Badjaos begging on streets to be sent back to Jolo

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 15 Badjaos who recently arrived in Cebu City to beg on the streets are being sent back to Jolo, Sulu in Mindanao by the city government.

These Badjaos, who arrived in Cebu just in time for the Christmas season, include women who are often seen begging for money along the city’s busy streets with babies strapped to them.

The city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) was first alerted by a social worker from the municipality of Badian about the presence of these Badjaos in Cebu City.

"Gikan ni sila’g Badian. Ni-call nako ang social worker didto kay naabot ni sila didto nagpakilimos, then gipahatod nako sa Mambaling (sa Cebu City) para i-turnover nako sa barangay,” said DSWS head Portia Basmayor through the City’s Public Information Office.

DSWS initially turned the case over to Mambaling, as it is where the Badjao community is located.

However, after seeing them begging on the streets amid the city’s intensified campaign against mendicants, DSWS decided to send them back to Jolo.

According to Basmayor, the city government is spending P38,000 for their fare and food to return home.

From Cebu, they are expected to reach Jolo in a few days via Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Before leaving, the Badjaos were also made to sign an "undertaking" that they will not return to Cebu to beg again. (CEBU NEWS)