(Press Release) — The Bayani or Heroes Association of the CNMI assisted seven Badjao and three Christian families in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City, the southern Philippines.
Bayani also assisted a 102-year-old man who has been bedridden due to old age. The 10 families, consisting of 27 individuals, received housing materials, kitchen and cooking utensils, and care packages.
Before the distribution of assistance, the Bayani Association volunteers in Cagayan de Oro City met with the leader of the Badjao tribe to inquire about the needs of the families. A series of consultations were conducted to determine the primary needs of the tribal members. The volunteers decided to repair the Badjao’s restroom made of assorted ripped lightweight tarpaulin, bamboo poles and plastic, and replace it with fitted steel-plated walls and galvanized plate roofing. The volunteers also bought heavy-duty tarpaulins to replace the roof of the dilapidated makeshift shelters.
As for the care packages donated by Bayani, they consisted of 10 kilos or over 22 pounds of rice, detergent and bath soap, toothpaste, sardines, noodles, soy sauce, cooking oil, shampoo, brown sugar, a basin, a bucket, a cooking clay pot, mosquito nets, towel, bread, juice, solar lights, and a flashlight.
The Badjaos live in very poor conditions. They don’t have access to clean drinking water. They survive by begging for food or money at the public market, the Bayani volunteers said.
“We are so thankful for the generosity of the Bayani Association,” the Badjao tribe leader said. “We cried with joy to see our huts and restroom repaired. We don’t need much. We only need little help from people who care but we received more than we expected,” he added.
The Bayani Association volunteers in Cagayan de Oro are Alejandro Bernal, Manuel and Ruth Dumanon, Mario Benanda, Bebie Narvasa, Edna Todino and former Marianas Variety reporter Junhan Todino.
Bayani Association president Annamae Adaza said they are grateful to their donors namely RMR, AJ Camacho, Johney Yamson, and, to all Bayani members for their financial help “so we can assist the needy no matter where they are.”
She added, “We are thankful to Junhan Todino who use to work here in Saipan, for assisting us in making our donation possible.”
The Bayani Association is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the United Filipino Organization.
For those who wish to collaborate with the organization, you mall call its president, Annamae Adaza, at 285-4388, vice president Yolanda De Ramos at 989-7836, secretary Marie Paz Meister at 785-0349 or treasurer Ladyvir Canape at 989-2545.
Members of the indigenous Badjao tribe in Cagayan de Oro, the southern Philippines, received care packages and other forms of assistance from Bayani Association, a community service group based on Saipan.
Contributed photo
The Badjaos in the southern Philippines live in very poor conditions.
Contributed photo
