Mindanaotoday.com | OPAPRU holds dialogue with Marawi IDPs to nurture peace
By; Claire R. Gigje
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – As part of sustaining their peace efforts here, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has once again reached out to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) dwelling in Lake View Transitory Shelter in Brgy. Boganga by conducting a peace conversation to assess and look into their current situation.
More than 50 women, youths, and 30 kids participated in this event.
IDP Raisah Bangonan, living in the covered temporary shelter, expressed how delighted she was to be visited. She showed an overwhelming feeling after OPAPRU spent some time with them, saying this was crucial, especially since they were still in the recovery stage.
“Nabigyan niyo kami ng kasiyahan at nabuksan ang puso namin sa mga aral ng nakaraang siege,” said Bangonan.
(You gave us happiness, and our hearts are open to the lessons of the previous siege.)
Other IDPs from the same shelter, Muslimah Lala and Janisah Abato, thanked the OPAPRU for the concern and love it conveyed through its recent activity as this signified that they were still seen as relevant.
“Importante sa amin ang pagpunta nila dito kasi hindi naman palagi na may pumuntang agency dito,” said Abato.
(Their visit to us is significant because agencies do not always come here.)
The peace conversation allowed the target population to share and address their concerns as they struggled to survive in an impermanent site.
For Bangonan, it was her prayer that they would be assisted in formalizing their established cooperative, which started two years ago and has 12 members now.
She stated this group has significantly contributed to alleviating their lives as they underwent a tough life wherein they could barely eat thrice a day, and their students did not have sufficient supplies.
This was affirmed by Lala, who hoped the government’s support would help the group they founded years ago and the lives of the rest of their fellow residents.
“Kami dito ay bihira lang bisitahin. Hindi kami active sa ibang agency kaya baka pwede isali niyo kami sa mga tutulungan ng kahit anong agency na maaaring makatulong po sa amin,” she said.
(We are rarely visited here. We are not active in other agencies, that is why, if possible, we will be helped out by any agency that can help us.)
Apart from conversing with the IDPs, various aids were distributed, including mukna or prayer clothes, school supplies, hygiene kits, and food packs. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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