“No more begging in the streets”: DSWD rescue 130 Badjaos in Manila

November 22, 2022

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National News

At least 130 Badjao caroling in the streets of Manila were rescued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a two-day rescue operation last November 13 and 14.

According to DSWD spokesman Usec. Rommel Lopez, the street dwellers, mostly Badjaos were given up to P10,000 one-time cash assistance and food packs.

Lopez said the DSWD also integrated the rescued Badjaos into a livelihood venture and sent them back to their respective provinces accompanied by a designated welfare officer.

Lopez explained to BITAG Media Digital (BMN) reportage that the assistance driven to the Badjaos is just a piece of cake of their intervening platforms to aid the indigenous peoples (IPs) that are flocking to Metro Manila, especially during the Christmas season.

“Well, ang ibinibigay po nating cash aid sa ating mga IPs is just part of our aid program. Hindi po dito natatapos ang tulong ng DSWD. From securing their welfare mula sa pagsagip sa kanila sa lansangan, up to the best assistance that we could,” said Lopez.

“After the profiling, the Badjaos will be given a package of technical assistance to start their livelihoods,” he added.

The official also clarified that the city government of Manila led the rescue operations.

He said the DSWD only conducted mandatory assistance and immediate assessment of the IPs to identify what help could be extended to them.

Lopez explained that under the existing programs of the national government, the IPs are entitled to get at least P3,000 up to 10,000 cash aid from the DSWD under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa (BP2) and the DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo in his recent statement said they are focusing on rescuing the groups of Aetas and Badjaos in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Priority natin ngayon itong mga Badjao at Aeta para maipadala natin sila pabalik sa kanilang mga probi-probinsya,” Tulfo said in a TV interview.

“Bago po natin papauwiin, bibigyan natin sila ng mga ayuda na P10,000 bawat pamilya. Para ‘yun po ang gamitin nila bilang pangkabuhayan nila,” he added.