The Current Situation. The seas of change have left the Bajau in a world in which they are challenged to adapt. Commercialization and tourism have left their once rich fishing grounds depleted. The conflicts of religious and political extremists have added strain leaving few areas for them to continue their peaceful existence. The nomadic Bajau have responded by leaving their home seas in search of better opportunities. Many of the Bajau have sought refuge in place like Cebu, Palawan, and Luzon.
Over 20,000 Bajau have escaped the difficult circumstances in Mindanao and migrated to Luzon in search of a new life. Although the Bajau are master craftsmen and seamen, their skills are difficult to utilize in today’s globalized society. Many of the Bajau present in Luzon live on the streets of cities, such as Manila, begging and vending pearls to buy the day’s food. The Philippine government is addressing the situation by providing services such as conditional cash transfer programs in an attempt to help stabilize the population and encourage the children to participate in formal schooling. GLIM has spent the last decade side-by-side its public and private partners in the creation and advocacy of programming to assist the gentle Bajau.
.jpg)