Beggars scattered around Metro Manila. We will feel
their presence in every corner of the street. It seems that extreme poverty is very
rampant in our society. They don’t have an opportunity to get decent jobs or
let us say that they already made this as a career. They knew that the Filipino
people have a kindred spirit and a merciful heart. Just lay your
hands in the street and there is someone would give them alms.
Nowadays, it is very noticeable that Badjaos are begging for money. In previous
years, they only travel to Metro Manila during Christmas season. But
now, they already stayed here. Maybe because they found out a livelihood here.
According to the story of other people they only used boat when they traveled
to Luzon. Badjao are known as a sea dweller because their house was built over the
water.
Like typical beggar, they are entering on a jeepney and they give
envelop. There is a message there written there introducing that they are
Badjao and they ask for help. So, if you give money they can buy it food. Some
of them have an instrument made in can that gives an eerie sound.
While they are singing to their dialect.
Public have different reactions to the activities of our
Badjao brothers and sisters. Some of them gives sympathy with them. That’s why,
if they have only an extra money they don’t have a second thought to give it.
As what they believed, it is better to give than to receive. They are
very thankful because they are not with their situations. But of course, there
are also individuals who are annoying to the Badjao beggars. Some of them are
snatching food if you don’t give them money. For them, they don’t want to give
them attention to any beggar, Badjao or not. Because when you give alms,
you’re not helping them. Nut you only teach them how to become lazy. As what
the adage said, “Teach them how to fish...” It means that give them a
livelihood rather than giving alms.
But if we would study the law, there is already an Anti-Mendicancy Law. It
created during the Marcos Regime. The law stated that giving or
receiving alms is prohibited because it only destruct the dignity of
a person. Despite of this, there are still so many beggars in our country. Who
can blame from this kind of situation- the beggar, the giver or the government?
Or just let them to continue their activities; for that is the only job they
knew. In the end, it is still up to you if you will give them alms or
not. Well, sometimes it is not bad to give them money. We feel good when we
give our little help to someone. But if you give alms to all
beggars that approaching you; you will lose all of your money. Why? You can’t
count them how many their numbers. Remember that you’re not a philanthropy nor
a worker of DSWD.