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[av_heading heading=’‘Ilonggo kindness attracts Badjaos’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – What makes this city attractive to mendicant Badjaos?
Ilonggos are kindhearted people, according to City Administrator Hernando Galvez and Jeck Conlu, head of the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) that has been tasked to round up the Badjaos for deportation to Mindanao.
“We are charitable but we don’t want our kindness abused,” said Galvez.
He reminded residents of City Regulation Ordinance 2002-400 and Presidential Decree 1563 that prohibit mendicancy.
Begging and giving alms are punishable under the city ordinance. Mendicants are liable to a fine of P500, imprisonment of not more than a year, or both fine and imprisonment. On the other hand, giving alms is punishable by a fine of P500 or community service.
According to Conlu, the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Ports Authority confirmed to him that everyday Badjaos enter Iloilo City through ships docking at the seaport of Dumangas, Iloilo from Bacolod City.
“I appeal to city residents. Please do not give alms to the Badjaos. You are encouraging them to keep on returning,” said Conlu.
PSTMO launched Oplan Sapupo – the campaign rounding up the Badjaos and Atis – two weeks ago and managed to apprehend 57 of these mendicant indigenous people.
Conlu said PSTMO will be strictly enforcing City Regulation Ordinance 2002-400. Both beggars and the charitable would be arrested in coordination with the Iloilo City Police Office, he warned.
“Wala na diri sang may magpakilimos bisan ano nga rasa kun nagatuman lang kita sang laye,” said Galvez. “Kun masampolan na, sigurado matahap na ina sila.”
Presidential Decree defines a mendicant as 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./PN
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