ARMM housing project marks new beginning for Marawi IDPs

Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur (August 10, 2018) – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman led the turnover ceremony of a 36-unit housing project for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Lumbaca Toros, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur today, August 10. 

“Isa sa mga goals ng regional governmentay kahit paunti-unti, dapat klaro yung direksyon natin na mabawasan natin sana yung mga nakatira sa mga evacuation centers at mga tents habang inaayos yung ground zero dahil years ang bibilangin natin sa pagsasaayos ng lugar na yun,” said Gov. Hataman.

Among the recipients of the housing project are Daud Radia, 65, and his wife Inday, 62. Before the Marawi seige last year, Daud was a driver, while Inday worked as a tailor. “Hindi kami mayaman, pero noon, mayroon kaming sariling bahay,” Inday said.

After the displacement brought by the siege, the couple with their four children, found refuge in a small lot in Lumbaca Toros, an area where a tent city was built for displaced families. Being highly dependent on relief goods provided by the government and without a stable job, the 62-year old driver could no longer work since his license has expired and he has no sufficient money to have his license renewed.

Living inside a tent for a year, Inday said they are constantly worried about their situation – especially for their grandchildren. “Basta umuulan, umiiyak ang mga bata. Natatakot na kasi sila dahil noon, nabagsakan ng kahoy ang tentnamin dahil sa lakas ng hangin,” she recalled. Now that the Radia family has moved from a tent to a housing unit, the couple has gained peace of mind.

“Hindi kami nakakahiga sa kama noon. Matanda na kami, kaya mahirap na ang humiga sa banig. Ngayong may bahay na kami ulit, mas safe na ang pamilya namin at maginhawa na ang buhay namin,” Inday said.

Daud’s plan is to save money to have his license renewed to jump start the family’s income. “Hindi ko na poproblemahin ang pang-araw-araw namin. Panatag ako sa asawa’t mga anak ko,” he said.  Inday, on the other hand, will return to tailoring as soon as the family settles down to its new home. “Parang bagong buhay sa amin ito. Iba na ang lugar, pero sa tulong ng gobyerno, makakabalik kami sa kung ano ang buhay namin noon,” she said.

The new housing project is part of the regional government’s objective to build homes for families displaced by the siege in Marawi. Another housing project with 144 units in Barangay Pantaon, Saguiaran, also for IDPs, will soon be completed.

Gov. Hataman encouraged the IDPs to keep the faith since Islam teaches that with every hardship comes ease. “Sa Islam ganoon ho ang paniniwala, habang mayroong sakuna, palaging mayroong bago at kagandahan ang bukas,” he said.

The regional chief executive has assured displaced residents that government agencies are united in the endeavor to rebuild Marawi. “Hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa lalo’t lahat ng istruktura ng gobyerno ay nagtutulong-tulong ngayon,”he said. (Bureau of Public Information)

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