BACOLOD City – Despite heavy rains, the Bacolod City Mendicancy Management Division (BCMMD) under the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) rescued a sick homeless woman and facilitated her hospital admission on February 10.
The operation was carried out in close coordination with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office–Emergency Medical Services (DRRMO-EMS).
According to Anjanette Servano, social welfare officer and BCMMD focal person, the 33-year-old woman had been living on the streets for an extended period and had reportedly been experiencing continuous bleeding for nearly a month.
She was frequently seen lying along roadsides and in public areas, prompting multiple reports from concerned residents. Her condition had significantly deteriorated, leaving her weak and vulnerable.
Servano said the woman was first brought to the BAYS Center, where BCMMD staff and DRRMO personnel provided hygiene care, including cleaning and diapering. She was later transported to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) for proper medical treatment.
“The patient was extremely weak when we found her. Immediate action was taken to ensure she received the necessary care,” Servano said.
The DSSD is also coordinating with the concerned barangay to locate the woman’s family and provide further assistance, including possible reunification and other social support services.
City officials said the successful rescue highlights the local government’s commitment to delivering humane and inclusive social services.
Servano emphasized that the anti-mendicancy program not only enforces city ordinances but also ensures that vulnerable individuals, including mendicants and homeless persons, receive timely medical attention and social intervention.
“This incident underscores the city’s proactive approach in balancing law enforcement with compassion, providing care to those in need regardless of social status or circumstance,” she said.
The city’s anti-mendicancy program was strengthened under Bacolod City Ordinance No. 1112, which amended City Ordinance No. 146, Series of 1995. The measure renamed the task force as the BCMMD and increased the fine for giving alms to P500 from the previous P50.
The ordinance seeks to enforce stricter measures against street begging, particularly the exploitation of minors, while promoting rehabilitation and social welfare.
Through coordinated rescue operations such as this, the city continues to demonstrate its commitment to social protection, public safety, and inclusive services for all residents./PN
