The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its concerned Field ​O​ffices​ (FOs)​ in Mindanao, has started to provide relief assistance today in the form of family food packs (FFPs) and food and non-food items (FNFIs) to families affected by the ongoing armed operation in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and members of the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who have pledged allegiance to the international terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

DSWD FO in Region XII will deliver 20,000 FFPs; 20,000 pieces of malong; 3,000 pieces of hygiene kits; 3,000 plastic mats; 1,000 high-energy biscuits; 1,000 bottled mineral water; and 20 rolls (at 100 meters per roll) of laminated sacks today to the newly opened operations center in the Municipality of Malabang.

Likewise, the Department’s FO​ in Region X has started assisting the displaced families who took refuge in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte, while FO XI has prepared the food packs prepositioned in the region and ensured the availability of evacuation centers or safe areas where tents can be installed to assist families who may evacuate to the region.

The Department, through its Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) and the National Resource Operations Center (NROC), is also preparing to send 10,000 additional food packs, food and non-food items, and tents in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

According to the 8AM report of the DSWD-DReAMB, the armed conflict has displaced residents at 10 barangays in Marawi City, including Marawi Poblacion (Sarimanok Road), Basak Malutlut, Bangon, Tuca, Calocan East, Marinaut West and East, Kilala, Lilud Madaya, and Banggolo.

The affected families are currently taking refuge in families’ and friends’ houses as well as in newly-opened evacuation centers in Iligan City and in nearby municipalities of Lanao del Sur and Lanao Del Norte.

The identified evacuation centers include the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol in Buadi Sacayo, Marawi City; Gymnasium of the School of Fisheries in Buru-un, Iligan City; Poblacion Barangay Hall in the Municipality of Saguiaran; and the Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology in Tibanga, Iligan City. Affected families may also take refuge in Gomampong Ali Gymnasium in Poblacion and Daycare Center, Brgy. Pacalundo, both in Municipality of Baloi.

“The DSWD continues to coordinate closely with its field offices in Regions X, XI, and XII, as well as with Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Vice Governor and the region’s DSWD Secretary Moy Lucman for any significant updates on the affected population, displaced families, and any need for relief and augmentation assistance,” DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said.

The Secretary also encouraged the public to show care and compassion to the affected families, just like what some residents in Lanao del Norte did as they gave free food and water to families who arrived in the province last night from Marawi City.

“Lahat po tayo ay may tungkuling tumulong sa ating kapwa. Magpakita tayo ng malasakit. Hinihikayat po natin ang ating mga publiko na tulungan ang ating mga kababayan na apektado ng krisis na ito sa kanilang sariling paraan (We all have the responsibility to help our fellow Filipinos. We are encouraging the public to show compassion by helping those who have been affected by this crisis, in any way that they can),” she said.

Sec. Taguiwalo is also calling for food and non-food donations for the affected families through the help of various civil society organizations. The Tongtongan ti Umili – Cordillera Peoples Alliance (TTU-CPA), a multi-sectoral network of people’s organizations in Metro Baguio, for instance, is calling for donations from Baguio.

The public may drop-off their donations at the TTU-CPA office at 55 Middle Ferguson Rd, Baguio City. For more information, they may contact the Tongtongan ti Umili Secretariat at074 422 9754, or at 0921 404 8639.###