Cebu City to seek NCIP’s help in dealing Badjaos

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Office (CCAMO) will ask for help from the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) in dealing with the rescued Badjaos.

For several weeks, the city government has been rescuing street dwellers and providing them with temporary shelter at the Noah Complex at the South Road Properties.

With Christmas already fast approaching, DSWS together with CCAMO is doubling efforts as they also go after street kids mostly Badjaos together with their parents even in day time.

It had been observed that these Badjao kids go after public transport to do caroling and risk their lives for dole out.

“Kanang manaygon sa jeep, kanang manghingi sa mga kadalanan, mao ni siya atong tumong. Kay nakita nato nga daghan kaayong minors ang dad-on sa ilang mga inahan,” said Dr. Ester Concha, head of DSWS via the city’s Public Information Office.

Concha said they will not wait for any complaints before doing any intervention.

Concha said they are looking into holding a seminar for the rescued minors together with their parents with the help of the NCIP.

She said that with the NCIP, the seminar will be interpreted with the Badjao dialect for better understanding.

Aside from that, together with the NCIP, the city government will be able to do profiling for the mothers of these Badjao minors.

Earlier, the Badjaos were also asked to help keep their community in Mambaling clean to avoid flooding and other disasters. — GMR (FREEMAN)