The Issue of Beggars in the Philippines - To Give or Not?

The speaker frequently encounters a Filipino beggar woman and her daughter at a mall, prompting reflections on the act of giving money to beggars. The woman, who appears to speak little to no English, consistently asks for money. The speaker sometimes gives her small amounts, like 50 cents to a dollar in pesos, but other times declines. This regular interaction leads to a broader discussion about begging in both the United States and the Philippines. Recalling an experience in the U.S. twelve years prior, the speaker describes a "semi-homeless professional beggar" who demanded money at a gas station. The speaker challenged the beggar, pointing out a young boy voluntarily drying cars for donations, suggesting the beggar could also find a way to earn money. The beggar's only response was to repeat his demand, leading to a tense moment. The core of the issue, whether in the U.S. or the Philippines, revolves around the line between charity and the various realities of begging. In the Philippines, 50 pesos, less than a dollar, can buy a satiating street meal, such as barbecue sticks and rice. While giving this amount might provide a temporary meal, the speaker questions the long-term impact and the broader implications of such acts. A significant concern is the presence of able-bodied individuals who choose not to work, finding begging more lucrative and less effortful. The speaker recounts an exposé on a New York "bum" who, despite appearing homeless, was earning a substantial income by playing on people's guilt, often making hundreds of dollars a day. This individual justified his actions by stating he wasn't forcing anyone to give him money, but the speaker points out the deception involved, as his appearance was cultivated to elicit sympathy. The involvement of children in begging is another troubling aspect. The speaker describes an instance where both the mother and daughter aggressively approached him for money while he was trying to pay a parking attendant, invading his personal space and creating a security concern. The speaker emphasizes his right to say no, but notes that beggars often ignore his refusal, repeatedly pressing for money, which he finds disrespectful. He questions why he should give money to someone who disregards his words. The speaker outlines a priority list for giving money. Elderly individuals, such as an old woman or a man playing a toy guitar, are at the top, as they are likely without family support and have limited options for work. Next are handicapped individuals, like a blind person or someone with missing limbs, for whom the speaker feels greater sympathy due to their inherent challenges in finding employment. Children, while evoking sympathy for their impoverished state (often barefoot and begging instead of being in school), present a dilemma. The speaker acknowledges the desire to help them but realizes that giving money can inadvertently reinforce their parents' practice of using them as "cash cows," thus perpetuating the cycle of begging and preventing the children from attending school. The speaker expresses difficulty in justifying giving money to able-bodied individuals who could potentially work, even acknowledging limited opportunities. He believes that giving them money, even a small amount, reinforces their choice to beg rather than seek employment. The speaker and two analytical friends extensively discussed potential solutions, such as providing a year's salary, housing, and a weekly allowance, or even setting up a business. However, they concluded that such efforts would likely fail. People accustomed to begging often lack the skills to manage money or the motivation to work. The speaker cites examples of similar initiatives, like the "projects" in the U.S. for homeless people, which resulted in increased criminal activity and the misuse of resources. Drawing on four years of full-time experience working with homeless drug addicts, providing housing, food, jobs, and counseling, the speaker admits to struggling to recall even one success story. Most individuals reverted to their previous lifestyles, prioritizing freedom from rules over stability and sobriety. The speaker emphasizes that the rules provided were basic life necessities, such as working for food and housing, and maintaining sobriety. The speaker concludes that he cannot say yes to every request from every beggar. He often carries change with the intention of giving, but there are times when he is in a hurry or the person does not fit his priority list (e.g., young, able-bodied men asking for beer). He rejects the "all or nothing" approaches of either always saying no or always saying yes, recognizing the negatives of both. While he experiences guilt when saying no, he acknowledges that a balanced approach is necessary, requiring case-by-case decisions. He accepts that he will sometimes make the right decision and sometimes the wrong one, viewing this as the most realistic approach to a complex issue.