IT HAS been a common sight in the city that every holiday season there is an influx of Lumads coming to the city.
The Lumads, some of whom came from other provinces outside Davao Region, can be seen begging along the streets, some are outside malls or convenience stores, while others are going around subdivisions knocking at different homes.
They come here to the city to knock on the hearts of Dabawenyos to give them something for Christmas.
However, the city government has been vocal about the Lumad situation during the holiday season.
For his part, Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre said they are discouraging the Lumads from coming down to the city during Christmas season as to not risk their health and safety.
Instead, they will be the ones to bring the Christmas celebration to the rural areas in Davao City.
“Gusto man gud nato sa city na dili na sila mangnaug diri, pero di man gyud na maiwasan. Muanhi gyud sila aron mamasko, atong gina-discourage na... Mao na ginatuyo nato na kita na lang gyud ang muadto sa ila just to celebrate the Yuletide season (We discouraged the IPs from coming here in the city to celebrate Christmas, but it cannot be avoided... That is why we will go there for them just to celebrate the Yuletide season),” Alejandre said.
Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) head Malou Bermudo said the city government will not be able to provide shelters for the IPs coming down to the city. Instead they will be conducting round-ups and rescue IPs found in the city to be brought back to the places they have come from.
While it cannot be avoided, the city or the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) should provide some sort of temporary shelters for the IPs who are coming to the city after they are rescued or rounded up. We cannot just leave these poor people, some even with infants and toddlers, along the streets.
Non-government organizations or civic groups might also want to put up temporary shelters for the indigenous people who are in the city during the holiday season.
In terms of giving gifts to them, the city might want to organize a centralized system where Dabawenyos can drop their gifts for those who are in need. We are sure that there are people there who want to share their blessings to indigenous people who are in need.
For their welfare, we cannot simply let indigenous peoples sleep along the sidewalks or beg along the roads. However, we cannot also let them go back to their place without giving them some sort of help.
Maybe in the next years, a better program can be crafted that will allow them to enjoy the joys of Christmas without risking their lives coming here.