Please Don’t Give to Sampaguita Vendors
If you have been around the metropolis, you would notice that the surroundings are not always that pleasing, particularly if you come across kids selling the national flower of the Philippines, the Sampaguita (or Jasminum sambac). While you are bound to feel sorry for them and tend to buy them, please don’t. The money does not go to them anyway.
Acts of charity are commendable. But the thing here is that the money you give, even it if is just a simple buck, does not go to them. There are heartless people forming these syndicates, gathering poor children and making them work in exchange for food or shelter. So the scenario is, “No Sale No Food”. You can just imagine what happens if they don’t sell anything.
One alternative you may want to do is give them something that is not cash-based. Something like a sandwich or left-over takeouts to really give them something that they truly need.
Parts of Manila plagued with these vendors include, Greenhills, Quiapo and Quezon City. Just don’t patronize them. If you want to help them out, you can give them non-cash items. Some find it hard, but it is for the good of the locals of the society of Manila.