STO TOMAS City, Batangas -- Here, there, and everywhere.
Yes, like in other places they are also here, present in this local government unit, also known as the gateway to the province of Batangas.
They can be found in Tanauan City, the next city or town after Sto. Tomas, and everywhere, scattered throughout the region of “Magigitings.”
The lead paragraph, reminiscent of the famous Beatles song, aptly describes the journey and struggles of the Badjao minority group from Mindanao.
Indeed, they are here, there, and elsewhere. They are inherently nomadic, although some claim they are monitored and led by someone nearby as they beg for alms, quite literally everywhere.
They take advantage of what we know as the “Season of Giving,” the Christmas season.
Some of them even carry "ampaos" (red envelopes symbolizing good fortune during Christmas) and offer them to jeepney commuters, hoping for a few coins or small bills as they sing Christmas tunes, or whatever.
The Badjaos are a woeful sight, chasing down fast-moving jeepneys and clinging precariously to the back, all while doling out ampaos to captive passengers who need to endure their "stinky" smell due to the lack of daily hygiene.
At night, they can be seen sleeping here, there, and anywhere. One might wonder where they attend to their basic needs.
Such is the nomadic Badjao lifestyle. They have become an obnoxious reminder that Christmas is approaching as they would appear first in pairs, then in groups, and eventually, as the "Ber" months settle in, whole families with babies in tow to complete the picture.
It has sadly become known now that when it's Christmas time, it's Badjao time.
However, their nomadic life is no easy feat.
The Badjaos, also known as Sama-Bajau, excel not only as fishermen and adept sea navigators but also as guardians of traditions, culture, and narratives deeply rooted in marine life.
Referred to as "sea gypsies," they are scattered across Southeast Asia, including Sulu, Celebes Sea, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur in the ARRM, Philippines; Sabah in Malaysia; and Sulawesi and Kalimantan in Indonesia, among other regions.
Despite facing significant challenges in the Philippines, with many migrating to neighboring countries, forming the second-largest ethnic group in Sabah, their captivating oral traditions recounting tales of princesses, sultans, and colossal stingrays, alongside their nomadic lifestyle on boats, offer a rich and intriguing exploration.
End the Annual Badjao Exodus
A newcomer lawmaker has drawn the attention of concerned agencies, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), to halt the annual exodus of nomadic Badjaos.
Senator Robin Padilla has urged these agencies "to end the annual practice of indigenous peoples (IPs), especially the Badjaos, begging in provinces like Batangas and on the busy streets of Metro Manila during the approaching Christmas season."
Padilla stressed the need for long-term livelihood assistance from the DSWD and the NCIP, highlighting the recurring cycle of IPs traveling to Metro Manila, risking their lives while seeking alms.
"Every Christmas, we witness our indigenous brothers and sisters, including the Badjaos, on various streets with their children. They are rescued and sent back to their home provinces, only to return here," expressed Padilla during the Senate finance sub-committee panel on the proposed 2023 DSWD budget.
Proposing a solution, Padilla suggested leveraging existing DSWD livelihood programs to teach IPs sustainable income-generating skills, reducing their dependence on street begging.
Then DSWD Secretary and now Congressman Erwin Tulfo pledged to enhance the Balik Probinsya and Kalahi-CIDSS programs to support IPs upon their return home, with a focus on preventing their return to Manila the following year.
NCIP chairman Allen Capuyan also outlined plans to emulate Davao City's successful program, gathering IPs for cultural presentations, and attracting donors and sponsors.
Additionally, he mentioned coordinating with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to teach weaving skills to IPs.
Despite these plans, it appears the program has not been fully implemented. Yet.
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