• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas issued an executive order declaring Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran persona non grata for alleged lack of coordination in the transfer of about 80 Badjaos or sea gypsies to Dumangas Port on June 23.
Familiaran, on his part said he lost his respect for Treñas for declaring him persona non grata without investigating the matter first. He added that he cannot tolerate being called “stupid” in public.
It was the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) that arranged for the transfer of the Badjaos to Mindanao. If they passed by Dumangas, he had control over it, he said.
In a statement, Treñas said he is “very disappointed for the lack of proper coordination on the part of Familiaran regarding this matter.”
“As a leader himself, he is expected to observe proper measures as a sign of respect to other local government units,” he added.
Aside from the statement he posted on social media, the Iloilo City mayor was also quoted by the Iloilo media as saying, “I cannot think of how stupid a local government can become, they must resolve this issue themselves. The stupidity of a government official is shown by his actions. I cannot imagine how stupid these officials have become.”
Even Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez apologized for the lapses that occurred, Familiaran added.
He pointed out that he even mentioned the proper protocols the DSSD should observe during his media interviews.
He also attempted to communicate with Treñas concerning the matter but changed his mind after the mayor issued statements against him.
In an official statement, Benitez said the 80 Badjaos were rounded up by the Bacolod Anti Mendicancy Task Force together with the police and barangay captains of several barangays in the Reclamation area following a complaint from a security guard of a warehouse.
After an evaluation conducted by the DSSD, majority of the Badjao families requested to be sent back to their place of origin. So, the city paid for their transportation fare via Ro-Ro, he said.
However, due to the large number of families handled by the task force, it failed to properly coordinate with the Province of Iloilo, Benitez said.
He apologized to the local government of Iloilo and to Treñas for the blunder and assured that they won’t make the same mistake in the future.*
