ILOILO City – The city government rounded up mendicant Badjaos and sent them back to their home provinces yesterday.
Around 23 of them, composed of 11 adults and 12 minor-aged children, were “rescued” from the streets in an operation headed by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) and Mayor Jerry P. Treñas’ executive assistant, Hector Alejano Sr.
The Badjaos were transported to the port in Dumangas, Iloilo. The city government coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for the Badjaos’ transfer to Bacolod City via roll-on roll-off vessel and back to their places of origin, mostly in Mindanao.
Alejano clarified that the city is not discriminating against the Badjaos. However, they are violating the city ordinance and the national law on mendicancy, he explained.
“Daw turista nga gapakilimos. Gakadto di sila mangayo-ngayo. They are putting their children in danger kay ara sila sa kalye,” added Alejano.
The executive assistant said the city government should do something about this because if not, more Badjaos will be coming over.
Alejano believes the Badjaos have handlers.
Previously, he said, they confiscated several envelopes, neatly written, which the Badjaos used when asking for alms.
Alejano is hopeful that when they return to their home provinces, the Badjaos’ local government units (LGU) will take good care of their needs, especially their livelihood, so they will not roam around asking for alms.
“Ano ang ginhimo sang ila LGU sa point of origin nila nga waay gahatag sang livelihood sa sini nga mga tawo?” he asked.
Meanwhile, CSWDO head Teresa Gelogo said they have conducted a profiling of the Badjaos like they did in previous years.
Gelogo said some of them were the same people rounded up previously.
“Sang nagligad, gingastusan sila ni mayor sa pagpauli sa ila, tapos nagbalik man sila,” said Gelogo.
The Badjaos find the Ilonggos generous, that’s why they keep on coming back, according to Gelogo.
She advised the Iloggos not to tolerate the Badjaos.
“Okay man tani nga gahatag kita pero may time nga ga-abuse man sila, kag especially ang mga kabataan, gakadto sa kalsada, ka-vulnerable sa ila sa disgrasya,” said Gelogo./PN
