AN OVERVIEW OF THE CAUSES THAT COMPEL STREET CHILDREN

IN COMMITTING VARIOUS CRIMES IN CONCEPCION UNO,

MARIKINA CITY

A Thesis Proposal
Presented to
The High School Department
St. Scholasticas Academy Marikina

In Partial Fulfillmet
of the Requirements for the Course
Introduction of Research Paper Writing

By
Yfka Lawrence Besas
Frances Nicole C. Confiado
Kelly Marie Cruz
Leila Beatrice Duyao
Aleeza Escalona
Jessica Garay
Maeca Paulino
Kara Ramos

January 2015
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter I: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION p.3
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM p.4
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
DEFINITION OF TERMS P.5
THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK p.6-9
Chapter II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
RELATED STUDIES p.10
RELATED LITERATURE p.11-12
Chapter III: METHODOLOGY
METHOD OF PROCEDURE
SOURCES OD DATA
RESEARCH AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE p.13
LOCALE OF THE STUDY
STATISTICAL TREATMENT OF DATA

p.14- 15

Chapter IV:
PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION
AND ANALYSIS OF DATA p.16-24
Chapter V:
SUMMARY p.25
CONCLUSION p.26-28
RECOMMENDATIONS p.28
2

CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction
The advancing of our times do include a lot of benefactors and incredible
inventions

that

showcase

humans

talent

in

technology,

arts

and

science.

The

continuous progression of our century is indeed, a bit too fast, and a lot of us do
get behind- most especially the ones who are struggling financially.
This

dissertation

aims

to

address

the

ones

who

are

left

behind

by

the

modernizing factors of society, more specifically, the street children. They are
constantly eradicated from the radar of government officials who should be helping the
citizens of the Philippines whether they may be rich or poor, strong or weak. And
although receiving much media coverage, they are still disregarded and ignored.
They can be seen begging everywhere and when push comes to shove, they resort to
stealing out of pure necessity. Ironically, the lack of higher authorities to help
these children only increase the crimes of the country- corrupting our cities and
villages even more over time and yet we are purposefully blind to those who need us
the most. Despite the children having households and receiving a form of education,
once they are exposed to bad influences either at home or in school, they would be
committing those crimes as well. The people at home and in school should, yes, be
educated as well but the researchers could be focusing primarily on the child and how
they could be taught to combat these influences.
More specifically, this research aims to lessen the crimes committed by the
children so as to help protect the residents and educate the street children. They
would be helping the residents through educating the street children. The researchers
over the course of a few years noticed the abundance of these children in various
places in the NCR and they had decided to take a step forward. The students would be
conducting surveys and interviews to the three main kinds of respondents namely the
barangay council, the residents and the street children. Inquiring them would be
giving depth to the research by offering three kinds of opinions from the same topic
and make the study more accurate.
The action plan consists of a program schedule that we would be conducting to
the children, posters that we would be hanging all over the particular area of focus
and several inquiries for the bodies of authority such as the Department of Social
Welfare and Development and local teachers in the area.

Background of the Study

This study aimed to determine the effects brought about by the actions of the
street children that could harm the residents living in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City,
the response of the authorities towards the problems caused by the street children,
the reasons why they do such unpleasant actions and the appropriate action plan for
this study based on the given survey forms and the interview with the street children
and residents.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This paper was conducted to determine and investigate the status of the alarming
rise of the population of the street children in the barangay of Concepcion Uno in
Marikina city as perceived by the local residents residing the area during the year
2014. The aspects looked into were the determining factors determining factors of
street children, their deeds and actions when theyre out and about the said area,
their stimuli for performing these actions, the problems that arise due to their
presence and/or actions, possible resolution to these problems, form of help given by
the local government and the safety of the residents. The researchers would then be
using

the

education

of

the

street

children

as

medium

to

better

protect

the

residents, which would be the main beneficiary of their study.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to find possible solutions for the development of the safety and
security

of

the

residents

in

Concepcion

Uno,

Marikina

City

in

regards

to

the

population of the street children in the aforementioned place.

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:
1. What are the possible stimuli that cause street children to loiter and/or engage
in dangerous activities in the streets of Concepcion Uno?
1.1 Home Environment
1.2 School Environment
2. What are the possible solutions to lessen and/or withdraw these street children?
2.1 Barangay Council of Concepcion Uno, Marikina City
2.2 Residents donation and pursue for the education for these street
children
2.3 Students

action

plan

in

helping

the

children

attain

educational

prowess
3. Expound and analyze the effectiveness of the formulated solutions

Significance of the Study

This study would be significant to the following:
The

residents:

Of

course

safety

is

the

number

one

benefit

of

the

residents

in

Concepcion Uno since their welfare is given due regard in our study. Moreover, the
people in this particular area of study will gain from this because the students
research will help them know why there is a pressing problem in the increase of street
children which is directly linked to neighborhood crimes and ways in which these could
be halted to a stop or even a decline. They would also be more socially aware of their
part in community, which is to help these children locate their proper identities and
hopefully contribute through their donations to help in the positive reinforcement of
the children.
The

barangay

council:

responsibilities.

This

These
study

people
would

would

usher

in

be

more

need

aware
for

of

their

stricter

duties
and

and

socially

enlightened group of authority which would help in the protection of the residents and
the children themselves.
The street children: They would be our medium for the betterment of the area under
focus. After the researchers had evaluated their living conditions, they would then
formulate their action plan. These children would be educated and enlightened through
their intervention and due to these efforts, their future would be brighter.
The street childrens parents and families: Their burdens would be greatly relieved
through the improvement of their childs character.

Definition of Terms
1) Street Children- children who are always going around outside, they may have homes
and go to school but the most important factor would be their admittance to being
involved in these crimes

2) Street Crimes- any offense done in a place wherein there are a lot of people

3)

Concepcion

Uno-

barangay

located

inside

Marikina

city;

this

would

be

the

researchers area of focus

4) Donations- given as an act of charity; may include food, clothes, books, toys and
money

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

The researchers had narrowed down the influences street children may have experienced
in their environment that would push them to commit crimes and/or psychotic crimes.
These factors are the situations at home, school or their friends and their living
conditions. We had based it on the following theories.

Sociocultural Theory by Lev Vygotsky- His theory stated that the caregivers, parents,
peers, or simply the people in authority in a childs life are responsible in teaching
these students values and lessons that would help develop their character later on in

life.
Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura- He simply stated that a childs character is
observed and modeled based on where he/ she is and his/ her environment. It is not
through conditioning or reinforcement do children form their values and beliefs.

If not given a solution, these street children may be provoked to street crimes of
psychopathic tendencies once they are exposed to an environment not conducive for a
healthy mind and body.
1. The Attachment Theory (revised version) by Mary Ainsworth under the category of
Home tells us that the kind of relationship between the parent and the child
would determine his/ her attachments with adults later on in life. It would
build

upon

an

inner

working

model

fashioned

based

on

what

the

child

experienced under the care of his/ her parents. If the said caregivers are
unresponsive towards the childs needs, he/ she would deem them unreliable which
would lead to a reluctance in trusting other people in authority or grownups and
vice versa.
2. Cognitive Theory by Jean Piaget which points out that infants were born with a
basic mental structure, meaning that through the development of these thinking
processes, they are able to form hypotheses through the use of logic as they
mature and age. Later on, they would find discrepancies in their environment and
with what they know which would lead to the continuous development of their
mental thinking processes. They develop through experiences and they level up
(i.e. situations in school).
3. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow addresses the childs need for
safety and security as well as loving and belongingness. If the child lives in a
neighborhood prone to crimes doubled with the effect of poverty and parental
neglect, he/she would definitely feel an effect on her values in life.
When these problems are allowed to foster within the child as he/ she experiences
biological maturity over time (Maturationist Theory by Arnold Gessell) problems and
discrepancies upon the childs morality may ensue. A child automatically acquires
knowledge through his/her experiences in the environment as he or she grows and ages
in time.

The main explanation for these discrepancies in the childs morality may be solely
explained by the Control Theory of Sociology by Glasser. He explained that whenever we
react on the situations we are in, it would be the best and the most appropriate in
that period of time. He said that we act to settle the inner forces within us- what we
do, think and feel. In general, in the effort to control and get a hold of our life,
we

resort

anothers.

to

things

This

that

explains

would
the

remind

desire

of

us

that

street

we

are

children

living
to

our

forget

life
their

and

not

negative

influences and focus on the fact that they are in control of their lives; because of
this desire, they commit crimes. The most extreme of which is fledging psychos, or
most likely known as child murderers or killers- individuals who have lost their
control

in

their

own

lives

and

feel

the

desire

to

steal

anothers

to

achieve

satisfaction. Through mental discipline theories say that through the right mediums
for instruction, these children will be remedied of their criminal tendencies and this
should be done by the local Baranggay Councils. If not effective, they should be put
in rehabilitation centers like in DSWD so relief is immediate.

This timeline shows how the researchers would conduct their dissertation. If the last
stage ends up being unsuccessful, the students would be redoing the whole process
starting

from

the

formulation

of

survey

and

interview

questions

for

the

street

children. If successful they would keep repeating the action plan.

CHAPTER II
9

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents review of the local and foreign
literature and studies relevant to this proposed study.
Related Studies
Following is the review made on some foreign and local studies that are related
to the study.
In the Child study of Senator Teresa AquinoOreta in 2000, child experts agreed
that it is an essential development in a childs thinking happened from the period of
his/her birth until the sixth year. There is a powerful influence on their physical,
emotional, intellectual and psycho-social thinking. Therefore the gap between preschool education and basic education is vital in childhood care and development. If
deprived of both these essential aspects, one can only think of the poor upbringing of
this child as the Maturationist Theory kicks in and the discrepancies in society
arrive without the due preparation this child needs.
In Lewis Aptekars study entitled Street Children in the Developing World: A
review of their condition, the main reasons for the increase in street children are
due to the modernizing factors of society.
It is high time to introduce the value of children rights. In Guerrero Ortegas
Street Children at risk, 2013, the situations of the children loitering around the
streets are viewed as a violation of the rights of the youth.
In the Child and Youth Welfare Code, Article 1. Declaration of Policy, it is
said that, the molding of the character of the child start at home. Consequently,
every member of the family should strive to make the home a wholesome and harmonious
place

as

its

atmosphere

and

conditions

will

greatly

influence

the

childs

development.
The parents are not the only one with the responsibility of bringing forth a
peaceful ambience in the neighborhood. The Barangay Councils in Article 86 of the same
code shall have solutions that are in accordance with the law that is necessary to
provide for the lacking of any support a child needs. They should take steps to
prevent juvenile delinquency and assist the parents in the form of imparting lessons
that would be conducive for a morally- manifested child. Along with this, the barangay
council should be ready for any complaints of a certain youth organization or a
concerned civic association regarding their implementation of municipal ordinances.

10

Another

study

regarding

the

behavior

of

street

children

specifically

the

abandoned ones say that social turbulence, war and most of all poverty causes the
displacement of children along with the abandoning of their parents either in the
moral of the physical aspects. The street children tend to cause crimes in the society
that

rejected

them.

Not

only

do

street

children

suffer

from

the

disrespect

of

civilians but also from child labor. In the studies of Ina Alleca R. Silverio 2014,
Elinando B. Cinco 2002 and Loren Legarda 2001 children who are lacking of financial
resources are forced to face inequalities in employment at a very tender age. They
faced

human

degradation

and

abuses

as

they

are

sold

as

sex

slaves,

sports

entertainers, and the likes to both foreign and local tykes. It has to come to a point
that their other duties are neglected and their needs are not of importance. They are
very vulnerable out on the streets and these hazardous circumstances can have very
detrimental implications.

Related Literature
Following are the foreign related articles related to this study and

were reviewed by

the researcher.
In the article written by Fr. Shay Cullen in the World Mission magazine, The
Human Face of Philippine Poverty, he has said that the hundreds and thousands of poor
people are driven from the impoverished country side to urban slums where the children
are out on the streets begging for food and money.
Catherin Pater-Brick, 2002 in her article entitled, Street Children, Human
Rights, and Public Health: A Critique and Future Directions, pointed out that society
is fully aware of the consequences of poverty. Children living in the street have
indeed received enough media coverage and public concern and thus, had become a
priority for national and as well as international involvement.
According to Maslows Hierarchy of needs the need for love, belongingness and
safety is very essential in the development and thinking of a child.
In Nelly Alis The Pervasive Nature of Violence in the day-to-day
street

lives of

children, violence, whether at home, in the street, at school, in the hands of

authority, or directed at themselves are most commonly on top of the list that street
children face. These particular acts of violence are reported to have been downplayed
and underestimated due to the public perception that it was the norm and therefore,
perfectly acceptable. On the street, the children are facing lots and lots of forms of
violence, and once arriving and joining a particular group of fellow children, they
follow a set of rules and culture that their street family has. If they are not
obedient to these, the consequences are severe.

11

This proves that to manifest their resilient loyalty and utter obedience to the
heads of their street families the children are abiding by their principles- even if
these rules and regulations are completely immoral.
Nelly Ali also pointed out a possible reason on why street children act the way
they do. As they are seen begging and loitering around on the streets, they experience
maltreatment among drivers and street vendors, who push and ignore them whenever they
ask for monetary donations. This, in return, messes up their ethical values as they
are then seen walking around and scratching cars with nails or robbing a few pieces of
food from the street vendor. This is seen as their way of getting back to those who
humiliated them at the traffic lights.
In Hon Clemente S. Gatmaitans What You Should Know About Drug Abuse (2002) .
He explains that uneducated children without enough parental guidance can be subject
to drug and substance abuse and addiction. The psychological dependence exists when
the effects produced by a drug become a necessary part of a persons

well-being and

can be seen as an escape to their problems such as violence in the family and in the
streets as explained above. This is only one problem caused by the continuous increase
in street children.
Jose Claro in his article in the Philippine Star in 2012 delves deep into the
mind of a child criminal. He / She is usually distant and they try their best to stay
out of the authorities radar. It is researched by child psychologist Dr. Joseph
Regalado

that

low

self-esteem,

influence

of

gangs

and

rebellion

groups,

lack

of

guidance and acceptance make a child more prone to crimes - in accordance to the
studies Nelly Ali had gathered.

12

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
Method of Procedure
The researcher will gather all the results of the survey questionnaires and the
interview answered by the residents, barangay officers and street children staying in
Concepcion Uno Marikina City. The researcher will also seek the help of professionals
and ask to have a copy of the list of street children who have committed unpleasant
actions in Concepcion Uno Marikina City.

The survey questionnaires and the documents

concerning street children will be the basis of our study that street children do
unpleasant actions which harms the residents in Concepcion Uno Marikina city.
The respondents of this study concerns the residents, barangay officers and the
street children in Concepcion Uno Marikina city.
Survey questionnaire Survey form A for Residents observation, Survey form B
for barangay officers observation. Interview Interview A for residents insights
and Interview B for street childrens insights this will allow our study to know and
visualize what causes the children to do such unpleasant actions through the survey
questionnaires.

Sources of Data
Street children from Concepcion Uno served as the respondents in this study. The
researches collated all information about the respondents through a Simple Random
Sampling. In a Simple Random Sampling, a person must choose a random person from a
population without bias.

Research and Sampling techniques

The street children, respondents and the barangay council from Concepcion Uno
served as the respondents in this study. The researches collated all information about
the respondents through the sampling method of clustering these groups according to
their groups- that is whether they are residents, street children or part of the
barangay council. After clustering these three groups, the researchers would then
apply the simple random sample which would require selecting a random person without
bias.
There are a total of 79 street children in Concepcion Uno, 6, 680 households and
112 members of the Barangay. A sampling unit of 20 street children, 20 residents and

13

10 barangay council members would be interviewed and surveyed by the researchers which
would amount to a total of 50 respondents.

Locale of the Study

The barangay of Concepcion Uno, formerly known as Bayanbayanan (little towns)
was originally an agricultural land rich in soil. As time had passed, new settlers
began modernizing the small area and changed its name to Concepcion after Mary of the
Immaculate Conception on June 6, 1936. Marcelino de Guzman was also the first barangay
leader elected in 1903 and held his position for a couple of years.
The researchers, who are students of St. Scholasticas Academy of Marikina,
finds this study conducive in reporting the current crimes of the street children and
also the safety of the residents.
Survey forms will be distributed to the residents and the barangay council of
Concepcion Uno, Marikina City. The residents would be interviewed and surveyed so as
to achieve the most necessary of information whereas the street children would only be
interviewed regarding their current status. A total of 50 respondents all in all would
be the goal of the study. Majority of the respondents would be from the street
children and the residents and only a few of them would be from the barangay council.
In

this

matter,

the

researchers

would

be

properly

equipped

with

the

necessary

essentials that would be needed in their action plan.

On the other hand, the researchers choose the familiarity of the area under
study as a way to gain easy access to the prerequisite information. They will use
their knowledge of Concepcion Uno (and with parental supervision) to locate the areas
most

populated

by

the

street

children

to

complete

the

research

despite

time

constraint.

Statistical Treatment of Data

We used 2 statistical techniques in treating our data and these are:
Arithmetic Mean

- Also known as the AVERAGE. To get the mean, you have to add

up all the data that you have gathered and divide it to the total number of the data.
It can also be computed by the equation:

14

Ranking Method

- To calculate the Ranking method, you have to add all the

answers per question/ choice. The question/choice with the largest number of response
is the most preferred choice.

15

CHAPTER IV
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This chapter presents, analyzes, and interprets the data gathered to answer the
questions of the study
Profile of the crimes committed by the street children in Concepcion Uno,
Marikina City
Crimes.Table 1 presents the negative actions most often done by these street
children.
Table 1
Crimes committed by the Street Children
Crime
Rugby
Sleeping in Public Places
Vulcaseal
Littering
Begging
Curfew
Loitering
Vagrancy
Riot
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
6
25
5
5
4
27
5
2
1
80

%
7.5%
31.25%
6.25%
6.25%
5%
33.75%
6.25%
2.5%
1.25%
100%

Based from the table, the most notable violation committed by these children is
staying in the street even after curfew. The curfew in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City
starts at 10 P.M. in the evening and there are often children loitering around the
streets at that time of night. Next is the sleeping in the public places brought about
by many factors such as homelessness or avoidance of parental supervision.
Next is the profile of the residents response to various questions in relation
to the street children and their crimes.
Residents.Table 2 presents the residents response to the surveys
Table 2
The Residents Response to the Surveys

Table 2.1 at what time do you often see these street children out and about?
Time

Frequency (f)

16

Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Midnight
TOTAL:

3
9
11
2
25

12%
36%
44%
8%
100

The tables above shows at what time the residents encounter street children in
Concepcion Uno. 25 residents took our survey and 11 out of 25 (44%) answered that they
have encountered street children in the evening, presumably when the curfew starts.
However, 9 out of 25 (36%) encountered street children loitering in the afternoon.
While 3 out of 25 (12%) encountered street children in the morning. Lastly, 2 out of
25, which is 8% encountered street children during midnight.
Table 2.2 have you encountered these children engaging in any unhealthy/unfavorable
activities?
Response (Yes/No)
Yes
No
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
15
5
20

%
75%
25%
100

Based from the table above, 15 out of 25 or 75% of the residents, said that they
have encountered street children engaging in unhealthy/unfavorable activities. 5 out
of 25 of the residents, or 25% said that they have not encountered street children
engaging in unhealthy/unfavorable activities.
Table 2.2.1 if yes, what were they engaging in? (You may check more than one)
Unhealthy and unfavorable

Frequency (f)

activities
Drugs/ Rugby
Stealing
Destruction of Property/

10
4
4

47.62%
19.05%
19.05%

Vandalism
Others (Smoking)
TOTAL:

3
21

14.29%
100%

Based from Table 2.2, there are 15 out of 25 or 75 % of the residents, who
answered that they encountered street children doing unhealthy/unfavorable activities.
Here in Table 2.2.1 those activities are expounded; we can see that 10 out of 25 or
47.62%, said that they are engaging in vices such as drugs and rugby. While 4 out of
25 or 19.05% reported that they been stealing and/ or vandalizing properties. Lastly,
3 out of 25 which correspond to 14.29% of the residents reported that they encountered
street children smoking cigarettes.
Table 2.3 do you give out any monetary aid to these children?

17

Response (Yes/No)
Yes
No
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
7
13
20

%
35%
65%
100%

Based from the table, most of the interviewed residents said that they do not
give out monetary aid to the street children in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City. As seen
on table 2.4, they do not prioritize giving out monetary aid to the street children in
the said place. However, if given the chance, they would donate food rather than
money.
Table 2.4 what, as a resident of Concepcion Uno, do you think is the BEST kind of
donation to give to these children? (Check only 1)
Donation
Financial/ Materials (i.e.

Frequency (f)
2

%
9.52%

clothes, toys)
Food
Spiritual Help
Others (Parental Guidance/

12
3
4

57.14%
14.29%
19.05%

lectures)
TOTAL:

21

100%

The interviewed residents said that the best kind of donation to give out to the
street children is food. The second best kind of donation would be parental guidance
and/or lectures. Next are spiritual help, financial help and/or clothes and toys. As
seen on the analysis of table 2.3, the residents do not highly recommend donating
monetary aid to the street children. It is the least best kind of donation to give out
to the street children based from the table.

Table 2.5 do you think that the current Barangay of Concepcion Uno is responding or
acting appropriately to the growing population of the street children?
Response (Yes/No)
Yes
No
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
5
15
20

%
25%
75%
100%

Based from the table, more than half of the interviewed residents said that the
barangay is not responding to the problems brought about by the growing population of
street children in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City. The City Councilor and Allocation

18

Officer themselves said during the interview that there were no implemented programs
specifically for the street children.
Table 2.6 have you ever felt threatened or scared whenever you see these children
roaming around?
Response (Yes/No)
Yes
No
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
12
8

%
60%
40%

The residents that the researchers have surveyed and interviewed mostly replied
that they see these children loitering around usually at evening. Presumably, these
children roam around at night pass the curfew, which was, as mentioned earlier, the
most committed offense. Although, for the residents, a lot of the children can be seen
inhaling drugs such as rugby, a crime not as much as prominent as the violation of the
curfew. Majority of the residents interviewed and surveyed showed that they are indeed
threatened

by

the

presence

of

these

children

and

had

evaluated

the

barangay

of

Concepcion Uno to be unsuccessful in the eradication of street crimes committed by the

street children.
However, if they are given the chance, they would be very willing to give out
donations such as food, clothes, toys, books and even money to these children so that
they may be more morally knowledgeable and equipped with the right skills necessary to
become a better member of society.
Next is the profile of the Barangay Councils response to various questions in
relation to the street children and their crimes.
Barangay.Table 3 presents the Barangay Councils response to the surveys

Table 3
The Barangay Councils Response to the Surveys
Table

3.1

has

the

barangay

implemented

certain

programs,

integrated

appropriate

lectures, or gave timely lessons about discipline to the street children and their
families?
Response (Yes/No)
Yes
No
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
5
2
7

%
71.43%
28.57%
100%

19

Although majority of the barangay council members answered yes, it is proven

through recent interviews that there are no programs, lectures or lessons given to the
street children.
Table 3.2 what are some of the challenges that hinder the council in the development
of a better and safer neighborhood especially in terms of the increase in street
children? (You may check more than 1)
Challenges
Lack of Discipline
Lack of Knowledge
Ignorance
No Initiative
Others
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
5
5
3
1
0
14

%
35.71%
35.71%
21.43%
7.14%
0%
100%

The table interprets how the council is dealing with the betterment of their
community in regards to the rampant increase of street children in Barangay Concepcion
Uno. The barangay council isnt able to pass regulations that would lessen the number
of street children because primarily of the lack of discipline of children in terms of
following existing ordinances. Second, the fact that 35.71% of children were said to
lack

discipline,

guidelines.

it

Third,

is

caused

21.43%

of

by

these

their

lack

children

of

ignore

education
the

about

effects

of

these
their

street
various

actions on the streets. Lastly, 7.14% do not commence action even with the knowledge
of their behaviors.

Table 3.3 what is the most appropriate consequence for these children who commit
crimes? (Please choose only 1)
Consequences
Juvenile detention
Handed over to the DSWD
Scolded (either by the

Frequency (f)
2
5
0

%
28.57%
71.43%
0%

officials or their parents)

They should not be given

0%

any punishment
Others
TOTAL:

0
7

0%
100%

The table depicts the suggested repercussions for the street children that
execute troublesome actions. According to the respondents, 71.43% feel that the street
children children should be handed over to the DSWD while 28.57% prefer juvenile
detention to their actions.

20

Table 3.4 is the government currently helping you/ giving guidance on the discipline
of these street children?
Response (Yes/No)
Yes
No
TOTAL:

Frequency (f)
5
2
7

%
71.43%
28.57%
100

The members of the barangay council mostly replied that they had implemented
programs for the street children. Their responses are confusing since all of them are
members of the barangay council therefore all of them must have the same answer
because all of them should know what their projects are.
Generally, the barangay council currently does not have any programs for the
street children. Although 71.43% of them answered that they do have programs, they
were merely referring to the past year or just confused by the nature of the question.
When asked what is their respons to the Article 86 of the child and Youth Welfare Code
(which says that the council should have to help the children in order for them to
grow up as better individuals) they had replied that they were not familiar with the
particular article and that the children were not their priority- their priority was
to lessen crimes in Concepcion Uno.
The barangay council relies much on the DSWD. First, they merely turn over the
budget allotted for Concepcion Uno to the DSWD and they do not monitor the way the
budget is divided. Second, 71.43% of them voted for the children who are caught
engaging in unfavorable activities to be handed over to the DSWD when in fact, they
should use that as their last resort if the childs delinquency is too much for them
to handle.
When the researchers surveyed Mr. Jojo Ortiz, he had said that out of the Php
230M budget for the barangay of Concepcion, only 1% was for the street children AND
the senior citizens, which they give to the DSWD as the latter would be the one to use
the budget.
The students then agreed that the barangay has not been proactive in helping the
street children manifest the proper behavior they should have on the streets. They do
want to eradicate or lessen the crimes and yet not all offenders are adults, they are
underestimating the value of a pitiful child who grew up in the harsh ways of the
streets, and this would only serve as a consequence for them.
Next is the profile of the street childrens response to various questions in
relation to their lifestyle.
Why the streets.1 presents the Street Childrens response why they are always on the
streets

21

WHY THE STREETS?

Magbenta ng gulay o
sampaguita
4%

Di masyadong nasa
labas

22%

Makipaglaro/
Tumambay

4%

Pabaya ang
Magulang

70%

This pie chart shows that in a total of 23 children, 70% of them are tambays,
or just merely playing on the streets while quite a number of them are selling
vegetables or sampaguita to earn a living. An individual even said that his/her
parents were always letting him/her go outside without appropriate supervision. This
may also be applied to the children who were dubbed as tambays because throughout
our interview, we had not seen these children with their parents.

Influences and crimes.2 shows us the results gathered from the children when asked if
they are engaging in street crimes. This includes the type of crimes that they are
committing and the influences from their peers.
Response
Hindi gumagawa ng masama at

Frequency (f)
8

%
33.33%

tumatambay lamang
May mga masasamang

4.17%

impluwensiya (kapatid)
May mga masasamang

12.5%

impluwensiya (kaibigan)
Gumagawa ng masama at hindi

20.83%

sinabi kung ano ang krimen

Nag-iingay
Nagnanakaw
Nang-aaway
TOTAL:

2
2
3
24

8.33%
8.33%
12.5%
100%

22

It can be seen that there are children who are committing street crimes (37.49%)
and there are those who steal from the residents of Concepcion Uno. It is also
necessary to point out that majority of the children the researchers had interviewed
are studying in the local public schools inside the area and from the local teachers
that we had inquired, their peers might have a very strong influence at the childs
character. There are also those who said that they were merely playing on the streets
and are not, in any way, engaged in those crimes. The major reason as to why these
children resort to these crimes are either for amusement or for money, for those who
are not able to enter school.
However, as said earlier, 75% or 18 of the children we had interviewed
said that they were already studying in schools such as H. Bautista Elementary school
and Concepcion Elementary school and they had said that they need to persevere more to
continue studying. And yet they were engaging in street crimes such as fights and
making noises.
Those who were not studying (25% or 6 children) when asked if they are
willing to study or give up their vices to take up education, 4 children said that
they are indeed interested and willing to study and 2 children replied that they are
not anymore willing to go to school.
And this shows the lifestyle of the children. There is evidence that even if the
children

are

currently

taking

up

their

education,

the

mere

presence

of

their

influential peers may corrupt their moral dignity. It also represents the need for an
intervention for the children to receive a stricter household, more specifically,
parents who are more responsible in watching over and supervising these children since
the lack of this would result to dire consequences. It should also be pointed out that
when asked if the children are engaging in street crimes, they were very reluctant
although honest to specify what kind of crime they are committing.
More especially, as specified by City Counselor Jojo Ortiz, there is a Php 230 M
budget for the Barangay of Concepcion Uno, only 1% are allotted for the street
children and the senior citizens and they merely turn this over to the DSWD. This
clearly

shows

the

lack

of

intervention

from

the

people

of

authority

themselves,

combine this with the lack of parental supervision, the street children are left
fending for themselves in an environment in which corruption is prominent- and this,
in return, would only rotten their character morally, spiritually and physically.

23

CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The researchers studied the relation between street children in Concepcion Uno
and the crimes committed in that particular area of focus, to see if there is a
noticeable

connection

between

the

two.

The

general

purpose

of

this

dissertation

covered how the researchers can guarantee a more safe and crime- free residential
environment for those living in Concepcion Uno. Similarly, the study also aimed to
find the particular activity these children are up to when they are out and about,
possible causes that provoke the street children to engage in unfavorable activities,
the most appropriate solution to help these street children and to identify if the
local government or barangay is active in helping these street children.
In order to reach the answers to these questions, the researchers had
set up a few needed goals. Determining what makes an individual a street child
became necessary for the study. The researchers had agreed upon that a street child
is an individual who spends majority of his/her time in the streets- either to play

24

with other children or to sell products in the streets. They may have homes and/ or
receive a form of education so as we can narrow down the possible causes of their
crimes to either come from their home environment or their surroundings in school.
Related

to

the

problem,

it

became

necessary

for

the

researchers

to

survey

and

interview three clusters of respondents, namely a sample of 20 residents, 7 officers

from the barangay council of Concepcion Uno and 23 street children. The residents were
surveyed and interviewed about their current perception about the street children in
their area and if they are satisfied with the efforts of the barangay to resolve these
issues. From our gathered results, majority of the residents do feel threatened by the
presence

of

these

children

and

they

are

not

satisfied

with

the

efforts

of

the

barangay. As for the council, they established that they are hindered by the lack of
discipline and knowledge their own group has and it is holding them down. As indicated
by Marikina City Councilor Jojo Ortiz, there is only a 1% allocation for the street
children and senior citizens in the Php 230M budget for the barangay of Concepcion Uno
and they merely turn this over to the DSWD, not giving assurance of how they had
properly divided and allocated the money for the street children. The barangay, in
terms of programs for the children, left much to be desired as there is no current
plan of action for the aforementioned beneficiary. And lastly, the street children,
when asked if there are any bad influences around them, did confirm that their
environment is also a main factor of their willingness to commit crimes. They are also
honest of admitting their wrongdoings as they are out and about the streets.
As for the possible solutions for these children, the researchers had set
up an action plan that would educate the children in various places in Concepcion Uno.
The

students

set

up

reading

activity

that

would

focus

on

Biblical

events

or

childrens stories, a lecture about moral conducts and the giving of donations from
the residents themselves.

Conclusions
The appropriate response to the possible causes that provoke the street children in
carrying

out

these

crimes,

as

seen

from

the

interview

gathered

from

the

street

children and in response to research problem 1 is the environment at home and in

school. There had been answers that pertain to their siblings and friends as the
influences that plague the childs mind and serve as their stimuli to commit more
street crimes or offences. An interesting comparison of the results with the research
of Nelly Ali in which he had said that On the street, the children are facing lots
and lots of forms of violence, and once arriving and joining a particular group of
fellow children, they follow a set of rules and culture that their street family
has.

25

Given that this study was conducted on street children to gain further knowledge about
their lifestyle and Nelly Ali was based on numerous patients and on actual instances,
we can give a number of conclusions for this comparison. The first one would pertain
to the lack of connection between the dissertation and the studies of Nelly Ali.
Second would be that there is a connection and that the influence of the gangs and the
rebellion groups do indeed exist in the childs sphere and serve as a corruption to
his/her moral integrity.
The possible solutions to improve the moral development of the children also referred
to as research problem 2 was answered in our surveys and interviews. The barangay
council, so far, has not implemented any sort of program with the intention of helping
the street children. The residents however, are indeed willing to donate necessities
for the children such as clothes, toys, books, food and even money. The researchers
would be utilizing the said materials for the action plan. Also, the action plan would
utilize

program

schedule

organized

based

on

the

various

methods

collated

from

researches and interviews from the local teachers of Concepcion Uno. It was also
drafted from former executions of the action plan. The researchers believe that the
new patented program schedule would effectively bring about awareness in the childs
character and incorporate him/her with the right set of moral skills.
The particular finding regarding the lack of effort from the barangay council
contradicts the Child and Youth Welfare Code Article 86 which says that the Barangay
Councils in Article 86 of the same code shall have solutions that are in accordance
with the law that is necessary to provide for the lacking of any support a child
needs. There is an apparent lack of willingness from the baranggay to intervene with
the street children and help them throughout the difficult decisions that would test
their moral stability. They should take steps to prevent juvenile delinquency and
assist the parents in the form of imparting lessons that would be conducive for a
morally- manifested child. Along with this, the barangay council should be ready for
any

complaints

of

certain

youth

organization

or

concerned

civic

association

regarding their implementation of municipal ordinances. As the barangay of Concepcion

Uno is merely passing the budget over to the DSWD, there is, as mentioned earlier, no
indication

of

what

the

budget

is

meant

for-

more

allocation

is

prerequisite,

especially when it comes to the street children.

The effectiveness of the formulated solutions is yet to be tested in regards to
research problem number 3. The final action plan would be executed on January 17-18
and the inquiries have been forwarded to the Barangay Council in response to their
apparent lack of initiative to start a program. Catherine Pather-Brick (2002) did
include in her research that society is fully aware of the consequences of poverty.
Children living in the street have indeed received enough media coverage and public
concern and thus, had become a priority for national and as well as international
involvement.

The

researchers

are

fully

aware

of

their

role

in

society

through

26

several TV programs and documentaries targeted at the street children, thus, they will
be given the right kind of support through the carefully patented program schedule for
these children effective on the 17th and 18th of January.
The following conclusions were then reached in relation to the research problems:

16.67% of the street children had admitted that there are those who influence
them at home and in school whereas 49.99% or 50% had admitted to committing
street crimes such as making too much noise pass the curfew hours, stealing and
engaging in fights. From this we can indeed conclude that there are influences
on the streets/ school and at home for these children and once exposed to these
influences, especially at a fresh young mind, these children would easily pick

up their actions and do the same thing.

60% of the residents do indeed feel threatened by these children and quite a lot
of the children do commit street crimes. It is then high time for these children
to receive moral lectures and activities that would hopefully strengthen their

spiritual character.
There is a lack of programs form the barangay council for these children and the
budget

was

not

utilized

properly.

We

then

can

conclude

that

the

lack

of

knowledge and discipline for the barangay needs to be remedied and the proper

allocation of the budgets should be called for.

Through the interviews that the researchers have conducted on the children, they
seemed honest about their past mistakes and they are fully admitting the gravity
of their wrongdoings. The researchers then conclude that these children are not
entirely morally corrupt. They resort to these crimes out of complete necessity

and they should be guided with willing and patient hands towards the right path.
And as for those who refuse to cooperate and those street children who become so
conceived

with

committing

these

deeds,

71.43%

of

the

barangay

officials

recommended that they be once again handed to the DSWD. It is then that even the
barangay could not fully bring the very delinquent to justice and needs a higher
body of authority for an appropriate consequence for the individual. This shows
that although some of the children are still morally good, some of them have
gone to extremes due to influence and the need to sustain themselves and their

family.
And lastly, 75% of the children we had interviewed said that they were already
studying

which

were

the

same

children

who

had

admitted

to

resorting

to

wrongdoings. This confirms that even though they are in a scholarly environment,
the children are still being subject to bad influences.

Recommendations

27

The

following

measures

are

recommended

for

the

improvement

of

the

study

regarding the street children in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City as based on the
conclusions:

The researchers must have collated data from various kinds of respondents as

this would give more depth to the study

The researchers must gather essential questions in the survey and interview

forms that would help support the study and answer the research problems
The activities presented to the children must be out of careful deliberation

so as to ensure moral development

The researchers must clearly specify terms such as street children and

street crimes
The researchers must pick an area that is abundant with street children to

make the dissertation easier and more accurate

Future researchers should always consider alternatives or at least the three
best possible ways on conducting an action plan

28