Government continues to uplift the condition of Marawi IDPs

government continues to provide several business and livelihood opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Marawi City, a Palace official said on Monday, September 11.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said IDPs were provided with short courses on baking, processed food production and dressmaking as part of the interventions the government has been doing to bring the Islamic city back on its feet.

“Around 775 slots were offered in various skills trainings completed last week,” Abella said during the regular Mindanao Hour press briefing in Malacañan.

He added that IDPs who intended to continue with their businesses were given raw materials and were provided with opportunity to showcase their products.

Abella said such as malongs in the Kahimunan Trade Fair in Cagayan De Oro and GO Negosyo Center in Iligan through the Provincial Government of Lanao Del Norte.

The Palace official said the Task Force Bangon Marawi Sub-Committee on Business and Livelihood is working on the establishment of a “Little Padian sa Iligan”, which is a tiangge where the IDPs could sell their products.

In the same briefing, Abella in his statement on the 16th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, said the Philippine government stands united with other nations in fighting global terrorism and groups who espouse “bigotry, fanaticism and anarchy”.

He noted that the country’s domestic issue of ending the Marawi siege is already “in its last miles.”

“To stop the spread of terrorist ideology, we are working as one nation, pouring resources and infrastructure development in Mindanao while pursuing peace talks with the Moro rebels and pushing for legislation the creation of a Bangsamoro region within the sovereignty of the Republic.

Let us continue to remain united in our concerted effort to defeat terrorism,” he said.