Badjao Families in Mabalacat City Struggle for Basic Needs, Aid Unclear
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offers various support programs for vulnerable families, including indigenous groups like the Badjao. However, specific details about aid for Badjao families in Mabalacat City are not publicly available. The Badjao, often referred to as 'Sea Gypsies', face challenges such as poverty and lack of access to education and basic necessities.
Adana, a 10-year-old Badjao girl from Bamban, Tarlac, dreams of having rice and sardines for Christmas. Her family and others in their community struggle to afford even basic necessities. For them, rice and sardines represent a feast. The DSWD is trying to reach out to indigenous communities through culturally-sensitive programs and inclusion efforts. However, Badjao families in Mabalacat City face misunderstandings and arrests while begging for coins on the streets. The family earns only P200 to P400 per day, shared among five members, barely enough for a kilo of rice and a can of sardines. Adana often skips school due to lack of food to bring for lunch. The community hopes for opportunities and sustainable livelihood, not just temporary aid.
While the DSWD offers general programs for vulnerable groups, specific details about aid for Badjao families in Mabalacat City are not publicly available. The community faces challenges such as poverty and lack of access to education and basic necessities. For concrete, up-to-date information, it is recommended to contact the DSWD Region III Field Office or the Mabalacat City local government.
