SEVENTY-THREE Badjaos, who used to roam the streets of Bacolod City, began their trip back to their hometown in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday, October 4.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that in this pandemic, it was imperative that the Badjaos be sent home before they become Covid-19 victims or carriers of the virus as they roam and beg around the City.
The City Government, through the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), facilitated their return home in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The return of the Badjaos became a challenge in view of the ongoing pandemic and the recent bombing in Jolo, Sulu that almost aborted the project.
Personnel from the DSSD and the BCPO have managed to safely bring them to Dumaguete City Sunday on the first leg of their journey home.
Leonardia expressed his gratitude to Governor Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental, who approved the passage of the Badjaos through the territorial jurisdiction of Negros Oriental and straight to the pier in Dumaguete City.
From Dumaguete, the Badjaos were transported to Zamboanga City by sea Sunday evening, October 4. The OCD of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) will then receive the Badjaos and ensure their safe travel to Jolo.
Those who were sent home were members of the 33 Badjao families rounded up by the DSSD in August upon the instructions of Leonardia.
After wandering the city streets, the Badjaos were temporarily housed at the Bacolod Youth Home in Barangay Vista Alegre, where they were provided with daily food provisions and other basic necessities by the City Government.
For their trip home, the DSSD provided them with food and cash allowances for their travel expenses, rented a bus to bring them to Dumaguete City, and paid for their boat fares to Zamboanga City with the use of program funds of the DSWD regularly coursed through the DSSD.
According to DSSD head Pacita Tero, the Badjaos agreed to be sent home after they were briefed about the risks they may run into while roaming the streets of Bacolod in the middle of the Covid-19 outbreak. (PR)