Skip to main content

DSWD to intensify services to Bajaus

By Iryn D. Cubangbang and Kim Dyan Calderon
DSWD
Almeda Quinluman, one of the Bajaus who attended the consultation dialogue spearheaded by DSWD Field Office 1. (DSWD)

The Dept. of Social Work and Development (DSWD), through the Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) sub-committee on social protection, is considering various situations of Bajau families wandering in the cities of Region 1 for identification of proper and longer-term assistance.

Initially, Bajau communities in the City of San Fernando were reached out to establish linkage and benchmark on their well-being. 

A consultation dialogue and focus group discussion with some Bajau families was held with representatives from the Cities of Laoag, Batac, Vigan, Candon, San Fernando, Alaminos, San Carlos, and Dagupan. Partner agencies were also present such as DILG, PNP RO1, CHR-1, NEDA-1, and NCIP.

This effort will collect responsive activities done by these concerned cities and agencies to improve the lives of these Bajau families living under vulnerable conditions.

Accordingly, the results of these early social preparations will become the basis for appropriate interventions and/ or help them establish a community with sustainable livelihoods.

As Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo posed a challenged to partner stakeholders, he also recognizes the complex social environment of Bajaus that require an open mind and responsive design of social protection program for them.

Hopeful Bajaus like Jerry Biri, 39, from Zamboanga City, said, “Malaking pasalamat namin na may dadating na tulong sa amin, para sa amin ang gagawin ng gobiyerno para gumanda ang buhay namin [We are very grateful of this help for us to experience an improved life].”

Roaming the streets was never an easy situation. Such was what happened to Almeda Quinluman, four-month pregnant Bajau who was teary-eyed as she recalled how they were driven away from their temporary shelters or even demolished without prior notice.

“Sa awa ng Diyos masaya na kaming mga Bajau at may mga nakikinig na sa amin na kagaya ng DSWD [With God’s help, we are now happy since there are already those who attend to us like the DSWD],” said Ms. Quinluman.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd  of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PIDS expert says income tax cuts justified; warns gov’t of revenue loss

Proposals to amend the personal income tax schedule appear to be well-justified. However, these proposals should include measures that will allow government to recover the revenue loss from lower income taxes. Dr. Rosario Manasan, senior research fellow of state think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), said at a seminar sponsored by the Philippine Senate, that government should look for new revenue measures to compensate for the projected revenue loss that will arise as a result of the implementation of any of the various proposals to restructure the personal income tax. Currently, there are several income tax reform proposals pending in both houses of Congress. All of them, according to Dr. Manasan, have the same objective of addressing the phenomenon of bracket creep, which results from “non-indexation to inflation of personal income tax brackets”. Simply put, bracket creep occurs when employees’ income increases over time as a result of inflation. Th

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City.  (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.