Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran is welcome anew in Iloilo City after Mayor Jerry Treñas issued Executive Order (EO) No. 88, revoking the persona non grata declaration on Thursday, July 13.

“Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran both apologized for the mix-up in the arrival of 80 Badjaos in Iloilo and it was later disclosed that certain lapses in the lack of coordination with the Iloilo City government were not solely attributable to Vice Mayor Familiaran,” read part of the EO that was furnished to the media.

Treñas declared Familiaran persona non grata on June 23 due to the “uncoordinated transfer” of the Badjaos, hence the Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) was unprepared for their arrival.

CSWDO head Teresa Gelogo, in an interview yesterday, said their office continues to round up the remaining Badjaos who are roaming the city, although they have yet to determine if they have long been staying in the city.

She added that the city government wants them back to their place of origin after reports that they were seen begging or they turn violent when no one gives them alms.

The city government assisted in the return of 77 Badjaos to their places of origin last month, with some of them were from the group that came from Bacolod.

Benitez thanked Treñas for lifting the declaration.

“We are moving forward. Whatever happens, we will take it as a learning process,” he told reporters yesterday.

Earlier, Familiaran said it was “God’s will” that the Iloilo City mayor lifted the declaration. (PNA)