BACOLOD City – The city government is appealing to the public to refrain from giving alms to Badjaos, or “sea gypsies”, loitering in the city streets.
Acting mayor El Cid Familiaran said Bacolod has an Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance with corresponding penalties for those caught giving alms, adding Badjaos will keep coming back if the public continues to do so.
Familiaran had already asked the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Office to conduct an information and education drive on the ordinance. The DSSD also started rounding up all Badjaos.
Sally Abelarde, officer-in-charge of DSSD, said Badjaos are nomads by nature. She added two batches of them arrived in Bacolod City—from Jolo, Sulu and Cagayan de Oro.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Police Office acting director Colonel Noel Aliño said they are willing to extend assistance and will be coordinating with the DSSD.
The acting city mayor is also proposing to have proper documentation with photos before sending the Badjaos back to Mindanao.
Familiaran, who was designated by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to take over his post from June 19–26 for an official travel leave abroad, believed that there is somebody behind the operations of Badjaos./PN
