Just Wondering...

.these people really caught my attention.

not once, BUT MANY TIMES.

The last time I was in Manila, on my way home, I was riding in a Jeep and there were Badjao beggars who took a ride. They have their drums and those airmail envelopes. They were giving those envelopes to the passengers with a message saying, "Kami po ay mga Badjao. Humihingi lang po ng tulong pambili ng pagkain." Then they sang a song that is unfamiliar and after that they proceeded to collect the envelopes.

Actually, this was not my first time that I encountered such incident. But, I am just wondering...how these ethnic group came along to the city?? Is there a group or syndicate handling them?? Is poverty the main reason why they are asking for an alms, or are there any other reason behind this? Are they begging just for themselves or for others??  *think.think.think...*


I wonder how they came along to the urban area like Manila, when in fact, it takes long hours of travel from Mindanao to Manila, and it requires money to pay for the fare?? I think there are at least two ways on how they get to the city, it's either there is someone handling them and paying their transportation or they will just ride on a ship and began to hide from the authorities so that they will not be caught. hmmmm....??

We all know that poverty is one of the main reasons why many of the unfortunate Filipinos are begging. BUT, I think there are other reasons too. I wonder if someone or a large group of people is handling and pushing the Badjao tribe to beg in the streets just for their own sake. Here's the logic: If you ask for P1.00 for 1M individuals, you will eventually have P1M. Right?  Of course, it's the easiest way to earn money; send unfortunate/uneducated people, like the Badjaos, to beg in the streets; and command them what do you want them to do. NO SWEAT. Syndicate's way to become rich. 

There is a law that prohibits begging in the streets and giving alms to the beggars. Both the beggar and the giver can go to jail if caught. This law is the PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1563 or the so-called Law of Mendicancy. (Follow this link: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1563_1978.html)
But nowadays, this scenario, is widespread and very chronic. I don't even think that we can stop this, because
this Law was approved during the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos, but until now, it seems like the government doesn't give a s**t on this issue.
Isn't the government violating the law against mendicancy??  *Think about it.

***And before I forgot. Christmas is in the air...so expect that there will be more Badjao people in the streets of Manila, but also in the rural areas. Imagine, some of them have reached the provinces like, Laguna, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Baguio City... I wonder how they get to those places... hmmm...??


Sooo, to help stop poverty, let the Filipino people and the government join force to eradicate extreme poverty. Let us help the unfortunate Filipinos in every possible way that we can. We can help change the lives of these people if all of us will be able to participate and do their share.



NOTE: This blog is NOT against to the Badjao tribe. I AM JUST WONDERING... :)