(FILE) Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo. (Leo Udtohan of Inquirer Visayas)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday said some 100 mendicant Badjaos were rescued from the streets of Metro Manila.
Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said the rescue operation started on Friday, November 18.
Tulfo said that in addition to food packs and hygiene kitrs, each rescued Badjao family will be given P10,000 which they can use for livelihood purposes.
“Before, they were only given food, ferry tickets, then sent back home,” Tulfo said in a statement in Filipino.
“You do not solve their problem. The problem is, they don’t have anything to eat in that area because they have no livelihood, so they return to Metro Manila and other big cities to beg for alms,” he added.
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