TO encourage indigenous peoples to stay in their communities and dissuade them from travelling to Metro Manila to beg in the streets, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday said it is now coordinating with local government units (LGUs) in developing programs that will help them earn money.
Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said in particular, they are eyeing the establishment of flea markets where the IPs can sell their wares and other products.
In a press conference and in separate ambush interviews in Zamboanga City, Tulfo noted that in the past, the government rounded up the street beggars, including the street children and members of indigenous groups and tribe such as the Badjaos and Aetas, and send them back to their provinces with some relief packs and cash.
Tulfo said this time, the government will take things a step further by addressing the root cause of their problem, which is the lack of employment or source of livelihood.
“The reason why we came here is because we want to solve the problem of what we call the ‘Badjao going to Manila every Christmas.’ I have marching orders from President Marcos to try to solve the problem,” he said.
He said the solution they thought of is not just providing livelihood cash assistance to start businesses but to ensure that they have the venue to sustain their businesses.
He said the DSWD has coordinated with Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe about the possible setting up of a wet or flea market and/or similar establishment where the IPs can bring and sell their products.
If this becomes a success, Tulfo said the DSWD will replicate the undertaking in other areas.
Tulfo said they intend to carry out the same project in other parts of Mindanao, such as in Basilan, Jolo, Cagayan de Oro and Davao, where there are IP groups and tribes, such as the Samals, Yakans, and Tausugs, among others.
The project will likewise be replicated in northern Luzon for the Aetas, he added.
Tulfo was in Zamboanga City to lead the distribution of the P10,000 livelihood assistance to “Sama Bajaus” under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) that was held in Zamboanga City.
Similar events are scheduled to be held in Basilan and Jolo on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tulfo said more than 300 Badjaos who were “rescued” in Metro Manila have already been sent back to Mindanao, while another batch was due to arrive on Monday in Jolo.
The DSWD chief encouraged members of indigenous groups and tribes to register themselves or their families, especially those who do not have any birth certificate yet, so they can avail of other services and forms of aid from the government, such as the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Sustainable Livelihood Program, or Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), among others.
Tulfo said birth certificates are important as it is proof of one’s existence and identity and it will help the IPs when they apply for identification cards, jobs, government aid and even when enrolling their kids in schools.
While in Zamboanga, Tulfo also visited other DSWD program sites such as the home for elderly and family shelters and family food pack storage facilities.
