The Bajaus or the sea gypsies as they are universally known for were historically a seafaring nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers who lived in the waters of the Southern Philippines. They handcraft wooden boats to serve as their home, their workplace and their life. They were born out at sea, lived out at sea and they died out at sea.

But this traditional life has changed for some Bajaus, after countless generations at sea, some are now settling on land.

Forty (40) minutes from the Zamboanga City mainland, a small community of Bajaus inhabits a section of the barangay Sangali. Adapting to life on land, this is how they make a living.

Based on the barangay profile, 10% of their population is Bajau. Like most of them, Bajaus in Sangali are migrants who came from different parts of Mindanao, and who are continuously finding a place where they can sustain themselves and their families’ needs.

Sangali Barangay Chairperson Daud Bakil disclosed that Bajaus used to sail day and night with the currents, counting only on their fishing gear to make a living. He added that ironically, they survive the deadly waves for them to save their lives from hunger and poverty.

“Noon kasi, pangingisda lang ang source of living nila. Mahirap din para sa kanila tuwing may bagyo, wala silang huli, walang kita, at wala din makakain ang Pamilya nila.” Bakil opened up.

The people who once led nomadic lives navigating the seas have now increasingly adopted new livelihood opportunities on the mainland.

In November 2015, the Department of Social Welfare and Development through its Comprehensive Program for Sama-Bajau identified Sangali as one of its pilot areas for Cash-for-work implementation.

The cash-for-work was conceptualized after thorough assessment and coordination with key stakeholders were conducted to choose and implement interventions that will not only address the economic conditions of Bajaus but will allow them to become more adaptive in all types of environments.

DSWD Regional Office IX thought of introducing and transferring knowledge on crops planting to Bajaus to enable them, especially women, to earn additional income for their family. This will also help them survive whether they choose to live in coastal community or in mainland area.

In cash-for-work program, identified beneficiaries are required to plant vegetables and other related activities for 10 days in exchange of 1,500 pesos. Aside from this, beneficiaries get to bring home the produce. Some sold them; some are brought home for their own consumption.

DSWD Regional Focal Person for Sama-Bajau Program Balma Sali shared that they needed to partner with different stakeholders to realize the said initiative.

“Of course aside from continuous coordination with the LGU, BLGU, we also partnered with the Department of Agriculture for the technical assistance. They taught and trained our beneficiaries to plant properly.” Sali recalled.

Georgina Ruiz, one of the beneficiaries of the Cash-for-work program narrated their experiences and the things they learned from the series of trainings organized by DSWD that help them understand the program and the process of planting crops.

“Dimungug kami marayaw para makahati kami, byariin magtanum. Na imingat da kami Bukun da tuwi isab mahunit, pasal hinduan da kami. Na byaun awun na sin namu, iban mga sayul dahun pa bay. Magsukul tuud ha DSWD, ha barangay, pasal nagsupport sila kamu.” (We listened carefully to learn how to plant. It wasn’t that hard, after all. Now, we do not just earn money, we also get to bring home some food for our children. We are thankful to DSWD and to Barangay officials) Georgina shared.

Meanwhile, Hermela Mosqueda, a Barangay Councilor witnessed how Bajaus were so enthusiastic to participate in the project. She further said that they were a revelation to her since she didn’t expect that they were that interested to learn new things, especially planting.

“Nung nainform na namin sila na may paparating na tulong galing sa DSWD, palagi na silang nagfofollow-up dito sa Barangay Hall. Interesado talaga sila. Kaya nasabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na hindi pala totoo na mga tamad ang mga Bajau, na very dependent. Narealize namin na talagang hindi lang sila nabibigyan ng opportunity para tulungan ang mga sarili nila.” Hermela related.

Georgina and her co-Bajaus’ new learned skill has boosted both their status and of their family as the cash-for-work project did not only provide them with livelihood opportunity, but it also motivated them to fully participate in the training and proved that fishing is not the only option there is to live.

“Makug kami kasi awun na kami dugaing usaha. Misan kami pakain yatu, misan ha mga bud yatu, mabuhi na kami, ba’t maingat na kami magtanum, awun kame makaun, iban hika-buhianan ha mga anak. Oo, Bajau kami sah, kaya na namu mangusaha.” (We are happy that we now have other means to earn. Even if we live in mountains, we can already survive, because we already know how to plant so we’ll have something to put on the table. Yes, we may be Bajau, but we are capable to live a decent and good life.) Georgina added.

Georgina also shared her plans of sending her children back to school this year since was also able to put up a small sari-sari store using the money she earned from the cash-for-work and from the vegetables sold. Aside from this, her husband was also one of the beneficiaries of livelihood assistance given by the same program of DSWD.

Since the start of the program, DSWD was able to serve 238 Sama-Bajaus in Sangali and 1,231 beneficiaries in other Barangays in Zamboanga City.

The Comprehensive Program for Sama-Bajau is on its 4^th year pilot implementation in Barangays Sangali, Tulungatong, Arena Blanco, Bolong, Mampang, Mulu-Muluan, Muti, Maasin, Sinunuc, Sangali, Baliwasan, Campo Islam and Taluksangay. This aims to enhance the potential or the capacities of Sama-Bajau so they will not resort to their negative practices, particularly begging. The program offers Educational Assistance, Livelihood, Cash-for-Work, skills training and learning sessions focused on parenting skills and values re-orientation.