Badjao beggars in Baguio sent home to Pampanga

Baguio City, Philippines – Some 17 Badjaos who were found begging for alms along the streets of Baguio City were sent back home to Angeles, Pampanga on Tuesday, September 13 by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).

The Officer-in-Charge of CSWDO, Liza Bulayungan through the City Public Information Office, relayed that beggars would frequent the city’s main streets and would transfer location when prevented by social workers, or police personnel.

The CSWDO said that sending the Badjaos home is in accordance with the Presidential Decree 1563 or Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978 which apprehends mendicant or any person who has no visible and legal means of support, or lawful employment and who is physically able to work but neglects to apply himself to some lawful calling and instead uses begging as a means of living.

According to Bulayungan, the Badjaos were profiled by CSWDO and were oriented on the city’s policy against begging. The profiling prevents them from traveling to Baguio and begging for financial support.

Before the Badjaos were sent home, they were provided cash aid for transportation expenses by the said office. They were then ferried home through public transport.

Bulayungan stressed that continuous monitoring and the provision of social services shall be conducted.

In 2019, City Mayor Benjamin Magalong created an executive order for the creation of an anti-mendicancy task force in the city.

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