ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas will rescind his executive order (EO) declaring Bacolod City’s Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran persona non grata if the latter apologizes.
The two local executives traded barbs last week over Bacolod’s dumping of 80 mendicant Badjaos to Iloilo via the to Dumangas port.
“Tawo man lang kita (we’re only human),” Treñas said when asked if he would revoke his EO.
The city mayor also clarified he has no ill-feelings towards Familiaran.
“I haven’t heard an apology…I’m okay, I don’t hold grudges,” Treñas said.
He added: “Remember the golden rule. I’m ready to accept an apology.”
The city mayor also maintained that mendicant Badjaos will not be tolerated in Iloilo City.
“They beg on the streets and are hostile to those refusing to give alms. We cannot allow that,” Treñas explained.
Seventy-seven 77 mendicant Badjaos were rescued in this city and Dumangas town in Iloilo province.
At around 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, assisted by the local social welfare and development offices of Iloilo City and Dumangas, the Badjaos were sent back to Bacolod via a roll-on roll-off (roro) vessel from the Dumangas port on their way home.
Treñas said proper coordination was made with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 before the Badjaos were transported by a Ceres bus from Bacolod to Dumaguete City where from there they would take a ship to their home province Zamboanga.
The city mayor said the city will continue to locate and roundup the remaining mendicant Badjaos./PN
