ILOILO CITY — The city government here is seeking the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas on how to deal with Badjaos who kept coming back to Iloilo.
Jeck Conlu, head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), on Thursday said more than 50 of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) that were rescued last week are back in Iloilo.
Last week, the PSTMO and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) reached out to 93 Badjaos. With the help of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), they were shipped back to their province of origin in Mindanao via the roll-on, roll-off vessels in Dumangas port.
Conlu said probably they disembarked upon reaching the port of Bacolod City, stayed there for several days and traveled back to Iloilo.
“We are seeking the help of the national government for intervention because here at the local government we cannot really trace their province of origin and be assured that they could not come back here,” he said.
He said the city government could not prevent them from coming back to Iloilo City because it would be a violation of their right to travel.
Conlu said his office would like to know if the national government has programs or interventions for them so that once and for all the “challenge” on IPs will be addressed.
The Badjaos are staying under the bridge in Buhang in Jaro, and Pavia, and in vacant lots in La Paz district.
They thrive by being mendicants. Conlu has urged the public not to patronize them.
He also reminded that the city government has an existing Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance that penalizes anyone who will be caught giving alms.
“This causes unsafe road situation and at the same time health because they just left their wastes anywhere,” he said.
In addition to seeking the help of the DSWD, Conlu said that they also sought help from the Philippine National Police to verify if there is truth to information that a syndicate is holding them.
“There is an ongoing revalidation by the PNP,” he said. (Perla Lena/PNA)
