GOING HOME. The group of 77 Badjaos who traveled back from Iloilo City to Bacolod City last weekend on board a roll-on, roll-off vessel from the port of Dumangas, Iloilo en route to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, where they traveled going to Zamboanga City. A batch of 54 Badjaos will also be transported from Bacolod back to Mindanao in the coming days. (Photo courtesy of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas)
BACOLOD CITY – The city government here is coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to send back 54 more Badjaos to Mindanao by next week.
City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said on Thursday the group comprises the second batch of sea gypsies who will return to their place of origin.
"The city's Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) already advised me, there are about 54 of them. They are being prepared for travel. There is coordination with regional office of DSWD," he said in an interview.
From Bacolod, the Badjaos are expected to pass through the port in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental going to Zamboanga City.
"They will be escorted by Philippine National Police personnel. Most likely it will still be via Dumaguete. It will be funded by the DSWD and now being processed by the local DSSD," Maghari said.
The second batch of Badjaos was among those rounded up here last week and sent back via Dumangas, Iloilo.
"I believe the estimated schedule (of their travel), if not this week, it's early next week," Maghari said.
After Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas complained of their presence on June 22, he criticized then-acting mayor, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, for lack of coordination and declared him persona non grata.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez apologized to Treñas, who though accepted the apology, said he will send back the Badjaos here.
On June 24, the Iloilo city government, in coordination with the municipality of Dumangas, transported 77 Badjaos back to Bacolod via a roll-on, roll-off vessel.
They then proceeded to Dumaguete, where they boarded a vessel going to Mindanao.
Maghari said there should be a master list of these Badjaos so they can be tracked in case they try to return to Bacolod.
"At the same time, there should be coordination with private carriers for evaluation of their purpose in traveling to Bacolod. There really should be monitoring," he added.
During their stay in the city, Badjaos, both adults and children, have caused concerns as they were roaming and begging for alms on the streets. (PNA)
