Children continue to scavenge at Inayawan landfill

CEBU, Philippines - Despite being barred by the Cebu City Government, minors are still seen at the Inayawan landfill scavenging for scrap in the hopes of earning money.

Department of Social Welfare and Services Officer Ester Concha said they already offered feeding programs in public schools, including the Inayawan Elementary School, where most of these children go, to keep them away from scavenging.

“This is why we have the feeding program para di na ni sila mamasura. Kay mangadto ra man ni sila sa basurahan para naay mapalit og pagkaon,” said Concha. (They go to the landfill to find money for food.)

Some of these school-age children would go there with consent from their parents.

Jomar Zafra, 14, and his brother Jay, 13, are one of the regulars at the Inayawan Landfill. Jomar was in grade four at the Inayawan Elementary School when he stopped due to financial constraints while his younger brother was still in grade three when he also opted to just work at the landfill for money.

The boys said they usually earn P200-300 in two days, which they give to their mother. Their mother would then give them P20 each which they use for playing computer games.

When The FREEMAN visited the landfill recently, there were still a number of children of Jomar’s age picking up items. A guard said they already put wire mesh as perimeter fence but these boys cut a hole big enough for them to pass through when the roving guard is not sight.

Concha said with the situation they will give seminars to the parents on how to bring their children back to school. She said a facility just like the community scout center where streetchildren are brought would better serve these children.

She said even those the children they bring to the community scout center are back on the streets even before authorities could step back in their offices. — (FREEMAN)