‘Vice mayor had nothing to do with Badjao fiasco’

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran had nothing to do with the transport of Badjaos from this city to Iloilo City which prompted Mayor Jerry Treñas to declare the former as “persona non grata” or unwelcome.

Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) head Sally Abelarde told Daily Guardian on Monday that their personnel committed lapses in ensuring that the Badjaos will go home to Mindanao.

“They (DSSD personnel) were overwhelmed as they were able to round up the 80 badjaos roaming the city streets here asking for alms and agreed to go home,” Abelarde said.

She explained that the Badjaos were given the option of what route to take and they opted to go back to Mindanao via Iloilo.

The Badjaos then boarded a ship bound for Iloilo where they were supposed to take a ride that will bring them home to Mindanao. But they later proceeded to Iloilo City which irked Treñas.

Abelarde said that what happened was unexpected.

Maybe while waiting for a ship bound for Mindanao, the Badjaos took the opportunity to beg in Iloilo City, she added.

Abelarde said a member of the Bacolod City Anti-Mendicancy Task Force should have accompanied the Badjaos even as she saw Treñas’ reaction as unexpected.

She also pointed out that dealing with the Badjaos and sending them home is nothing new for them.

“This has been happening for decades even during the time of (former) Mayor Joy Valdez in 2004. It is like a routine for the Badjaos and for the DSSD, every year they come here and every year we send them home to Mindanao. There is already a standard operating procedure we observe,” Abelarde said.

She said they usually send the Badjaos home via Negros Oriental.

Abelarde said that the Badjaos who were sent back from Iloilo arrived here during the weekend and are already on their way to Mindanao.

Several members of the task force accompanied them to make sure that they reached their destination.

Abelarde said they only informed Familiaran of their actions on the Badjaos, but he had no hand in the matter.