BACOLOD City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III has served notice to explain to Sally Abelarde, officer-in-charge of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), why the rescued Badjaos were sent off to Dumangas Port, Iloilo, on June 21, without proper coordination with the local government unit.
Maghari said Tuesday, June 27, they served the notice to Abelarde on June 26 to further elaborate or explain why some of the protocols were not observed in the sending off of the Badjaos to their place of origin.
He said at least 72 Badjaos, who earlier travelled from Bacolod City to Dumangas Port, Iloilo, were sent home to Zamboanga City over the weekend by the city governments of Bacolod and Iloilo through a roll-on, roll-off vessel at the Dumaguete City port in Negros Oriental.
He said they were accompanied by four personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and staff of the DSSD going to Zamboanga City.
On June 21, at least 80 Badjaos, who were rounded up by the DSSD in Bacolod City, were sent home to Mindanao through the roll-on, roll-off that docked at Dumangas Port in Iloilo.
Aside from the 80 Badjaos, at least 50 remaining Badjaos in Bacolod City were also rounded up by the DSSD with the assistance of the barangay officials on Monday, June 26.
In Barangay Sum-ag, at least 24 Badjaos were rounded up by the barangay, then were allowed to stay at the village gymnasium, but they left the area on Monday.
Maghari said of the 24 Badjaos, 15 of them were already rescued by the DSSD, and will be brought to the city’s Youth Homes in Barangay Vista Alegre until they are sent to their place of origin.
He said they will also ask Abelarde to explain the incident, adding that as of June 27, the Youth Homes have accommodated a total of 38 Badjaos.
He added that they will wait for the reply of Abelarde, and it will also undergo due process. Then, they will elevate it to Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the City Legal Office to look at the appropriate action to be taken, whether sanction or reprimand.
Maghari disclosed that the anti-mendicancy task force earlier submitted its explanation signed by Anjanette Servano, a focal social worker, that pertains to the incident, but they are now investigating why the incident happened and how it can be prevented in the future.*