ARMM turns over P20-million public market in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur

Marawi City (September 12, 2018) – A P20-million public market built by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur was turned over to the local government on September 9.

ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman led the transfer ceremony of the 1,200 square-meter market, which has both wet and dry areas catering to those displaced by the 2017 Marawi Siege. Currently, Saguiaran hosts almost a thousand families from neighboring Marawi City.

Saguiaran mayor Macmod Muti said the establishment of a public market in his town will not just provide livelihood for internally displaced persons (IDPs) but will also resolve the vehicular traffic problem in the municipality.

“Malaking tulong ang pagpapatayo ng public market dahil kailangang kailangan natin ito. Bukod sa matutulungan natin ang mga IDPs ng Marawi, malulutas din nito ang matinding traffic sa Saguiaran dahil mayroon nang isahan na palengke,” he said. “Marami ang mga nag-bakwit dito sa amin sa Saguiaran kaya ginagawa namin ang lahat para marespondehan ang pangangailangan ng lahat,” he added.

In response, Gov. Hataman said the public market is just one of the projects of the regional government in Saguiaran. “Sinabi ko kay Mayor na maghanap pa tayo ng mas malaking lupain para i-develop natin, dahil buhay na buhay na yung komersyo dito sa Saguiaran,” the governor said.

During the event, Gov. Hataman also thanked the chairmen of two barangays for donating lots for ARMM’s housing projects. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga Barangay Captain ng Lumbaca Toros at Pagalamatan dahil sila ang nagpapakita ng gawain ng isang mabuting Muslim. Tinuturo sa Islam na kapag nasaktan ang isang kalingkingan natin, buong katawan ay nakakaramdam nito,” Gov. Hataman said.

“Ang mga makakatanggap ng pabahay na mga ito ay yung mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan. Yung mga nandyan sa mga tent at gymnasium na nagtitiis na sa mahigit isang taon magmula ng mag-umpisa ang giyera,” he added.

Anticipating ARMM’s transition to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the governor instructed the agencies involved in response efforts for Marawi IDPs to fast track the regional government’s pending projects. (By JONG CADION with Bureau of Public Information)