CEBU CITY – With Christmas just around the corner, carolers are expected to become a common sight in this city's major streets and inside public utility vehicles.

With this, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will  conduct close monitoring to prevent carolers from climbing up jeepneys.

Police Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, CCPO deputy city director for operations, said all police stations were reminded to reprimand street carolers as their presence on the road and inside jeepneys exposes not just themselves but also  commuters to danger.

Macatangay clarified that the CCPO is not against caroling but it should be done in appropriate places.

She  asked parents to advise their children to avoid holding carolings on streets or in PUVs.

“We just don’t want to expose them to any harm,” Macatangay said.

Macatangay said the CCPO will also focus on addressing the increasing number of beggars on the streets.

The CCPO will coordinate with the  Women and Children’s Protection Desk and the Social Welfare and Services and Anti-Mendicancy Board (AMB) to address the issue.

The AMB has convened to discuss measures that would regulate caroling.

The board has agreed to require carolers to secure permits before they hold caroling in residential areas and streets here.

Board chair Lucille Mercado said the aim is not to ban caroling but to regulate it to protect the welfare of carolers and residents.

Permits can be obtained from the Office of the Mayor.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia expressed support to the move. He said he will talk to the Business Permit and Licensing Office to make the process more accessible to the public.

Garcia said processing the permit must be available online and free of charge.

“Our purpose is more of monitoring so that it will not be abused,” Garcia said.

Raquel Arce, head of the Cebu City Transportation Office, emphasized that caroling in jeepneys is actually prohibited to prevent passenger discomfort.

Arce asked jeepney drivers and other motorists to report carolers or anyone asking for money as there is an existing no-mendicancy ordinance.