THE City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) started its anti-begging campaign on major roads and highways by reaching out to Badjao ethnic group who are most often on the streets begging for money in time for Christmas season.
CSWD Chief Teddy Sabuga-a said since last week, a team from its office is monitoring areas where Badjaos are concentrated, such as in Barangays Puntod and Bulua, to make them understand about the dangers of being on the streets.
“This is actually a year-round campaign pero dili lage nato sila ma-control (but we cannot control them), but this time, part of our strategy is improving our facilities, naa mi gi-target nga very spacious nga lugar (we have targeted a very spacious place) where to put the Badjaos kung makita namo sila sa street, nga ang amo unta pasabton namo sila nganung ginadili gayud (whenever we see them on the street, we just wanted them to understand why they should stop),” he said.
“We target zero caroling sa highways, although we are not prohibiting them nga mangaroling sa mga balay or sa neighborhood sa community (to do caroling in houses or the neighborhood in the community), but not on the roads while gadagan ang mga jeep (the jeepneys are moving) because it is very dangerous, duol kana sa disgrasya (its prone to accidents),” he said.
He said as a part of making their Christmas “merry,” the CSWD will give them gifts in the form of food or clothes.
Aside from educating the Badjaos themselves, Sabuga-a said they are also reaching out to passengers and motorists, by giving out leaflets and urge them to avoid giving money to the beggars.
Target areas where they would distribute information material include an area near a supermarket in Barangay Lapasan, two big malls along CM Recto Avenue, Licoan-Velez streets, Kauswagan crossing area, Bulua and a part of Divisoria.
Sabuga-a also said most of the beggars are not from the city, but from Basilan, Iligan, and even from Manila and are only here for Christmas to ask for money.
“Manglakaw ra pud dayon ni sila after sa pasko, we planned gane ang atong approach, murag Santa Claus, nga mangahatag sad mi ug pamasko sa ila (They will be gone after Christmas, we already planned our approach, like Santa Claus, we will also give gifts to them) as a way also to keep them away from the streets,” he added.
At present, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has a Comprehensive Program for Street Children and Street Families that provides a package of services, interventions and opportunities for children and families-at-risk on the streets to live productively in a safe environment.
