A TOTAL of 130 Badjaos in Cagayan de Oro City were sent back to their homes in Zamboanga; Jolo, Sulu; Basilan and Iligan on Friday night, September 11, as part of the City Social Welfare and Development's "Balik Probinsya" program.
Among the 130 beneficiaries were the Badjao community who were under localized focused containment in Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City.
The City Government, under the Balik Probinsya program, assisted in the process of their requirements, such as their medical certificates, travel authority and barangay certification indicating that they completed their 14-day home quarantine, and transportation.
Apart from the free transportation service, the 130 Badjaos were also provided with relief goods.
Mayor Oscar Moreno said he hopes that the Badjaos will take advantage of the government programs for education, livelihood, and others to make their lives better.
"Mendicancy should not be a way of life for a Filipino. Naa may mga programa ang gobyerno, edukasyon, livelihood, etc. para kana sa tanan," Moreno said.
"Lisod kaayo nga mahimo na natong career ang pagpakilimos and mao nang atong itudlo sa mga bata and children sa atong mga anak," he added.
It can be recalled that a resident belonging to the Badjao community in San Juan, Tabaco, District 1 in Barangay Puntod tested positive for coronavirus.
The said coronavirus-positive patient is a 21-year-old female retagged case to Iligan City.