against under Presidential Decree No. 603.
- Persons found begging who are physically or mentally incapable of gainful occupation shall be provided integrated services by the DSSD, local governments, and other agencies.

Criminal Liability (Section 5):
- Mendicants shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or both.
- Habitual mendicants shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P1,000.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 4 years, or both.
- Parents of exploited infants or minors shall be proceeded against under Presidential Decree No. 603, unless they are mendicants themselves.
- Persons giving alms directly to mendicants shall be fined not exceeding P20.00.

Other Provisions:
- The Department of Public Information shall conduct a nationwide educational program on the Mendicancy Law (Section 6).
- Local governments shall provide socio-economic programs and facilities for mendicants (Section 7).
- The Department of Health shall provide necessary health measures for mendicants (Section 8).
- The Department of National Defense shall provide law enforcement services (Section 9).
- The DSSD shall provide an integrated network of services and coordinate implementation (Section 10).
- P2,000,000.00 is appropriated to support activities under this Decree (Section 11).