More aid reach 1,900 displaced families in Lanao del Sur

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (August 5, 2017) - More than a thousand families displaced by the siege in the City of Marawi benefited from the relief goods delivered by government authorities in Lanao del Sur on Thursday (August 3), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the Personnel of the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) of the ARMM and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development transported 1,900 sacks of rice and goods for the benefit of thousands of displaced families taking refuge in Bubong in the nearby province of Lanao del Sur. Government personnel were assisted by troops of the Joint Task Force Marawi and the police in delivering said goods. About 2,700 displaced families are temporarily sheltered at established centers in Bubong municipality.

Cpt. Petinglay said that present were ARMM Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong and Mayor Alfair Mundir of Bubong Municipality. Mundir thanked the government for the additional assistance extended to the families who are affected by the conflict. Bubong is approximately 30 kilometers from the besieged city. Residents of the said municipality claimed they are affected by the siege with the limited road access.

"Now, we have to take the way around Lake Lanao and pay atleast Php500.00 for our fare to Iligan City,” said Jabber Mama, a resident of Bubong, married, with five children, and seller of gravel in Marawi. "Before, we only spend Php50.00 for the fare."

Mama added that most residents sell gravel in Marawi City to sustain their living.

“Sana matulungan rin po kami ng gobyerno at ng mga tao para makatanggap rin kami ng relief goods dahil nawalan rin po kami ng kabuhayan (We pray that the government and the people will help us because we also lost our means of livelihood),” said Alikhan Pandiin, married, with four children, and a resident of Bubong.

Cpt. Petinglay further said that the ARMM-HEART operates under the supervision of Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman. They sent half-sacks of rice and some goods for the evacuees. The Joint Task Group Ranao under Brigadier General Rey, led the convoy of 24 vehicles to Bubong.

"We will continue to assist government agencies in the delivery of their goods to areas which are now considered far flung, after fighting in Marawi erupted," said Brigadier General Ramiro Rey, Commander of the Task Group Ranao.

"The Commander Western Mindanao Command, Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez Jr., gave guidance for us to prioritize support to any humanitarian programs that seek to aid the internally displaced families affected by the conflict in Marawi."