P 3.2-M program for Badjaous streetkids

Davao City–In an effort to help and develop the condition of the Sama-Badjaou communities here, the city government allocated P3.213 million.

The Sama-badjaou (sea gypsies) are settled near the coastal areas of the city and many of its children remain the streets as many of them either lack interest to education or does not have the opportunity to go to school while other opted to peddle different stuff along the city streets.

In February this year, Department of Social Welfare and Development regional director Mercedita Jabagat wrote the city government seeking intervention and support for their program for the Badjaou communities.

The welfare agency takes a lead role in reaching out for the implementation of a comprehensive program for the vulnerable sector of the society.

On December 6, the City Council upon the request of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio passed a resolution on final reading authorizing the City Mayor to embark on a program for the Sama-Badjau communities in need of assistance from the government.

The project amounting to P3.213 million and will benefit not only tha Badjau peoples but also street children, street families and other IP groups.

Earlier this year, the city government also signed a document with the DSWD focusing on children in conflict under the Comprehensive Program for Street Children, Street Families and Indigenous People (Compre).

The document delineates between “children on streets” with the latter defined as those with no homes to return to.
Many Badjaou families are homeless while other are settled along the coastlines.

The homeless take comfort sleeping with a push carts near busy markets in teh city.

While some street adults are either vagrant and mendicant as their mdoe of survival.

Sama-Bajaus are members of the indigenous ethnic group mostly from Southern Philippines who are often seen in the streets of highly urbanized cities, the DSWD noted.