94 Badjaos in Victorias sent home to Sulu

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – 94 Badjaos roaming around the streets of Victorias City, Negros Occidental were sent home to Jolo, Sulu last Saturday.

These Badjaos left the city on board a Ceres Liner bus and eight vans. They were provided with meals and cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca coordinated with Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Ancan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command Office, for the return of these Badjaos who have been wanting to go home to Sulu amid the pandemic.

The trip was also in coordination with the province of Sulu, through the office of Governor Abdusakur Tan, Negros Occidental Provincial Incident Management Team, and the Office of Civil Defense- 6.

The barangay will demolish the shanties they left and enclose the area located near the Malihaw Bridge with cyclone wires.

Two months ago, 73 Badjaos in Bacolod were also brought home to Sulu to prevent them from becoming victims or carriers of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as they roam and beg around the city.