City Acts to Solve Influx of Badjaos
The city government of Tagbilaran has taken steps to address the influx of Badjaos into the capital city, following a recent incident involving a minor female Badjao.
The incident, which went viral on social media, showed the 14-year-old girl attempting to light a sticker signage attached to a pharmacy door near CPG Avenue using a match.
Alvin Acuzar, of the Community Affairs Unit of the City Hall, said city officials met with representatives from the National Commission for Indigenous People and the local government unit of Dauis to discuss the issue.
During the meeting, officials clarified the responsibilities of parents in rearing their children and addressed the infraction committed by the minor. However, due to limitations in the law, no legal action can be taken against the child.
The parents and the child apologized to the pharmacy management, which accepted the apology and declined to seek restitution.
Acuzar said the city plans to reconvene the anti-mendicancy council to draft policies against begging. He also noted that the previous strategy of rounding up and shipping Badjaos back to their homes has been ineffective, as some individuals have taken advantage of the system to get a free ride home.
The city is considering building a holding facility where minors and their parents can receive lectures and other activities aimed at discouraging them from staying in the city.
A roundtable discussion is also planned with neighboring towns of Dauis and Panglao to find a solution to the Badjao problem.