Interventions to Improve the Quality of Life of the Badjaos In Batangas City, Philippines

This study assessed the effectiveness of the implementation of the programs intended for the Badjaos in Batangas City. Likewise, the problems encountered in the implementation became the bases in the formulation of the proposed intervention to enhance the implementation of the programs in order to improve the quality of their lives. It employed descriptive correlation design supported by interviews and observation techniques. Respondents were 156 from barangays Wawa and Malitam selected through convenience sampling. Results revealed that the Batangas City government effectively implemented massive birth registration, maximum hospital discounts, supplemental feeding program and EBD Health card; however, less effective on practical skills development and burial assistance. The implementation of the programs on health and education resulted to a great extent of impact on the quality of life of the Badjaos. On the other hand, to a least extent of impact were felt on reduction of teenage pregnancy, practical skills development and cash for work programs. Also, the respondents had often encountered problems on unavailability of funds to sustain the programs and poor or limited community participation. The effectiveness of the implementation of the programs affected the impact on the quality of life of the Badjaos and the problems they often encountered. Therefore, a plan of action containing interventions to enhance the implementation of the programs to improve the quality of life of the Badjaoswas proposed.

Keywords: Badjaos in Batangas City, Indigenous Peoples (Ips), QOL of the Badjaos