Dad iterates task force on mendicants needed

A ranking city official is iterating his proposal for a formation of a task force that will oversee the issues and concerns of mendicants and mentally challenged persons in Baguio before the problem is blown out of proportion.

“The proliferation of mendicants roaming our public streets is untenable. There might be an uncalculated risk that can occur should this problem remain unchecked,” vice mayor Daniel Fariñas said.

The proposed creation of the Baguio City Anti-Mendicant Task Force was first brought to the fore late last year but such proposal seems “not that urgent” to some concerned city officials.

But Fariñas said the matter should be treated as a priority concern, adding that there are times that mendicants and mentally challenged persons pose threat to the public when they run amok.

“In fact, a few years back, a man who appeared to be in his normal state of mind presented himself as a buyer to an unsuspecting vendor of knives. After scrutinizing among the bladed instruments, he chose a large and… formidable weapon…then hacked the vendor and everyone
on his way,” he recalled.

Fariñas then proposed that the task force be created and be composed of representatives of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Baguio City Police Office, the Psychiatry Department of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, and other concerned government agencies and civic groups.