DepED-ARMM to repair damaged schools in Marawi

By Noel Punzalan  

COTABATO CITY—The education department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is eyeing the immediate repair of seven damaged public schools in Marawi City. 

The repair, along with the rehabilitation of 54 other schools across the province of Lanao del Sur, is estimated to cost over P34-million, said Alfhadar Pajiji, Department of Education–ARMM assistant secretary.

Post-conflict assessment conducted by DepED-ARMM identified the seven schools in Marawi as the Matampay Elementary School; Tampilong Elementary School; Datu Saber Elementary School;

Basak Elementary School; Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School; Pandi Elementary School; and the Marawi City National High School.

Pajiji said the schools have been cleared by military authorities and are ready for classes once repaired.

On Wednesday, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman visited Marawi and led the distribution of relief goods at the Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School.

Hataman said the regional government would closely work with DepED-ARMM to speed up the repair and rehabilitation of the schools.

The May 23-Oct. 23 clashes between government troops and members of the joint Abu Sayyaf-Maute terror group has displaced over 200,000 residents in Marawi, some 60,000 of whom are students enrolled at various levels in public and private schools, as well as those in private colleges and the Mindanao State University.

This developed as Barangay Chairperson Cairon Dimatingcal of Lumbac Madaya has expressed willingness to donate her 1.5-hectare land for the establishment of a new barangay, hall, health center and a day care center in the adjacent village of Malimono.

“I am willing to give my piece of land in Malimono for the use of the villagers there,” she said in vernacular during Wednesday’s dialogue and consultation forum facilitated by Task Force Bangon Marawi in that city.

Lumbac Madaya is a recipient of the ARMM-Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS) flagship program that targets a more coordinated and focused intervention at the local level to achieve maximum impact of government services.

ARMM-HELPS was supposed to turnover community projects such as a barangay hall, women's center, and learning center to Lumbac Madaya but was stalled by Marawi conflict.

Dimatingcal said her land donation would help much the villagers of Malimono to restart their new lives.

The ARMM government has allotted P450-million this year for the rehabilitation of Marawi, with an additional P930-M for 2018. (PNA)

Young Moros sell shirts to raise fund for Marawi IDPs

SARANGANI PROVINCE -- A group of young Moro volunteers has been selling shirts as its initiative to raise funds that benefits the Maranaos displaced by the Marawi siege. 

“This is our way of helping Maranao brothers and sisters displaced due to the armed confrontation in Marawi City,” said Bai Ashrafia Alonto Biruar, one of the conveners of We Are Marawi Fundraiser Team, in an interview.

On May 23, 2017, the combined forces of Abu Sayaff and Maute Terror Groups staged an attack in Marawi City which prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare Martial Law in Mindanao.

She said the social media is a big help in promoting the fundraising drive.

“After posting it on facebook, we got positive response, more orders from here and abroad suddenly came,” Biruar added.

She said the "We Are Marawi" shirts are currently being produced in the cities of Cotabato, Iligan and Davao.

The volunteers have already brought two batches of relief goods to the IDPs staying in Lanao del Norte.

“We were able to give food packs, prayer mats, prayer dress, hygienic kits and toys for the children,” Biruar related.

The group, which is comprised of young Moro professionals and students, is contemplating of coming up with new design for the shirt with more active and positive slogan.

Biruar is optimistic that the battle in Marawi will end soon.

The team also urge the public to help in rebuilding the town which is also known as the only Islamic City in the Philippines.

The shirt can be viewed in facebook using hashtag #wearemarawi. The item costs PHP299 with different sizes available for adult and children. It was designed by Ameen Andrew Alonto, an artist, photographer and peace advocate. (PNA)#salam